Known for its cutting-edge technology and innovative approach to problem solving, Missouri University of Science and Technology is partnering with the City of Rolla on a project involving a newly designed Baffled Bioreactor.
You may be asking yourself what exactly is a Baffled Bioreactor, and what is it used for. The new technology was invented by Missouri S&T Professor Dr. Jianmin Wang, who through his local company Frontier Environmental Technology,LLC, has created and patented a very effective mobile sewer treatment system that uses remarkably little power to operate. The Deployable Baffled Bioreactor (DBBR) transforms wastewater into reusable water at a fraction of the energy and maintenance costs of comparable systems thanks to the elimination of external sludge return systems through an innovative, maintenance-free internal sludge return mechanism. The Baffled Bioreactor (BBR) principle improves the conventional activated sludge process by using baffles to create a unique flow pattern within the reactor to retain biomass. The technology will provide low energy use, minimum maintenance, a small footprint, and advanced effluent quality at wastewater treatment plants.
The City was so impressed with the new technology and its potential use in treating wastewater that a proto-type Baffled Bioreactor was installed several months ago at the City’s Southeast Treatment Plant (located off Hwy. 72 South). The system, which also serves as a hands-on demonstration unit, is working very well pulling a load of the inflow, treating it, and releasing it at standards that exceed current discharge requirements established by Department of Natural Resources (DNR).
Much of the development funding (over $1 million) for the Baffle Bioreactor came from the Leonard Wood Institute (LWI) due to its potential for use in the military as a mobile and efficient way of treating wastewater. The BBR can be deployed as a single metal shipping container, which offers exceptional mobility, treatment efficiency, and effectiveness. Dr. Wang’s company, together with Barry White, Program Manager of Missouri S&T’s Small Business Technology Development Center (S.B.T.D.C.), is working with the LWI to assist with the proto-types, which is what helped establish the two pilot programs at the City’s Southeast Treatment Plant.
After working together for months with Dr. Wang and Barry White, the City’s Public Works staff, including Steve Hargis, Director, and Alen McNece, Wastewater Superintendent, the City was asked about the feasibility of putting a another pilot program in the Rolla community. These discussions resulted in City staff partnering again with Dr. Wang, Missouri S&T’s Small Business Technology Development Center and the Missouri Department of Natural Resources on an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) “Climate Showcase Communities” grant application. The grant project focuses on environmental stewardship and energy conservation. Due to the great teamwork by Dr. Wang and Tim Canter of Frontier Environmental Technology; Barry White of SBTDC; and Steve Hargis, Allen McNece and Anne McClay with the City’s Public Works Department, the grant application was completed with less than three weeks notice.
The total estimated cost of the project is $643,244 (possible EPA grant of $429,000). The City’s in-kind contribution would be $124,000, which would primarily be in on-site work and follow-up environmental monitoring of the sewer treatment discharge. A small residential area in the community with a lift station would be the proposed site. Aside from an environmentally friendly sewer treatment pilot program, the real value to the City would be the successful launching of this business venture in Rolla.
In closing I’d like to extend a warm welcome to all the students who will be starting school this fall in Rolla. The first day of school for Rolla Public School students is Tuesday, Aug. 17. The first day of school for Missouri S&T students is Monday, Aug. 23. With the influx of thousands of students who use our streets, sidewalks and crosswalks, please use caution while driving in and around the college and school zones. And don’t forget that second annual Bulldog Pride Night will be held on Friday, Aug. 27 at 6 p.m. at Rolla High School prior to the opening Football game of the season for the Bulldogs. Kick-off for the game is 7 p.m.
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