Green Chemistry Challenge: 2021 Small Business Award
XploSafe LLC
PhosRox
XploSafe is recognized for creating PhosRox, a novel sorbent. PhosRox is a single material uniquely capable of simultaneously capturing ammonia, phosphate, and nitrate from wastewater and other contaminated waters and then being applied as a time-release fertilizer.
Summary of Technology:
Excess nitrogen and phosphorus in water systems causes eutrophication, a widespread and costly environmental problem. Eutrophication begins with uncontrolled algae growth that disrupts natural ecosystems by lowering the amount of dissolved oxygen in the water. This leads to reduced water quality, reduced food resources, and the overall collapse of a habitat. Additionally, these algal blooms can be harmful to animals and humans when they consume contaminated fish or water or even inhale water droplets
PhosRox simultaneously removes ammonia, phosphate, and nitrate from aquatic systems and turns it into granules that can be used as a fertilizer. This is accomplished by the combination of various metal-oxides (which can adsorb various nutrients) to create a porous ceramic material. The ability to absorb nitrate is incorporated by an imprinting process whereby a gel containing nitrate ions is formed and is then calcined to a ceramic material, creating pockets with the correct shape and arrangement of metal ions to adsorb nitrate. The manufacture of PhosRox also produces aqueous potassium nitrate as a by-product during the formation of the precursor gel. The potassium nitrate or saltpeter can be used directly in the manufacture of quick-release fertilizers with minimal additional energy input. Since it lowers the dependence on manufactured fertilizer by recycling nutrients, this technology offers sustainable cost and utility advantages over industry-standard biological and chemical treatment solutions. This technology will also help wastewater treatment operators maintain compliance and generate revenue from the sale of nutrient-rich fertilizer. Furthermore, when the sorbent is added to agricultural soils, it will not only release plant nutrients slowly but, in future years, could enhance the nutrient-holding capacity of the soil, preventing fertilizer runoff and protecting the watershed.
Hydra Water Technologies (a technology spin-off from XploSafe) manufactures PhosRox. It is evaluating PhosRox for use in additional settings such as household aquaria, watering ponds, swimming pools, and water features.
Other resources:
Note: Disclaimer
Return to the list of all winners including the 2020 Award Winners.