FLOATING PHOTOCATALYST FOR WASTEWATER TREATMENT

FLOATING PHOTOCATALYST FOR WASTEWATER TREATMENT ID# 2024-066

HIGHLIGHTS

● High Efficiency: Lab testing showed up to 91% degradation of organic pollutants of industry concern such as naphthenic acids after 6 hours of sunlight and no mixing.

● Floatable, Reusable and Reliable: Floatable and designed for durability and ease of recovery. Strong catalyst-pumice bonds maintain performance over multiple cycles

● Scalable Process: Easily produced in large quantities for industrial use, offering a sustainable way to treat wastewater at scale.

OPPORTUNITY This innovative technology combines the proven photocatalytic power of zinc oxide with natural pumice, creating a simple additive for passive or active water treatment processes. Naturally buoyant, they use sunlight to break down molecules that would otherwise resist UV or visible light treatment. Their crush-free production process scalability for the manufacturer and easy recovery and reuse for the client. Strong catalyst-pumice bonds maintain performance across multiple cycles. Lab tests under simulated sunlight showed up to a 90% reduction in naphthenic acids and aromatics. Microtox® bioassay tests against untreated water showed a 50% reduction in acute toxicity. As industries strive to balance operational costs with environmental stewardship and sustainability, this invention offers strong market and commercial potential.

COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGE

● Ready for Scale: The fabrication process is simple and scalable, making it a practical solution for large-scale industrial wastewater treatment. Avoids crushing unit operations.

● Effective: Laboratory testing showed up to 91.5% reduction in harmful organics. Preliminary outdoor tests showed over 70% reduction.

● Recoverable & Reliable: Larger size and buoyancy facilitate recovery. The strong bond between zinc oxide and pumice ensures the material lasts through multiple cycles. Reducing operating costs STATUS

● Provisional US patent application filed

● Publication pending

INVENTORS ● Mohamed Galal Gamal El-Din ● Monsuru Abiodun Suara

MORE INFORMATION Paul-Emile Trudeau Technology Management Officer Technology Transfer Services, University of Alberta trudeau@ualberta.ca 780.265.1141