Abstract: A method for reacting a liquid phase chemical species includes the steps of providing liquid phase containing at least one liquid phase chemical species, providing a gas phase, and providing a reactor vessel for containing the liquid phase and the gas phase. The liquid phase and the gas phase are placed in the reactor vessel so as to form a liquid-gas interface between the liquid phase and the gas phase within the reactor vessel. A pulsed discharge cathode and anode are provided for creating a pulsed discharge electric field at the liquid-gas interface. A pulsed power input to the pulsed discharge cathode and anode is provided, thereby creating a plasma comprising ions at the liquid-gas interface. A secondary electric field is directed transverse to the liquid-gas interface, wherein the secondary electric field will drive ions from the gas phase into the liquid phase to react with the liquid phase species.

Abstract: Bioreactors and associated methods are provided herein including bioreactors capable of treating water contaminated with 1,4-dioxane. In certain embodiments, a bioreactor is disclosed and may include an adsorbent layer with a biofilm capable of metabolizing 1,4-dioxane and a screen disposed downstream of the adsorbent layer configured to retain detached biofilm.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to systems and methods for removing trichloroethane (TCA), trichloroethene (TCE), and 1,4-dioxane (1,4-D) from contaminated water and wastewater. The system and methods relying on catalyst reduction of TCA and TCE, and the reduced products are degraded by microorganisms that are capable of biodegrading ethane and 1,4-D. In certain embodiments, a catalyst film comprises precious nanoparticles with diameters of 5-40 nm and a biofilm comprising microorganisms that are capable of degrading ethane and 1,4-D are used in a dual-reactor system to remove TCA, TCE, and 1,4-D from contaminated water and wastewater.

Abstract: A reactor system for reacting liquid phase chemical species in a liquid includes a reactor vessel for containing the liquid phase and a gas phase. The reactor vessel can have a gas injection port, a gas exit port, and a liquid-gas interface location within the reactor vessel. A pulsed discharge cathode and anode are provided for creating a pulsed discharge electric field at the liquid-gas interface location. A pulsed discharge power supply delivers a pulsed power input to the pulsed discharge cathode and anode, and thereby creates a plasma comprising ions at the liquid-gas interface location. A secondary electric field source is provided for directing a secondary electric field transverse to the liquid-gas interface. The secondary electric field will drive some of the ions from the gas phase into the liquid phase to react with the liquid phase chemical species. A method for reacting a liquid phase chemical species is also disclosed.

Abstract: Systems and methods for treating a metal or metalloid ion-contaminated liquid are provided. The method may include (i) feeding the metal or metalloid ion-contaminated liquid into a bioelectrochemical reactor containing a bacteria selected by the cathode to produce extracellular metal or metalloid nanoparticles; and (ii) operating the bioelectrochemical reactor anaerobically to reduce the metal or metalloid ions in the metal or metalloid ion-contaminated liquid to extracellular metal or metalloid nanoparticles. The method may further include separating the metal or metalloid nanoparticles from the bacteria with no energy input. A bioelectrochemical reactor system for production of extracellular metal and metalloid nanoparticles may include a bioelectrochemical reactor, a separation device, and a tangential flow filtration unit.

Abstract: A reactor system for reacting liquid phase chemical species in a liquid includes a reactor vessel for containing the liquid phase and a gas phase. The reactor vessel can have a gas injection port, a gas exit port, and a liquid-gas interface location within the reactor vessel. A pulsed discharge cathode and anode are provided for creating a pulsed discharge electric field at the liquid-gas interface location. A pulsed discharge power supply delivers a pulsed power input to the pulsed discharge cathode and anode, and thereby creates a plasma comprising ions at the liquid-gas interface location. A secondary electric field source is provided for directing a secondary electric field transverse to the liquid-gas interface. The secondary electric field will drive some of the ions from the gas phase into the liquid phase to react with the liquid phase chemical species. A method for reacting a liquid phase chemical species is also disclosed.

Abstract: A reactor system for reacting liquid phase chemical species in a liquid includes a reactor vessel for containing the liquid phase and a gas phase. The reactor vessel can have a gas injection port, a gas exit port, and a liquid-gas interface location within the reactor vessel. A pulsed discharge cathode and anode are provided for creating a pulsed discharge electric field at the liquid-gas interface location. A pulsed discharge power supply delivers a pulsed power input to the pulsed discharge cathode and anode, and thereby creates a plasma comprising ions at the liquid-gas interface location. A secondary electric field source is provided for directing a secondary electric field transverse to the liquid-gas interface. The secondary electric field will drive some of the ions from the gas phase into the liquid phase to react with the liquid phase chemical species. A method for reacting a liquid phase chemical species is also disclosed.

Abstract: A mixture comprising liquid water, a gas and at least one organic compound are injected into a non-thermal gas-liquid plasma discharge reactor to generate a flowing liquid film region with a gas stream flowing alongside. A plasma discharge is propagated along the flowing liquid film region. Water is dissociated and reactive species such as hydroxyl radicals, hydrogen peroxide and nitrogen oxides are formed. The organic compound reacts with the reactive species such as hydroxyl radicals and hydrogen peroxide present in the flowing liquid film region and in the flowing gas stream to produce organic compound dissociation products. At least some organic compound dissociation products and nitrogen oxides are transferred to a bioreactor for further degradation of organic compounds. The nitrogen oxides are used as nutrients for bacteria in the bioreactor. Feedback control of the plasma reactor is based on conditions detected and determined in the biological reactor.

Abstract: Systems and methods for treating a metal or metalloid ion-contaminated liquid are provided. The method may include (i) feeding the metal or metalloid ion-contaminated liquid into a bioelectrochemical reactor containing a bacteria selected by the cathode to produce extracellular metal or metalloid nanoparticles; and (ii) operating the bioelectrochemical reactor anaerobically to reduce the metal or metalloid ions in the metal or metalloid ion-contaminated liquid to extracellular metal or metalloid nanoparticles. The method may further include separating the metal or metalloid nanoparticles from the bacteria with no energy input. A bioelectrochemical reactor system for production of extracellular metal and metalloid nanoparticles may include a bioelectrochemical reactor, a separation device, and a tangential flow filtration unit.

Abstract: A mixture comprising liquid water, a gas and at least one organic compound are injected into a non-thermal gas-liquid plasma discharge reactor to generate a flowing liquid film region with a gas stream flowing alongside. A plasma discharge is propagated along the flowing liquid film region. Water is dissociated and reactive species such as hydroxyl radicals, hydrogen peroxide and nitrogen oxides are formed. The organic compound reacts with the reactive species such as hydroxyl radicals and hydrogen peroxide present in the flowing liquid film region and in the flowing gas stream to produce organic compound dissociation products. At least some organic compound dissociation products and nitrogen oxides are transferred to a bioreactor for further degradation of organic compounds. The nitrogen oxides are used as nutrients for bacteria in the bioreactor. Feedback control of the plasma reactor is based on conditions detected and determined in the biological reactor.