Second-Stage Biological Wastewater Processor

Pancopia proposes the development of a low cost, reliable second-stage biological reactor to remove high levels of nitrogen from the biological wastewater treatment unit (rCOMANDR) unit being developed at Texas Tech University (TTU). Pancopia will partner with TTU to develop the second-stage reactor which has the potential to removing an additional 85% of the nitrogen in wastewater.

Second-stage anammox-based filter can help remove high levels of nitrogen from the effluent of the biological reactor being developed at Texas Tech. A combined system could permit NASA to biologically recycle wastewater to potable water efficiently, reliably, and cost effectively.

Nitrogen removal from municipal wastewater is a multibillion dollar market and anammox-based technology has the potential to decrease cost by two-thirds compared to current treatments. Development of a practical, reliable anammox filter would permit market entry into the estimated 8,000 plus wastewater treatment facilities that must upgrade their nitrogen removal in the next two decades.

This is early/mid-stage (TRL 5) — the most realistic path in is NASA SBIR/STTR, which funds small businesses and research institutions to develop technology aligned with NASA's needs (equity-free, phased funding). Check whether a current SBIR/STTR solicitation topic overlaps with this project's technology area, or contact the project directly (above) to ask.

None of these are guaranteed paths for this specific project — TechPort itself doesn't have an "apply" button. Reaching out to the contact(s) above with a specific question is usually the fastest way to find out what's actually open.