Volume 11, Number 1 • Spring 2003 • Advanced Technologies

KSC Hosts Environmental Technology Demonstration

New methods of environmental cleanup are explained during a presentation to government and business representatives, scientists and engineers at Launch Complex 34-A, Cape Canaveral Spaceport. At left is Laura Filipek, a University of Central Florida graduate chemistry student involved in the science. Photo courtesy of Kennedy Space Center.

In early November, almost 200 representatives from government, industry and academia toured the Launch Complex 34 (LC-34) remediation site at the Cape Canaveral Spaceport to gather more information on Kennedy Space Center’s new environmental cleanup technologies. Participants were given the opportunity to view technology demonstrations and speak with innovators about the NASA innovation. Representatives of the US Environmental Protection Agency were also on hand for demonstrations of two technologies that are part of the EPA’s Superfund Innovative Technology Evaluation (SITE) program.

During the early history of the space program, areas of LC-34 were polluted with solvents used to clean Apollo rocket parts. The solvents were classified as dense non-aqueous phase liquids (DNAPLs). Left untreated in the ground, DNAPLs were able to contaminate fresh water sources.

The touring group of national and international participants viewed remediation demonstration zones at the LC-34 site and heard presentations on two of the remediation technologies being used. One of the technologies is now available for licensing through KSC’s Innovative Technology Transfer Partnership Office.

“What makes these new technologies so attractive is that they are relatively affordable and easy to implement,” said Dr. Jackie Quinn, the NASA Environmental Engineer who heads the project. “These spin-offs could help clean up polluted areas across the nation and the world.”

The technologies are Emulsified Zero-Valent Iron (EZVI) and bioaugmentation using KB1, a naturally occurring microbial species. Quinn is a co-inventor of EZVI with three University of Central Florida professors and a graduate student. GeoSyntec and the University of Toronto developed KB1 as part of the NASA Small Business Innovative Research program.

Simply put, the EZVI technology uses iron particles in an environmentally friendly oil-and-water base to neutralize DNAPLs. Through KB1 bioaugmentation, microorganisms are added to a DNAPL-contaminated site to create the right mix of microorganisms that will render contaminating
chemicals harmless. Thousands of sites across the world face problems with DNAPL contamination. The EPA has reported that DNAPLs are present at 60 to 70 percent of all sites on the Superfund National Priorities List.

DNAPL contamination sites may include those created by dye and paint manufacturers, dry cleaners, chemical manufacturers, metal cleaning and degreasing facilities, leather-tanning facilities, pharmaceutical manufacturers, adhesive and aerosol manufacturers, and government facilities. Q

For more information, contact Brian Sauser at the KSC Technology Commercialization Office, T: 321/861-7157, Brian.Sauser-1@ksc.nasa.gov. Please mention you read about it in Innovation.

NASA Official: Jonathan Root • Web Design: Printing & Design Office, NASA Headquarters • Credits