Welcome to a sampling of environmental 

technologies in action! The U.S. EPA Federal 

Technology Transfer Act (FTTA) Program 

facilitates the transfer of environmental research 

and technologies into the marketplace. This 

catalog shares with you some of the innovative 

ideas that help clean your air, water and land, 

and contribute to a healthy environment. 

The Federal FTTA Program was established 

to promote collaboration between private and 

federal research. EPA offers exceptional opportunities to develop and commercialize new technologies and move technologies newly developed in federal laboratories into our economy. 

Through Cooperative Research and 

Development Agreements, or CRADAs, 

collaborative relationships are established and 

all parties’ intellectual property is protected. 

Licensing Agreements allow outside entities to 

license EPA-patented products and methods and 

quickly introduce them to the marketplace.

Partners in the FTTA Program will have the benefit of collaborating with world class EPA scientists involved in leading-edge research. Through 

FTTA partnerships, our collaborators will have 

access to EPA’s scientific knowledge base and the 

opportunity to work through our laboratories to 

develop and commercialize shared innovations. 

For further information on the broad spectrum 

of technologies available for licensing and further development, please visit http://www.epa.

gov/osp/ftta.htm.
Meeting the Challenge 

Clean, Economical Gasoline Alternatives

Diesel has long been a more fuel-efficient alternative to the standard gasoline-powered 

automobile. Diesel has a typical fuel efficiency improvement of 25 to 40 percent over gasoline. 

Although diesel engines produce less carbon dioxide, they also have been known for emitting 

particulate matter and nitrous oxides (NOx) into the environment. That may be changing with 

EPA’s clean diesel technology, including a new combustion technology developed by Charles 

Gray, David Haugen, and others in EPA’s National Vehicle and Fuel Emissions Laboratory in 

Ann Arbor, Michigan.

Clean diesel combustion (CDC) was developed and patented by 

EPA to maintain diesel’s efficiency while making the engine run 

ultra-clean in a cost-effective manner. CDC produces the lowest 

known engine-out NOx ever achieved by any diesel engine. NOx 

can react in the atmosphere to form ground-level ozone, which 

can be detrimental to human health. This engine produces less 

NOx through a series of design changes to the diesel engine to 

develop in-cylinder NOx control, thereby preventing NOx emissions 

while maintaining or improving engine efficiency. The innovative engine 

design also maintains the economic fuel improvement over gasoline engines. 

Because of CDC’s potential to transform the diesel auto market, Ford Motor Company 

and International Truck and Engine Corporation have joined EPA in cooperative research 

and development agreements to demonstrate the technology. International Truck and 

Engine Corporation has made significant investments in advancing the CDC technology for 

consideration in its product line, and Ford has collaborated with EPA in installing a CDC 

engine in a Ford Galaxy minivan. Said Dr. Gerhard Schmidt, Vice President of Research and 

Advanced Engineering at Ford, “We are pleased to partner with EPA in this effort, recognizing 

that our research results can help meet key challenges facing the automotive industry. Ford’s 

collaboration with EPA accelerates the development of technologies that will potentially enable 

the application of clean diesel engines across many vehicle platforms.”

CDC is one of several emerging clean diesel technologies that promise to meet EPA’s tailpipe 

emission standards and improve fuel economy in cars, SUVs, and trucks. Less than one percent 

of passenger vehicles in the United States currently are powered by diesel engines. In the future, 

however, clean diesel technologies such as CDC may allow more consumers to benefit from 

diesel’s performance, durability and fuel efficiency.

“The innovative design allows an 

average fuel economy improvement of 30 to 

40 percent over gasoline engines and produces 

the lowest known engine-out NOx ever 

achieved by any diesel engine.”

http://www.epa.gov/osp/ftta.htm	 1

Patent Title: Low Emission Diesel Combustion 

System With Low Charge-Air Oxygen Concentration 

Levels and High Fuel Injection Pressures

Patent: 6,857,263

Inventors: Charles L. Gray, Jr., David Haugen, 

Karl Hellman

Contact:

David Read 

U.S. EPA

National Vehicle and Fuel Emissions Laboratory

Ann Arbor, MI 48105

Telephone: 734-214-4367

read.david@epa.gov

www.epa.gov/otaq/technology
Moving Forward 

Hydraulic Hybrids in the Community

Hybrid vehicle technologies have become increasingly popular as gasoline prices have escalated 

in recent years. EPA scientists have developed an inventive and highly efficient full-series 

hydraulic hybrid vehicle powertrain. Charles Gray and other scientists at the National Vehicle 

and Fuel Emissions Laboratory have begun collaborating with external cooperators to install the 

hydraulic hybrid technology in SUVs and utility service vehicles.

The technology features a fully hydraulic hybrid powertrain and a unique and innovative 

hydraulic hybrid propulsion system integrated with the drive axle. The conventional 

transmission and transfer case have been removed and replaced with a hydraulic drivetrain. 

Hydraulic motors and hydraulic tanks are used to store energy, in contrast to the electric motors 

and batteries used in hybrid electric vehicles. Like other hybrid systems, energy saved when 

applying the brakes is reused to help accelerate the vehicle.

Through a cooperative research and development agreement, 

EPA is collaborating with the United Parcel Service (UPS), 

Eaton Corporation, International Truck and Engine 

Corporation, and the U.S. Army National Automotive Center 

to build and field test the world’s first full hydraulic hybrid 

urban delivery vehicle. The vehicle, a UPS delivery truck, 

exhibits significantly improved fuel economy and reduced 

harmful emissions. 

The second phase of this project involves installing a clean 

diesel combustion (CDC) engine or high-efficiency alcohol engine into the hydraulic hybrid 

powertrain vehicle. 

The combination of the hydraulic hybrid technology and the CDC engine or high-efficiency 

alcohol engine will result in the world’s cleanest, most fuel-efficient, and most cost-effective 

urban delivery vehicle. With the CDC engine, the vehicle will achieve a 90 percent reduction in 

nitrous oxides (NOx) emissions, thereby meeting the 2010 diesel emissions standards without the 

added cost of NOx aftertreatment, and will demonstrate 60 to 70 percent improved fuel economy, 

providing a fast payback for the cost of the technology. A typical urban delivery vehicle using 

this technology in stop-and-go traffic could save well over $2,500 in fuel each year while 

significantly reducing pollution.

http://www.epa.gov/osp/ftta.htm	 2

Patent Title: Hydraulic Hybrid Vehicle

Patent: 6,719,080

Inventor: Charles L. Gray, Jr.

Contact:

David Read 

U.S. EPA

National Vehicle and Fuel Emissions Laboratory

Ann Arbor, MI 48105

Telephone: 734-214-4367

read.david@epa.gov

www.epa.gov/otaq/technology

“The combination of the hydraulic hybrid 

technology and the CDC engine or high-efficiency 

alcohol engine will result in the world’s 

cleanest, most fuel-efficient, and most 

cost-effective urban delivery vehicle.”
http://www.epa.gov/osp/ftta.htm	 3

Tracking Pollution to the Source

Advanced Microbial Source Tracking Assays 

and Genome Fragment Enrichment

An innovative EPA patent pending technology provides an advanced tool for protecting 

recreational waters and drinking water sources. Newly developed microbial source tracking 

(MST) assays offer an improved method for distinguishing chicken, cattle and human sources of 

fecal contamination—a critical component for assessing health risks and determining necessary 

remedial actions.

Fecal bacterial contamination poses high risk to human health as well as the economy (e.g., when 

beaches or shellfish harvesting areas are affected). With proper identification of the source of 

fecal pollution, appropriate corrective measures can be implemented, and the cost of cleanup can 

be minimized. MST is used in water quality monitoring related to drinking water, post-hurricane 

cleanup, groundwater remediation and protection, runoff from concentrated animal feeding 

operations, and wastewater treatment plant effluents.

EPA researchers developed the advanced MST 

assays by creating a novel DNA sorting technique 

known as Genome Fragment Enrichment (GFE). 

The GFE technique identifies unique and divergent 

sequences between two DNA preparations. This 

approach has been used to characterize differences 

between closely related genomes and to compare 

total microbial DNA obtained from animal fecal 

specimens. 

GFE has wider potential application in the field 

of comparative metagenomics. Metagenomics is 

an emerging field that provides genomic analysis 

of uncultured organisms and contributes to a wide 

range of end markets, including: aquaculture, meat 

production, crop protection, plant productivity, microbial hydrogen generation, pollution monitoring, 

antibiotics, vaccines, enzymes, fermentation processes, 

biotechnologies, bioprocessing and acid mine drainage.

“Bacterial contamination in natural waters can 

be traced to specific animal sources, including 

humans, cows, chickens, seagulls and geese.”

Patent Title: Development of Cow-Specific Primer 

Sets and Identification of Cow-Specific DNA 

Sequences Using Genome Fragment Enrichment

Patent Pending: 11/316,888

Inventors: Orin C. Shanks, Jorge Santo Domingo

Contact: 

Orin C. Shanks

U.S. EPA

National Risk Management Research Laboratory 

26 W. Martin Luther King Drive

Mail Code 387

Cincinnati, OH 45268

Telephone: 513-569-7314

E-mail: shanks.orin@epa.gov
Protecting Our Water

A Fast, Accurate Technique for Detecting Pathogens

Bacterial contamination of water supplies can pose a serious risk to human health. To protect the 

public and ensure safe water, EPA researchers have worked with private industry to develop a 

quick and accurate method of detecting Escherichia coli (E. coli) and total coliforms (TC). 

TC include species that may inhabit the intestines of warm-blooded animals or occur naturally 

in soil, vegetation and water. They usually are found in fecally-polluted water and often are 

associated with disease outbreaks. Although they usually are not pathogenic themselves, their 

presence in drinking water indicates the possible presence of pathogens. E. coli, one species of 

the coliform group, is found in feces and, therefore, is an indicator of fecal contamination and the 

possible presence of enteric pathogens. In addition, some strains of E. coli are pathogenic.

Method 1604 is a sensitive and differential membrane 

filter method that uses membrane filter agar 

medium (MI Agar) or MI broth to identify 

TC and E. coli. Two enzyme substrates 

are included in the medium to detect 

enzymes that are produced by the 

bacteria. This method is a proven test 

for quick and accurate detection, 

with results available in 16 to 24 

hours or less. It has been approved 

for use in monitoring drinking 

water, source water and ambient 

water (including fresh recreational 

water). It also has been proposed 

for use with groundwater and may 

be useful for analyzing other types 

of samples, such as treatment plant 

effluents, foods, pharmaceuticals, and 

human or veterinary clinical specimens. 

“This invention is a proven test for quick and 

accurate detection of bacterial contamination, 

with results available in 16 to 24 hours or less.”

http://www.epa.gov/osp/ftta.htm	 4

Patent Title: Membrane Filter Agar Medium 

Containing Two Enzyme Substrates Used for 

the Simultaneous Detection of Total Coliforms 

and E. coli

Patents: 6,063,590 / 6,306,621 / 6,670,145

Inventors: Kristen P. Brenner, Clifford C. Rankin, 

Yvette R. Roybal-McKenna, Alfred P. Dufour

Contact:

Kristen P. Brenner

U.S. EPA 

26 W. Martin Luther King Drive

Mail Code 314

Cincinnati, OH 45268

Telephone: 513-569-7317

E-mail: brenner.kristen@epa.gov
Reducing Waste

Clean and Sustainable Recovery of Volatile 

Organic Compounds

Thousands of sites across the country are contaminated with volatile organic compounds (VOCs). 

A new EPA invention offers a clean and sustainable alternative to current remediation methods.

VOCs are used as solvents or as starting materials in a variety of industries, including plastics, 

paints, adhesives, parts degreasing and drycleaning. When released to the environment, VOCs 

can be harmful to human health and nature. An emerging 

cleanup approach relies on extracting VOCs into a water-based 

cleaning solution containing a detergent (surfactant). The 

resulting water-VOC-surfactant mixture is difficult to separate, 

and traditional technologies, such as air stripping and steam 

stripping, are hampered by foaming and precipitant formation 

problems. 

EPA’s new technology removes VOCs from the soil-cleaning 

solution using a membrane process called pervaporation. A 

nonporous membrane removes the VOCs selectively from the 

contaminated solutions, leaving behind the nonvolatile surfactant 

and other additives in the water stream. The VOCs are recovered 

in concentrated form, without air emissions, and then can be 

destroyed or reused. 

The pervaporation system provides a sustainable method of 

removing VOCs from groundwater, soil-washing and soilflushing solutions, and industrial waste streams. This invention 

could capture a share of the U.S. wastewater equipment market 

(estimated to be $774 million in 2004 and anticipated to reach 

$1.3 billion by 2011) as well as the U.S. soil and groundwater 

remediation technology market (estimated to be $8 billion in 

2004 and expected to reach $13 billion by 2010).

“The pervaporation system provides a 

sustainable method of removing VOCs from 

groundwater, soil-washing and soil-flushing 

solutions, and industrial waste streams.” 

http://www.epa.gov/osp/ftta.htm	 5

Patent Title: Recovery of Volatile Organic 

Compounds From Emulsion of Volatile Organic 

Compounds in Water by Pervaporation

Patent: 6,039,878

Inventors: Subhas K. Sikdar, Leland Vane

Contact:

Subhas K. Sikdar

U.S. EPA

26 W. Martin Luther King Drive 

Mail Code 235

Cincinnati, OH 45268

Telephone: 513-569-7528
Recovery and Reuse

Using Pervaporation To Recover and Reuse Alcohols

Pervaporation is an effective and sustainable method for remediating contaminated groundwater 

and industrial liquid waste streams. New advancements in this technology are expanding the 

range of its applications. One such advancement is the development of new, high performance 

hydrophilic membranes with reversible water-absorbing properties. This technology allows 

water to be transferred to or from an industrial process stream.

Many situations require this type of transfer; examples include the removal of water produced 

in a chemical reaction to drive the reaction to completion; the humidification of a gas stream to 

avoid desiccating materials, which requires the presence of moisture; and the dehydration of 

organic solvent streams to meet product specifications. 

Alcohols are used increasingly as 

solvents and cleaning agents in 

various industries. Purification 

of alcohol streams that have been 

contaminated by water is difficult 

at certain concentrations. Such 

mixtures cannot be separated by 

normal distillation and require 

more complex processes. EPA’s 

new hydrophilic membranes enable 

pervaporation operations to separate 

alcohol from water and allow the 

alcohol to be reused. This invention 

meets the economic need and the 

environmental demand for easy, 

efficient recovery and reuse of 

alcohols.

http://www.epa.gov/osp/ftta.htm	 6

Patent Title: Hydrophilic Mixed Matrix Materials 

Having Reversible Water Absorbing Properties

Patent: 6,881,364

Inventors: Leland Vane, Ravi Ponangi

Contact: 

Leland Vane

U.S. EPA

26 W. Martin Luther King Drive

Mail Code 443

Cincinnati, OH 45268

Telephone: 513-569-7799

E-mail: vane.leland@epa.gov

“This invention meets the economic need and 

the environmental demand for easy, efficient 

recovery and reuse of alcohols.”
Advancing the Science of Reproductive Fertility

A Discovery With Wide-Ranging Applications

A recent discovery in the science of reproductive fertility promises significant advances in this 

field. EPA scientists have identified a sperm protein, SP-22, that can be used to evaluate, inhibit 

or enhance male fertility. The applications for this are wide ranging and include new methods of 

contraception, screening for exposure to toxic pollutants, improved selection processes for animal 

breeding, and male fertility treatments. 

The invention has been tested successfully in rats, rabbits, 

stallions, bulls and humans and has demonstrated a proof 

of concept. Specifically, this invention has the potential to:

• Provide a means for predicting male fertility in 

animals and humans. 

• Screen animals and humans for exposure to known 

or suspected endocrine disruptors for fertility. 

• Select sires that are good candidates for providing 

sperm for artificial insemination. 

• Screen human semen for fertility to improve the 

success of assisted reproductive techniques.

• Improve fertility in males who fail to express a 

sufficient amount of SP-22, formerly known as 

SP-16, in sperm. 

• Provide a reversible male contraceptive.

Currently, infertility affects approximately 6 million 

couples in the United States, and infertility diagnostics 

represents a multibillion dollar industry. There also is a 

need for an effective, reversible male contraceptive. This 

invention offers a much needed contribution in these 

areas 

as well as in the field of animal husbandry.

“The applications are wide ranging and 

include new methods of contraception, 

screening for exposure to toxic pollutants, 

improved selection processes for animal 

breeding, and male fertility treatments.”

http://www.epa.gov/osp/ftta.htm	 7

Patent Title: Method for Evaluating and Affecting 

Male Fertility

Patent: 6,197,940

Inventor: Gary Klinefelter 

Contact: 

Gary Klinefelter

U.S. EPA

Mail Code 72

Research Triangle Park, NC 27711

Telephone: 919-541-5779

E-mail: klinefelter.gary@epa.gov

Localization of SP-22 over the rat sperm head
Improving Precision

A New Instrument for Measuring Soft Tissues

Many commercial and industrial applications, particularly biological research efforts involving 

animals, require measurements of soft, pliant objects. Numerous instruments for making these 

measurements have been developed, many of which are quite expensive. EPA researchers have 

developed an improved, cost-effective instrument for measuring the thickness of soft biological 

tissues. 

Accurate and precise measurements are critical to obtaining 

sound scientific data. Commercially available calipers, however, 

apply too much force to the tissue, thus producing unreliable 

results. The improved design uses a very low-friction movable 

arm and a noncontact inductive sensor. Contact force applied by 

calipers of this design is adjustable from less than 1 to more than 

5 grams. These calipers have been shown to apply exactly the 

same amount of force at each measured distance; in other words, 

they conform to Hooke’s law where force applied is proportional 

to distance measured.

Two versions of this caliper have been constructed. The first 

unit has a measuring range of 0 to 2 mm for measuring the 

thickness of the ear of an anesthetized mouse. In a standard test 

for chemically induced hypersensitivity, the test article is injected 

into the pina of one ear and a control substance into the other. 

The caliper is used to detect and quantify differences in swelling 

attributable to the sensitizing potential of the test article. The 

second unit has a range of 0 to 10 mm and is used to measure the thickness of the foot pad of an 

anesthetized rat. This assay is used to evaluate effects of pollutants on the ability of the immune 

system to respond to antigen challenge.

This invention may find use in a small subcategory (approximately $30 million) of the measuring 

instrument market, estimated to be $1 billion.

“EPA researchers have developed an improved, 

cost-effective instrument for measuring the 

thickness of soft biological tissues.”

http://www.epa.gov/osp/ftta.htm	 8

Title: Electronic Caliper for Mouse Ear and Rat Foot 

Pad Edema Measurement

Patent: 6,829,839

Inventor: Paul M. Killough

Contact:

Paul M. Killough

U.S. EPA 

109 T. W. Alexander Drive

Mail Code B-105-02

Research Triangle Park, NC 27711

Telephone: 919-541-2610

E-mail: killough.paul@epa.gov
Caring for the Nation’s Water Supply

Safe, Energy-Efficient Water Treatment Technology

The quality of the nation’s water supply is of increasing importance as the population continues 

to grow and urban areas expand. Surface waters from streams, rivers and other water bodies and 

wastewater from homes, industries and businesses require treatment to reduce pollutants and 

ensure public safety. Biological treatment is the most widely used technology to treat wastewater, 

and a new EPA patent promises a safer, more energy-efficient component to this process. This 

process also is gaining popularity for the treatment of drinking water.

The new, gravity-flow biomass concentrator reactor (BCR) effectively retains and concentrates 

suspended solids from treated water. The design encompasses an aeration chamber housing a 

high surface area porous polyethylene membrane system that retains all of the biomass within 

the aeration chamber. Its simple operation and low maintenance requirements may render it 

more economical than other water treatment technologies.

 

The BCR has been demonstrated to be effective in any environment where high biomass 

retention is desired or required for highly efficient biodegradation to occur. For example, it has 

proved effective in the biological treatment of methyl tertiary butyl ether (MTBE)-contaminated 

groundwater. MTBE is a gasoline additive that contaminates groundwater when underground 

storage tanks leak gasoline into the aquifer.

This technology could be used as a package plant replacement or for small municipal activated 

sludge systems (no clarifier needed) as well as for treating surface water for drinking purposes. 

It produces a clear and organic-free effluent, and it reduces natural organic matter sufficiently 

that trihalomethane precursors would be minimized. It can be used for industrial wastewater 

treatment and possibly for the anaerobic treatment of waters contaminated with perchlorates.

This invention holds potential for improving municipal wastewater treatment facilities. 

Biological wastewater treatment is a $15 billion industry and is critical for the health and well 

being of the nation. 

http://www.epa.gov/osp/ftta.htm	 9

Patent Title: Biomass Concentrator Reactor

Patent: 6,821,425

Inventors: Albert D. Venosa, Makram T. Suidan

Contact:

Albert D. Venosa

U.S EPA

26 Martin Luther King Drive

Mail Code 489A

Cincinnati, OH 45268

Telephone: 513-569-7668

E-mail: venosa.albert@epa.gov

“The BCR’s simple operation and low 

maintenance requirements may render it 

economically more feasible than other 

water treatment technologies.”
Serving Needs Worldwide

Advanced Technology for Monitoring Air Quality

The saturation sampler is an outstanding example of a collaborative development that is reaching 

the international marketplace and serving needs worldwide. Numerous efforts, ranging from 

monitoring indoor air quality to responding to catastrophic events, have incorporated this 

advanced air sampling technology.

Jointly developed by EPA and the Lane Regional Air Pollution Authority, the saturation sampler 

reflects a unique integration, expansion and implementation of existing technologies. A U.S. 

patent was awarded for its ability to collect both filter and whole air samples in simultaneous, 

overlapping and/or individual monitoring regimes. The inexpensive, low-volume sampler is 

used in a broad variety of sampling environments by virtue of its compact, lightweight, highly 

portable, weatherproof and rugged design. It is used by private and public sector entities in a 

wide array of applications worldwide, including:

• Evaluating the representativeness and informing the design of 

fixed monitoring air monitoring networks and programs 

• Informing the development and verifying the performance of air 

quality dispersion models 

• Developing air emissions permits and monitoring compliance 

• Conducting indoor air quality studies 

• Conducting occupational air quality studies 

• Conducting exposure/epidemiological studies 

• Conducting air toxics studies 

• Performing surveillance on airborne hazards to military personnel (e.g., at deployments 

in Afghanistan and Iraq) 

• Responding to emergencies (e.g., measuring impacts in the aftermath of the World Trade 

Center attack, Gulf War/Kuwait oil well fires and volcanic eruptions). 

More than 3,200 samplers have been sold domestically and internationally, with total revenues 

exceeding $6 million. Approximately one-half of the 200-400 samplers sold annually now are 

purchased by international clients. 

http://www.epa.gov/osp/ftta.htm	 10

Patent Title: Portable Controlled Air Sampler

Patent: 5,333,511

Inventors: Gerald A. Boyum, Jon W. Schweiss 

Contact: 

Jon W. Schweiss, Chief of Staff

Regional Administrator’s Office

U.S. EPA Region 10

1200 Sixth Avenue

Seattle, WA 98101

Telephone: 206-553-1690

E-mail: schweiss.jon@epa.gov

“The inexpensive, low-volume sampler is used 

in a broad variety of sampling environments 

by virtue of its compact, lightweight, highly 

portable, weatherproof and rugged design.”
Protecting Our Homes

A DNA-Based Innovation To Identify Molds 

and Bacteria

Numerous health problems in the United States are associated with mold (i.e., fungi) in homes, 

schools and businesses. With a new technology developed by EPA researchers, these problems 

can be identified quickly and accurately, allowing illnesses to be diagnosed and treated more 

effectively. Perhaps more important, use of this technology may prevent disease occurrence. 

EPA’s new DNA-based process can identify and quantify more than 130 

species of toxic molds and potentially pathogenic fungi in the environment. Fungi and bacteria cause or contribute to many health problems, including infections, gastroenteritis, ulcers, asthma, allergies 

and sinusitis. This invention may have applications in research related to therapeutics and diagnostics for these illnesses. Additionally, 

this technology can be used to:

• Determine whether an environment is abnormally 

mold contaminated.

• Test homes for potentially pathogenic molds.

• Test water for pathogenic molds.

• Monitor hospitals to prevent nosocomial mold infections.

• Rapidly diagnose mold infections so that treatment can begin earlier.

• Monitor food and drugs for mold contamination.

• Measure the risk for mold associated with allergic and asthmatic disease.

• Diagnose chronic rhinosinusitis.

• Monitor crops for mold pathogens in an integrated pest management program, 

thus reducing the use of pesticides.

This method provides real-time results that are more accurate and less time-consuming than 

current technologies. EPA-licensed commercial laboratories in the United States and the 

European Union already use this method to provide service for their clients.

Patent Title: Method of Identifying and Quantifying 

Specific Fungi and Bacteria

Patent: 6,387,652

Inventors: Richard Haugland, Stephen Vesper

Contact: 

Stephen Vesper

U.S. EPA

26 W. Martin Luther King Drive

Mail Code 314

Cincinnati, OH 45268

Telephone: 513-569-7367

E-mail: vesper.stephen@epa,gov

“Pathogens can be identified quickly and 

accurately, allowing illnesses to be 

diagnosed and treated more effectively.”

http://www.epa.gov/osp/ftta.htm	 11
Protecting the Community

Technologies To Improve Urban Drainage Systems

EPA’s new patented vacuum flushing method promises a significant improvement to current 

urban drainage systems. By reducing the accumulation of sewer solids in pipes, the new system 

can optimize performance, maintain structural integrity and minimize pollution in receiving 

waters. 

Combined sewer overflows, stormwater runoff and sanitary sewer overflows are major 

contributors to the degradation of many urban lakes, streams and rivers. During heavy 

rainstorms, wet weather flows often exceed the capacity of current sewer systems and wastewater 

treatment plants and, consequently, discharge the excess into receiving waters. Moreover, during 

periods of low rainfall, water velocity in drainage systems is reduced, allowing sewer solids 

to settle in pipes. Subsequent rainstorms may resuspend these accumulated solids, creating 

extremely high concentrations of suspended solids, which because of the limited capacity of 

many systems, can overflow into receiving waters and produce detrimental shock loadings.

Accumulated solids also restrict and/or 

block drainage flow, which can cause 

an upstream surge or local flooding. 

Accumulated sewer solids also create 

septic conditions that pose odor, health 

hazards and corrosion problems.

The new system is a cost-effective 

means of removing sewer solids from 

urban drainage systems between 

storms and, therefore, reducing the 

amount of pollutants that reach 

receiving waters. It operates under 

atmospheric pressure and hydrostatic 

buildup and does not require complex 

control instrumentation or an 

extramural source of water for flushing. 

This technology meets an ongoing need 

for improved protection of the health 

and safety of water systems in urban 

environments.

http://www.epa.gov/osp/ftta.htm	 12

Patent Title: System and Method for Vacuum 

Flushing Sewer Solids

Patent: 6,655,402 

Inventor: Chi-Yuan Fan

Contact:

Richard Field

U.S. EPA

Urban Watershed Management Branch

2890 Woodbridge Avenue

Mail Code 104

Edison, NJ 08837-3679

Telephone: 732-321-6674

E-mail: field.richard@epa.gov

“By reducing the accumulation of sewer solids in 

pipes, the new system can optimize performance, 

maintain structural integrity and minimize 

pollution in receiving waters.”
“The avoidance of costs associated with sludge 

removal combined with revenue from the sale 

of recovered metals may provide a return on 

investment that surpasses comparable processes.” 

Patent Title: Recovery of Metals From Metal-Bearing 

Acidic Waste Streams

Patent Pending: 11/224,039

Inventors: John O. Burckle, Fred K. Kawahara, 

Rakesh Govind, Henry H. Tabak, and 

Richard A. Scharp.

Contact:

Richard Scharp

U.S. EPA

26 W. Martin Luther King Drive

Mail Code 445

Cincinnati, OH 45268

Telephone: 513-569-7496

E-mail: burckle.john@epa.gov

http://www.epa.gov/osp/ftta.htm	 13

Products from Waste

A Cost-Effective Alternative for Recovering Metals 

and Treating Industrial Wastewater

EPA scientists have developed an improved method for treating industrial wastewater to 

recover metals in a commercially valuable form. The process involves the sequential removal 

of metal species from an acidic, sulfate-containing wastewater stream by pH control and sulfide 

or hydroxide precipitation. The sulfide used for metal precipitation is produced by hydrogenconsuming, sulfate-reducing bacteria in a membrane bioreactor. This method produces 

marketable, high-purity metal precipitates as well as an effluent stream that meets EPA water 

quality “Gold Book Standards.” In a two-step process, the metals are precipitated in individual 

stages to achieve separation, and the metal-free wastewater is treated to remove the sulfate 

as hydrogen sulfide. The metals are removed as high-purity (90%+ based on metals content) 

metal sulfide or hydroxide precipitates that are suitable for existing markets or conversion to 

commodities. Recovered compounds include: copper sulfide, zinc sulfide, manganese sulfide 

and aluminum hydroxide. Excess hydrogen sulfide can be converted to sodium hydrosulfide 

solution, a commodity chemical used in paper pulping processes. Alternatively, an advanced 

bioconversion technology can be used to combine the bioreactor and precipitation steps into a 

single process unit for each of the metals requiring sulfide precipitation. 

This technology offers a cost-effective alternative for recovering metals and treating industrial 

wastewater. The avoidance of costs associated with sludge removal combined with revenues 

from recovered metals may provide a return on investment that surpasses comparable processes. 

A pay-back time of 6 to 18 months has been projected based on commodity value ranges. The 

significance of this technology includes the following:

• Waste sludge (i.e., RCRA products), which is associated with current lime precipitation 

processes, is not produced.

• Accessory metals, such as arsenic, cadmium, cobalt, nickel and ferric iron, can be removed. 

The presence of accessory metal in the resulting product compares satisfactorily with that 

found in natural ores.

• The high-purity precipitates are in acceptable forms for existing markets.

• The water produced is suitable for discharge.

Initially developed to treat acid mine drainage wastewater, this process has potential applicability 

for many metal-bearing wastewaters. Future research partners may include hard-rock and coal 

mine operators, industrial wastewater generators, wastewater treatment process and/or equipment vendors, and remediation contractors.
Restoring the Soil

Earth-Friendly Alternatives to Chemical Remediation

Subsurface pollution is an environmental issue of great concern in the United States and around 

the world. Bioremediation has proven to be an effective and environmentally preferable 

treatment for biodegradable pollutants, such as methyl tertiary butyl ether, toluene, ethylbenzene, 

xylenes and others. Performance of bioremediation, however, has been limited because it can be 

difficult to access the contamination in subsurface soil and because, in most cases, bioremediation 

requires oxygen, which is highly insoluble in water. Researchers at EPA have developed an 

advanced bioremediation process for subsurface treatment of soil pollution that solves these 

problems.

Bioremediation relies on microorganisms to break down pollutants into nontoxic matter. To 

access the subsurface, hydraulic fracturing was adapted by EPA from the oil drilling industry. 

A hole is drilled into the contaminated area, and high pressure water cracks the subsurface 

layers. Microorganisms then are introduced into the fractures, where they begin to degrade the 

pollutants. Because microorganisms require oxygen, it is pumped either as air or oxygenated 

water into the cracks. In both cases, the oxygen is lost quickly from the bioremediation process. 

EPA developed encapsulated sodium percarbonate, called Solid Oxygen Source (SOS), to provide 

a slow, constant and controlled release of oxygen for use by the microorganisms to degrade the 

pollutants. The SOS can be delivered in the hydraulic fracturing water directly to the site of the 

contamination in the soil. 

Hydraulic fracturing combined with the SOS offers numerous advantages over standard 

bioremediation methods. Operational costs are minimized because equipment maintenance 

is not required (i.e., surface pumps or meters, which tend to freeze and fail, are not needed); 

the process does not spread pollutants; and the slow release of oxygen provides a long-term 

treatment.

Bioremediation is part of the multibillion dollar U.S. remediation industry and has application 

worldwide. With growing concern about hazardous chemical remediation methods, bioremediation likely will increase in importance as an environmentally preferable remediation alternative.

Patent Title: Process for Biodegradation of 

Contaminants in Subsurface Soil by Introduction 

of Hydraulic Fracturing of a Stable Solid Oxygen 

Source and Other Amendments

Patent Pending: 09/866,793 

Inventors: Wendy Davis-Hoover, Stephen Vesper

Contact:

Wendy Davis-Hoover

U.S. EPA

National Risk Management Research Laboratory

National Homeland Security Research Center

5995 Center Hill Avenue 

Cincinnati, OH 45224

Phone: 513-569-7206 

E-mail: davis-hoover.wendy@epa.gov 

“With growing concern about hazardous 

chemical remediation methods, bioremediation 

likely will increase in importance as an environmentally preferable remediation alternative.”

http://www.epa.gov/osp/ftta.htm	 14
Enhancing Medical Research

Advancements in Electromagnetic Therapy

Research often has unexpected and far-reaching benefits. This method to enhance tissue growth 

was an outcome from EPA’s research into the health effects of chemicals introduced into drinking 

water by the disinfection process. 

EPA research focused on the underlying molecular targets responsible for cancer induction in 

animal models. EPA scientists designed and conducted a series of tests of disinfection 

by-products and closely related chemicals that revealed different concentration response curves 

but otherwise exhibited no additional characteristics upon which to develop a mode of action 

(MoA). The principal investigator decided to use magnetic fields and melatonin, which had been 

shown to enhance the tumor-suppressor function, as tools to reveal underlying characteristics 

that would aid in the development of an MoA. Results with both tools allowed for segregation 

of the chemicals into otherwise indistinguishable subgroups. The investigator, aware of activities 

in other research areas where these tools were beginning to be used, inadvertently discovered 

treatment conditions that allowed for more refined and precise methods and applications for 

healing bones and enhancing tissue growth in human and animal models. 

This patented methodology describes how to preferentially stimulate certain ions within tissues 

or cells. Clinical and animal research has shown that ionic stimulation by magnetic fields has 

increased the rate of cellular activity or bone growth in broken or damaged bones. In some cases, 

ionic stimulation has improved or increased the total amount of bone density. The methodology 

also has application in nervous system processes including nerve growth. 

“This technology can enhance or control tissue 

growth and repair by targeting specific ions.”

http://www.epa.gov/osp/ftta.htm	 15

Patent Title: Method and Apparatus for Altering Ionic 

Interactions With Magnetic Fields

Patent: 5,919,679

Inventors: Carl F. Blackman, Janie Page

Contact:

Carl F. Blackman

U.S. EPA

Mail Code B-143-06 

109 T.W. Alexander Drive

Research Triangle Park, NC 27711

Telephone: 919-541-2543

E-mail: blackman.carl@epa.gov