ETVoice - October 2009

Field Portable Ion Chromatograph Verified

The ETV Advanced Monitoring Systems (AMS) Center, operated by Battelle, has verified the performance of a field portable ion chromatograph. The MARGA ADI 2080, developed by Applikon Analytical B.V., is a semi-continuous monitor for determining gases and aerosols in ambient air. The performance of the monitor was verified for accuracy, precision, data completeness, reliability, ease of use, maintenance, and consumables/waste generated. The verification report and statement will be available soon on ETV's Advanced Monitoring Systems Center Verified Technologies web page.

Radio Frequency Identification Devices Verified

The ETV AMS Center has verified the performance of two radio frequency identification
(RFID) devices for tracking hazardous waste shipments across international borders. The
two devices are: MultiTrack™ Layered Tracking System, developed by Private Pallet
Security System, LLC, and PanaSec Mobile Personnel and Asset Visibility System,
developed by AVANTE International Technology, Inc. The verification test of the RFID
devices simulated shipments of hazardous waste contained in polyethylene drums, metal
drums, and corrugated boxes through routine land transportation routes and across
international points of entry on the U.S./Mexico border. RFID tags were attached to each
container type. The key verification parameters included: accuracy, precision,
interference of other RFID signals, influence of confounding factors (container type,
packing configuration, placement of tags, environmental conditions, etc.), and operational
factors (ease of use, cost, user-friendliness, etc.). The verification reports and statements
will be available soon on ETV's Advanced Monitoring Systems Center Verified Technologies web page.

Estrogen ELISA Test Kits Verified

The ETV AMS Center has verified the performance of three enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) test kits for determination of endocrine disrupting compounds (EDCs) in aqueous phase samples. The three test kits, developed by Abraxis, are: Abraxis Ecologenia® 17ß-Estradiol (E2) Microplate ELISA Test Kit, 17ß-Estradiol (E2) Magnetic Particle ELISA Test Kit, and Abraxis Ecologenia® Ethynylestradiol (EE2) Microplate ELISA Test Kit. ELISA test kits are chemical specific—these kits were verified for their abilities to determine E2 and EE2, as appropriate, in four different water matrices. The verification test assessed the performance of the test kits relative to precision, percent bias, matrix effects, and operational factors. The verification reports will be available soon on ETV's Advanced Monitoring Systems Center Verified Technologies web page.

Ultrafiltration Membrane Modules Verified

The ETV Drinking Water Systems (DWS) Center, operated by NSF International, has verified the performance of the Koch Membrane Systems, Inc. Targa 10-48-35-PMC Ultrafiltration Membrane Module. Testing of the Koch Targa 10-48-35-PMC membrane module was conducted as part of the ETV verification of the U.S. Navy Office of Naval Research’s Expeditionary Unit Water Purifier (EUWP), manufactured by Village Marine Tec. The EUWP uses the Targa membrane module in the ultrafiltration step. The module was tested for removal of pathogenic protozoa from water samples using two surrogate organisms—endospores of the bacteria Bacillus atrophaeus and formalin-fixed Cryptosporidium parvum oocysts.

The ETV DWS Center has verified the performance of three additional ultrafiltration membrane modules for removal of microbial contaminants. The Memcor® L10V, Memcor® L20V, and Memcor® S10V Ultrafiltration Modules, developed by Siemens Water Technologies Corporation, were verified according to the membrane challenge requirements of the U.S. EPA Long Term 2 Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule (LT2ESWTR). The L20V and S10V modules were tested for removal of microorganisms using endospores of the bacteria Bacillus atrophaeus and MS-2 coliphage virus. The L10V module was tested for removal of live Cryptosporidium parvum oocysts, Bacillus atrophaeus endospores, and MS-2 coliphage virus. Log removal values were calculated. The verification reports and statements for the four ultrafiltration membrane modules will be available soon on ETV's Drinking Water Systems Center Verified Technologies web page.

Wastewater Ultraviolet Disinfection Systems Verified

The ETV Water Quality Protection Center, operated by NSF International, has verified the performance of two ultraviolet (UV) disinfection systems for secondary wastewater effluent treatment and reuse. The Barrier Sunlight V-40R-A150 and Barrier Sunlight H- 4XE-HO Open Channel UV Systems, both developed by Siemens Water Technologies Corporation, were verified within broad operational limits, taking into account flow rate, UV sensor reading, and UV sensitivity. Verification testing parameters included: performance difference of the systems between turndown and UV transmittance (UVT) turndown at same operational conditions to mimic the total attenuation; flow-dose relationship at nominal UVT of 50-80% for multiple dose ranges and using biological surrogates with varying levels of sensitivity to UV; and power consumption and head loss. The verification reports and statements will be available soon on ETV's Water Quality Protection Center Verified Technologies web page.

Guidelines for Participation in ETV ESTE Verification of Lead Test Kits Now Available

Updated guidelines for participation in the ETV Environmental and Sustainable Technology Evaluations (ESTE) for Performance Characteristics of Qualitative Spot Test Kits for Lead in Paint (PDF) is now available on the ETV Web Site. EPA will fund verification for up to six test kits; in the future, additional funding may become available for verification. Kits will be tested on a first-come, firstserve basis provided criteria for commercial-readiness are met. Verification testing is expected to begin in November 2009.

Contact: Julius Enriquez, EPA, at (513) 569-7285

ETV Advanced Monitoring Systems Center Solicits Technology Vendors

The AMS Center, operated by Battelle, is soliciting vendors and collaborators interested
in verification testing of the following technologies.

Rapid Toxicity Technologies for Wastewater Monitoring

Contact: Mary Schrock, Battelle, at (614) 424-4976

Asbestos Soil Samplers:  Field portable asbestos soil samplers. These technologies determine the potential for exposure to asbestos fibers released from soils. The technology should be an alternative to the current practice of activity-based sampling.

Contact: Amy Dindal, Battelle, at (561) 422-0113

Non-Radioactive Alternatives to Nuclear Gauges:  This test is part of a collaboration between EPA’s Office of Air and Radiation (OAR) Alternative Technology Initiative (ATI) and the ETV AMS Center. EPA’s ATI fosters the acceptance and voluntary market adoption of non-radioactive technologies, i.e. alternatives to those devices that currently use sealed sources. EPA’s ATI is currently interested in commercial-ready alternatives to nuclear gauges that can be used to determine thickness. Interested vendors of such alternative devices are being solicited.

Contact: Stephanie Buehler, Battelle, at (614) 424-3972

Monitoring Technologies:  Technologies for monitoring contaminants in air, water, and soil.

Contact: Ann Louise Sumner, Battelle, at (614) 424- 3973

ETV Drinking Water Systems Center Solicits Technology Vendors

The DWS Center, operated by NSF International, is soliciting vendors of technologies for: water conservation and reuse (e.g., to address water loss as a result of evaporation and other effects of global climate change); energy efficiency in drinking water treatment (e.g., nanotechnology or energy recovery systems integrated into treatment equipment); and treatment to reduce the volume, hazard, or risk of residuals. Technologies that address one or more of the above issues and also treat, reduce or remove one or more of the following contaminants are of high priority, should and when funding becomes available: contaminants regulated under the Long Term 2 Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule (particularly membrane separation and ultraviolet inactivation processes), Groundwater Rule, arsenic, radium, uranium, and other existing drinking water rules.

Contact: Bruce Bartley, NSF, at (734) 769-5148
Jeff Adams, EPA, at (513) 569-7835

ETV Greenhouse Gas Technology Center Solicits Technology Vendors

The GHG Center, operated by Southern Research Institute, is soliciting vendors and collaborators interested in verification testing of the following technologies.

Distributed Electrical Generation and Combined Heating/Cooling and Power Technologies:  Technologies associated with distributed electrical generation (i.e., fuel cells, Stirling engines, reciprocating engines), including combined heating/cooling and power applications (e.g., waste heat recovery for space heating, water heating, chillers/refrigeration, dehumidification, etc.), and utilizing various fuels such as natural gas, hydrogen, biofuels, etc.

Contact: Tim Hansen, Southern Research, at (919) 282-1052

Micro-Combined Heat and Power Technologies:  Small, residential scale (less than 10kW) combined heat and power (CHP) technologies. These "micro-CHP" technologies are utilized to provide on-site power generation, space heat, hot water heating, and/or cooling at residences and small commercial facilities.

Contact: Tim Hansen, Southern Research, at (919) 282-1052

Solar Thermal Cooling:  Technologies which use solar energy and heat to drive cooling processes.

Contact: Tim Hansen, Southern Research, at (919) 282-1052

ETV Materials Management and Remediation (MMR) Center Solicits Technology Vendors

The MMR Center, operated by Battelle, is soliciting vendors and collaborators interested in verification testing of the following technologies.

Materials Management and Remediation Technologies:  In the areas of plastics recycling, tire recycling, electronics recycling, material sorting, and manufactured soils.

Contact: Amy Dindal, Battelle, at (561) 422-0113.

Remediation Technologies:  In the areas of delivery methods, biological processes, in situ chemical oxidants, in situ chemical reductants, soil and sediment remediation, and emerging contaminant remediation.

Contact: Amy Dindal, Battelle, at (561) 422-0113.

ETV Water Quality Protection Center Solicits Technology Vendors

The WQP Center, operated by NSF International, is soliciting vendors and collaborators for verification testing of source water protection and wet weather flow technologies, including grouting and coating materials for infrastructure rehabilitation. For a list of technology categories prioritized by this center please visit the ETV's Water Quality Protection Center Verified Technologies Web Page. 

Vendors with technologies in these areas who are interested in having their products verified should contact Tom Stevens, NSF, at (734) 769-5347.

October 10-14, 2009
The Water Environment Federation’s Annual Technical Exhibition and Conference (WEFTEC 2009) will be held in Orlando, FL. The conference will include technical and educational sessions for water quality professionals on topics such as collection systems, membrane technologies, residuals and biosolids, water reuse/recycling, and others. The event will also include an exhibition featuring cutting-edge water and wastewater technologies. The ETV Program will exhibit with the EPA National Risk Management Research Laboratory.

Visit: Water Environment Federation’s Annual Technical Exhibition and Conference (WEFTEC 2009)

October 12-13, 2009
The European Commission’s ETV program will host a two-day conference, “Accelerating Eco-Innovation through Environmental Technology Verification,” in Brussels, Belgium. The conference will introduce ETV as a tool for technology promotion, show results of pilot verifications, provide opportunities for participants to present their views to the European Commission and decision makers, and facilitate discussion on the pros and cons of a European ETV program in a global market. Ann Gregg, Battelle, will represent the U.S. ETV Advanced Monitoring Systems Center and will present on joint verification efforts between the U.S. and European and Canadian ETV programs.

Visit: European Commission’s ETV program

October 13, 2009
The ETV Program will host an open house from 12:30 to 5:15 p.m. at the EPA Andrew W. Breidenbach Environmental Research Center in Cincinnati, OH. ETV representatives will present on activities under verification centers and projects. This open house is being held as a part of the annual ETV Team Training Meeting.

Visit: ETV Open House

Contact: Abby Waits, EPA, at (513) 569-7884

October 20-22, 2009
The 30th Symposium on Pesticide Formulations and Delivery Systems: Regulations and Innovation will be held in Atlanta, GA. Hosted by the ASTM International Committee E35 on Pesticides and Alternative Control Agents, this symposium serves as a multidisciplinary forum for scientists, applicators, regulators and industry professionals to exchange information and learn about state-of-the-art products and practices. Mike Kosusko and Faruque Khan, EPA, will represent the ETV ESTE project for Pesticide Drift Reduction Technologies and plan to present on “Development of the EPA/ETV Test Protocol for Pesticide Spray Drift Reduction Technology.”

Visit: 30th Symposium on Pesticide Formulations and Delivery Systems: Regulations and Innovation

October 26-28, 2009
The 2009 Association of State Drinking Water Administrators (ASDWA) Annual Conference will be held in Portland, OR. This year’s conference themes will include drinking water security strategies, tools and techniques; source water protection, quantity and conservation; small systems technology; distribution systems issues; and emerging contaminants in drinking water. The ETV Drinking Water Systems Center plans to participate.

Visit: 2009 Association of State Drinking Water Administrators (ASDWA) Annual Conference (http://www.asdwa.org/conferences)

November 8-13, 2009
The American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE) Annual Meeting will be held in Nashville, TN. This meeting is designed as an educational forum for chemical engineers and will feature a range of topics on the latest research and newest technologies in emerging growth areas, such as energy and transport processes; sustainable engineering; food, pharmaceuticals and bioengineering; and nanomaterials for energy applications. The ETV Program will exhibit with the EPA National Risk Management Research Laboratory.

Visit: American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE) Annual Meeting

November 11-13, 2009
The 4th International ETV Forum entitled “ETV: Accelerating Technology Solutions to Climate Change,”on November 11-13, 2009, in Manila, Philippines. This Forum will serve as a venue for exchanging ideas and sharing experiences among participants on issues related to implementing an ETV program within the Philippines, and how this supports technology solutions to mitigate climate change in developing countries such as the Philippines. The Forum will be followed by a meeting of the International Working Group on Environmental Technology Verification (IWG-ETV). U.S. ETV staff will help organize and present at both events.

Additional information on ETV international activities: International Participation web page

December 1-3, 2009
The Partners in Environmental Technology Technical Symposium and Workshop, hosted by the Department of Defense’s Strategic Environmental Research and Development Program (SERDP) and Environmental Security Technology Certification Program (ESTCP), will be held in Washington, DC. This symposium will assemble environmental researchers and technology developers with the defense user and regulatory communities to showcase cutting-edge technologies and ideas, and to communicate future challenges. Evelyn Hartzell, EPA, will represent the ETV Program and will exhibit at the symposium.

Visit: Partners in Environmental Technology Technical Symposium and Workshop