New research project at Lethbridge College to investigate micro-nanofiltration system for zero-waste food production

Dr. Nick Savidov, a senior research scientist in Lethbridge College’s Aquaculture Centre of Excellence, says zero waste agriculture is the main goal.

“This would have potential to treat grey water in animal husbandry, waste management and municipal water treatment. It even has potential to remove pathogenic bacteria to produce potable water,” Savidov said.

Savidov is the lead researcher on the $50,000, one-year applied research project that’s designed to find a sustainable, cost-effective solution to a problem encountered by the project’s industry partner.

The company, 1722497 Alberta Ltd., operates a greenhouse in Aldersyde, using its own design for vertical growing towers to maximize use of greenhouse space in an aquaponics setting.

Water containing fish effluent provides nutrition to the plants, which clean the water for the fish habitat, but solids in the water were clogging the roots of plants in the vertical towers.

To solve that problem, Savidov and the ACE team designed 20 “mini-systems” to test various amounts of biochar for its ability to capture micro- and nano-particles to improve water quality for both plants and fish.

A release from the College states the work is supported through a $25,000 cash contribution from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada Engage grant program, which is matched by Alberta Innovates’ Campus Alberta Small Business Engagement Program.

“We’re pleased with the success of the biochar project and in the potential impact, it will have for our industry partner,” Lethbridge College’s Associate Vice President Research Dr. Kenny Corscadden said. “This is exactly the intent of NSERC Engage and Alberta Innovates CASBE funding — creating an opportunity for applied research to provide practical solutions to real-world problems that help the industry become more economically viable.”

The research partnership not only helps 1722497 Alberta Ltd. find solutions to improve its food production operations but gives it verified scientific data to support the company’s efforts to produce the highest quality food locally and naturally.

President and CEO of 1722497 Alberta Ltd., Daniel Ronald, says a lot of companies make claims, but this is third-party, verified data from a credible, leading team of researchers.

The project uses biochar as a “polishing step” for water as a drum filter and coarse and fine foam pads can capture the bulk of primary solids 50 microns or larger, leaving biochar as a second step to remove smaller particles that have traditionally been expensive to remove.

The bamboo biochar was chosen because it is routinely manufactured as high quality, horticultural grade stock to produce activated carbon.

The small, light particles that are one to three millimetres long are highly stable and retain their shape over time even in water.

A gram of biochar fits easily in the palm of one hand and provides a surface area larger than a standard doubles tennis court.

The year-long research project began with a review of literature in August 2017, continued with design and construction of the mini-systems, and will continue through this summer with experiments using various amounts of biochar and various flow rates, and then conclude with the construction and testing of a pilot scale microfiltration unit.

by Aaron Mahoney (@Mahones93 on Twitter)

New research project at Lethbridge College to investigate micro-nanofiltration system for zero-waste food production

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