SBIR-STTR Award

Fixed film biological reactors must go through a period of acclimation and mishandling of thisprocess leads to toxic accumulations of ammonia or nitrite causing large mortalities across a widevariety of aquaculture applications.This project focuses on the design and production of "start-up"beads that hold promise of eliminating these acclimation losses. In Phase I efforts are focused uponthe identification of a carbonaceous energy source that will stimulate heterotrophic bacterial growthfor 3-4 weeks within the bead bed without causing a rapid increase in dissolved biodegradableconcentrations.Formulations will be coated on an expanded glass core that will assure flotation.Experimental studies using freshwater crayfish (Procambarus clarkii) and marine blue crabs(Callinectes sapidus) verify the ability to cold start without ammonia or nitrite accumulations.Additional marine tests are proposed to define how nitrate levels may impact the process.Economic assessment of the cost of production are undertaken to evaluate viable alternatives.Phase II focuses the marketing limits of the technology with the definition of the temperature andpH impacts.A commercially viable means of bead formation (or coating) with the selectedformulation will be defined.Successful introduction would dramatically increase the perceivedvalue of the AST filter line which are ideally configured to implement this unique approach. ThisPhase I effort specifically addresses Strategic Goals 2.0 and 4.0 by enhancing the US farmersability to produce aquacultural products in an industry that is principally dependent on ruralparticipation.