Light Driven Waste Remediation System Utilizing Phototrophic Bacteria Micro-Bac International, Inc. Round Rock, TX

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Light Driven Waste Remediation SystemUtilizing
Phototrophic BacteriaMicro-Bac International,
Inc.Round Rock, TX
Innovation This SBIR project resulted in a new
system for the treatment of wastewater based upon
the metabolic activity of phototrophic bacteria.

• Accomplishments
• This system requires no aeration, uses sunlight
  as an energy source, and does not generate carbon
  monoxide. It also offers significant advantages
  over conventional aerobic or anaerobic waste
  treatment systems in terms of flexibility,
  safety, cost effectiveness and performance.
• In geographical areas with adequate amounts of
  sunlight, this system is considerably more
  cost-effective than traditional activated sludge
  aerobic systems.
• Commercialization
• Micro-Bac International, Inc.SM in its Central
  Texas research laboratories has developed and
  manufactured this microbial biotechnology for the
  successful treatment of wastewater systems.
  Micro-Bacs natural biological solutions are
  comprised of a proprietary combination of
  bacteria used to accelerate the natural
  degradation of wastes in wastewater systems,
  ponds and lagoons, as well as food processing and
  animal waste collection systems.
• Currently Micro-Bac International, Inc. is
  actively pursuing a contract with a Brazilian
  multinational glass producer to manufacture and
  distribute the treatment cells. The
  microorganisms developed as part of the NASA SBIR
  contract are being presently sold as a liquid
  product, Mega-Bac TFTM.
• Mega-Bac TFTM works on the degradation of fat,
  oil, fecal material and other biologically
  derived wastes. The metabolic processes of
  Mega-Bac TFTM produce the enzymes necessary for
  degrading septic wastes and reducing odor. Sales
  of this product are in excess of 350,000 at the
  present time.

This large petrochemical firewater lagoon was
successfully treated with the biological solution
Mega-Bac TFTM manufactured and distributed by
Micro-Bac International, Inc.SM

• Government/Science Applications
• Applications of this system are numerous,
  because water purity is of increasing concern for
  drinking and pharmacological uses, as well as for
  environmental quality. Potential applications
  include wastewater treatment for agriculture,
  small communities, individual homes, isolated
  military installations, food processors, and
  chemical manufacturing.

Points of Contact - NASA (Denise Swain
205/544-0968) - Micro-Bac (Terry Nelson
512/310-9000) 1991 SBIR Phase 2 NAS8-39918
Marshall Space Flight Center Date of
Update 2/24/98 Success Story 8-001