SATOP Provides Validation for Nutrient Reduction Device, Accelerating Market Entry

The removal of phosphorous from wastewater is essential to the continued preservation of the Earth’s lakes and rivers. As phosphorus levels increase in water, the amount of oxygen decreases, which can lead to contamination and the eventual toxicity of the water.

Jay Knight, President of Knight Treatment Systems in Oswego, NY, co-designed a prototype called the Knight Nutrient Reduction Device (KNuRD) to combat this type of contamination. However, the company needed validation that would confirm they were using the best technology available. Now, thanks to the Space Alliance Technology Outreach Program (SATOP), Knight has the confidence and validation to market the product.

The KNuRD relies on manufactured media within the device to remove the phosphorus from the water. The manufactured media is any substance that will allow the charged phosphorus particles to attach to it and therefore be removed from the water. Knight, along with Doug Nelson, Vice President of Science and Technology and Mark Noga, Vice President for Marketing and Distribution for Knight Treatment Systems, had found a type of media that removed the phosphorus, but it needed to be replaced approximately every six months. Dissatisfied, they began searching for a more permanent solution.

Prior to contacting SATOP, the team researched and discovered several options, but they were cost prohibitive. “We completed as much testing as our resources allowed and we knew our technology worked; however, we were hoping to find a more effective media that would not necessitate a semi-annual replacement,” said Knight.

After learning of SATOP from the Central New York Technology Development Organization (TDO), Knight filled out a Request for Technical Assistance (RTA) with TDO.

On Knight Treatment System’s behalf, Ryan McLaughlin, SATOP New York Engineering Manager, contacted Todd Willoughby at AJT & Associates, who possessed experience in wastewater treatment.
“There is a definite need for a type of technology such as the KNuRD,” said Willoughby. “I was excited to be a part of the process.”
Using the information provided, Willoughby was able to confirm that Knight Treatment Systems was indeed using the best possible media to remove the phosphorus.

“The media that Knight Treatment Systems was utilizing is the one most suited to their needs,” said Willoughby. “There are many different types of media, many of which involve the addition other chemicals or consumables. The media they are currently using is an excellent phosphorus removal system and is the most efficient in terms of removal and cost.”

“Todd has a great deal of experience with water treatment,” said Nelson. “He confirmed that we were using the best technology currently available.”

The validation the Knight Treatment Systems team received was enough to move them more quickly to the next stage in the manufacturing process than their internal capabilities would have allowed. The KNuRD has been limited to test installations thus far, but thanks to SATOP, the partners expect to bring the device to both the commercial and residential markets in the fall.

Noga, Nelson and Knight all expressed satisfaction with the result of their experience with SATOP. “The most interesting thing is that a program like SATOP exists to begin with,” said Nelson. “It is great to be able to work with someone with NASA credentials and bring their expertise into our business.”

About SATOP -- The NASA-funded Space Alliance Technology Outreach Program (SATOP) provides small-businesses with free technical assistance through the use of the U.S. Space Program, as well as aerospace contractors, NASA field centers, universities and colleges. These organizations join SATOP as Space Alliance Partners, which donate time and expertise to help SATOP speed the transfer of space technology to the private sector. Platinum level Space Alliance Partners include Lockheed Martin and The Boeing Company. For more information about SATOP, or to request technical assistance, contact TDO at 315-425-5144 or satop@tdo.org