RFPs: Unlocking the Advantages of Internally Stored Carbon for Nutrient Removal

Project Objectives

• Identify knowledge gaps and advance fundamental scientific knowledge related to biological nutrient removal (BNR) driven by internally stored carbon.
• Identify and quantify benefits of achieving BNR via internally stored carbon, including comparisons of performance in systems with enrichment of carbon-storing biomass versus those without carbon-storing biomass enrichment.
• Synthesize findings into an application guidance document for design and operations.

Budget

• Applicants may request up to $250,000 in WRF funds for this project.

Project Duration

• The anticipated period of performance for this project is 24-36 months from the contract start date.

Expected Deliverables

• Deliverables should include, but are not limited to:
  • Research report (must use WRF’s Research Report Template, including literature review, new work under the study, case studies, etc. Report should include literature review of appropriate breadth to document state of knowledge and identify knowledge gaps.
  • Guidance document focusing on applied design and operations.
  • Workshops:
    • One kickoff workshop with the WRF project advisory committee (PAC) (virtual platform acceptable). The PAC is a volunteer expert technical review committee managed by WRF.
    • One in-person progress workshop with WRF PAC.
    • One workshop with the WRF PAC when the project is near substantial completion (virtual platform acceptable).

Eligibility Criteria

• Proposals will be accepted from both U.S.-based and non-U.S.-based entities, including educational institutions, research organizations, governmental agencies, and consultants or other for-profit entities.
• Researchers who are late on any ongoing WRF-sponsored studies without approved no-cost extensions are not eligible to be named participants in any proposals.
• WRF encourages participation from water utilities and other organizations in WRF research. Participation can occur in a variety of ways, including direct participation, in-kind contributions, or in-kind services.

For more information, visit WRF.