Patent — available for licensing
Plasma Processing of Water and Inedible Biomass for pH Control and Nutrient Recycling
A NASA invention available to explore as a licensing opportunity.
About this technology
Overview
Researchers at Kennedy Space Center have developed a technology that generates plasma activated water in pH ranges that allow for the addition of nitrates and other nutrients to the water while maintaining a healthy pH for plants. A plasma torch is used to treat inedible biomass, generating ash containing nutrients useful for plant growth. The same plasma torch is also used to treat water, which results in the formation of nitric acid that lowers the pH of the water. Adding the plasma generated ash to the plasma treated water can balance the pH of the water to make it suitable for plant growth while simultaneously adding nutrients recycled from the inedible biomass to further enhance plant development. Plasma treatment of water to high and low pH extremes can also be used for sanitation purposes, causing pH shock to undesired organisms. The uniqueness of this process is the adjustability of the pH with one system. The same plasma system can be used to treat both the water and the biomass. Additionally, the technology can be used as an on-demand, point-of-use method for producing nitric acid.