Download Plasmids and Rare Earth Elements from Wastewater

Request for Proposal (RFP) No. NTRY8R15
Issued by the
WATER ENVIRONMENT RESEARCH FOUNDATION (WERF)
Proposals must be received by 4:00 pm United States Eastern Time
Tuesday, January 27, 2015
Plasmids and Rare Earth Elements from Wastewater
WERF contact person: Christine Radke, PMP
Phone: (571) 384-2106, Email: [email protected]
PROJECT BACKGROUND, RATIONALE, AND OBJECTIVES
The Water Environment Research Foundation (WERF) is currently funding research on the
recovery of macro-Nutrients (NTRY1R12), Energy, and Water, as well as a variety of creative
new commodities. This request for proposals (RFP) will build upon the prior and ongoing body
of research by focusing specifically on Plasmids and Rare Earth Elements as additional and
important value-added commodities that could be produced by Water Resource Recovery
Facilities (WRRFs) and effectively marketed and/or used locally or in a broader geographic area.
Plasmids
Municipal wastewater contains plasmids which are small DNA molecules that are physically
separate from, and can replicate independently of, chromosomal DNA within bacteria. In nature,
plasmids carry genes that may benefit survival of the organism (e.g., antibiotic resistance), and
can frequently be transmitted from one bacterium to another (even of another species) via
horizontal gene transfer. The genetic flexibility of bacteria has contributed to their survival in
altered environments, because of their capacity to acquire and transfer resistant genes. While
research is currently underway to better understand the impact of antibiotic resistant bacteria, this
project will focus on the recovery of these molecules as another potential wastewater resource.
A plasmid is an extrachromosomal, circular piece of DNA that usually has very specific and
useful properties. Plasmids naturally exist as supercoiled molecules and are most commonly
found as small circular, double-stranded DNA molecules in bacteria. Plasmids are considered
replicons, capable of replicating autonomously within a suitable host. Plasmids can be found in
all three major domains: Archaea, Bacteria, and Eukarya.
Plasmids used in genetic engineering are called vectors. Plasmids serve as important tools in
genetics and biotechnology labs, where they are commonly used to multiply (make many copies
of) or express particular genes. There are many plasmids which are commercially available for
such uses.
Another major use of plasmids is to make large amounts of proteins. In this case, researchers
grow bacteria containing a plasmid harboring the gene of interest. Just as the bacterium produces
proteins to confer its antibiotic resistance, it can also be induced to produce large amounts of
proteins from the inserted gene. This is a cheap and easy way of mass-producing a gene or the
protein it then codes for, for example, insulin or even antibiotics.
In one market segment of plasmids, increasing applications of nucleic acid based-tests in
molecular diagnostics are expected to drive the demand of nucleic acid purification products
market in the coming few years. The global nucleic acid isolation and purification market over
the forecast period of 2013 to 2018 is valued at an estimated $2,103.39 million in 2013.
Rare Earth Elements
Many of today’s technologies, from hybrid car batteries to flat-screen televisions, rely on rare
earth elements (REEs) that are in short supply.
A rare earth element or rare earth metal is one of a set of 17 chemical elements in the periodic
table, specifically the 15 lanthanides – lanthanum, cerium, praseodymium, neodymium,
promethium, samarium, europium, gadolinium, terbium, dysprosium, holmium, erbium, thulium,
ytterbium, and lutetium (atomic numbers 57–71) plus scandium and yttrium. Scandium and
yttrium are considered rare earth elements because they tend to occur in the same ore deposits as
the lanthanides and exhibit similar chemical properties.
Rare earth elements (with the exception of the radioactive promethium) are relatively plentiful in
the Earth’s crust, with cerium being the 25th most abundant element at 68 parts per million
(similar to copper). However, because of their geochemical properties, rare earth elements are
typically dispersed and not often found concentrated as rare earth minerals in economically
exploitable ore deposits.
The Asia-Pacific region captures maximum share in rare earth consumption due to rapidly
increasing demand in China which accounts for approximately 60% of the global consumption.
China is the single dominant supplier of the rare earth elements. Due to increasing export
restrictions by China and growing internal demand, there may be a cause of concern for the
supply of rare earth elements across the globe. There are also concerns about the mining of rare
earth elements in conflict-ravaged and/or unstable nations in Africa. This has caused the market
price and availability of rare earth elements to be highly speculative. Demand for magnetic
materials is going at a rate of 9.8% per year. Scientists are now specifically trying to establish a
method to recycle rare earth elements from wastewater.
The estimated 2013 distribution of rare earths by end use was as follows, in decreasing order:
catalysts, 65%; metallurgical applications and alloys, 19%; permanent magnets, 9%; glass
polishing, 6%; and other, 1%. The leading end uses of yttrium are in phosphors, ceramics, and
metallurgy. Yttrium is used in phosphor compounds for flat panel televisions and displays, and in
fluorescent lights. Yttrium compounds are used in ceramic applications including abrasives,
bearings and seals, high-temperature refractories for continuous-casting nozzles, jet-engine
coatings, oxygen sensors in automobile engines, and wear-resistant and corrosion-resistant
cutting tools. In metallurgical applications, yttrium is used as a grain refining additive and as a
deoxidizer. Yttrium was used in heating-element alloys, high-temperature superconductors, and
superalloys. In electronics, yttrium-iron garnets were components in microwave radar to control
high-frequency signals. Yttrium is an important component in yttrium-aluminum-garnet laser
crystals used in dental and medical surgical procedures, digital communications, distance and
temperature sensing, industrial cutting and welding, nonlinear optics, photochemistry, and
photoluminescence.
PROJECT GOALS
A significant data gap exists on the occurrence, market, and recovery potential of these
commodities (plasmids and rare earth elements) from water resource recovery facilities. The
work proposed should build upon existing experience and ongoing research globally.
The primary goal of this project is to conduct a feasibility study on the recovery of these
commodities and help define the standards and specifications needed for WRRFs to produce and
market high quality plasmids and rare earth elements, both for the generator (the WRRF) and
the end user (recognizing that this can vary for specific markets and regions of the country). For
example, it is recognized that recovery of plasmids and rare earth elements from wastewater is
not highly developed. Data gaps exist in occurrence in water resource recovery facility influent
streams and concentrated streams such as reverse osmosis reject. Based on the analytical results,
the market value can be quantified and normalized. Product quality specifications and parameters
can be used to determine unit processes necessary to derive marketable products.
Guidance is needed for New or Emerging uses/markets. For New or Emerging markets/uses, the
guidance developed should include the occurrence, desired quality and technology needed. The
guidance should also indicate whether existing criteria and standards can meet the product use
standards, and if not, describe what is needed.
SCOPE OF THE PROJECT
This RFP is purposely not prescriptive to encourage innovation and creativity; thereby enabling
proposers to demonstrate their understanding of the need for this project and their approach to
address this need. However, the research plan should be designed such that the “desirable
outcomes” listed in the next section are accomplished. This will enable WRRFs to determine
areas of research that can lead to longer term resource recovery opportunities.
Proposers are expected to successfully achieve the primary goal above (i.e., conduct a detailed
feasibility study on the recovery of these commodities and help define the standards and
specifications needed for WRRFs to produce and market high quality plasmids and rare earth
elements, both for the generator and the end user) and should address the key elements outlined
below in their proposal:
1) Project Significance (to demonstrate understanding of need for project)
o Statement of Importance: Concisely state why the proposed work is of importance and
relevant to the mission of WERF and the greater water quality community.
o State-of-Knowledge Supporting the Research: Describe the current state-of-knowledge
regarding current criteria for various end uses of plasmids and rare earth elements; as
well as the scientific and technological advances in the subject. Make a strong and
compelling case for the originality and innovation of the proposed work.
o Science/Technology Outcomes Potential: Describe how the proposed work will advance
our understanding in this area and how it could lead to a transformation in how WERF
subscribers perform their business.
2) Project Approach (to demonstrate creative solutions / approach to address the need)
An appropriate research approach is expected to provide:
o Description of the specific objectives that will be addressed by the proposed work.
o Details of the experimental design and procedures to be used to achieve all stated
objectives in a scientifically defensible manner.
o Details of any new and enabling tools/methods/techniques (and/or cost benefit evaluation
and metrices) that may be developed to help the generator and end user of the product(s).
o Details of how progress will be measured and successfully accomplished as the project
progresses.
Desirable Outcomes
Rare Earth Elements (REE)
• Quantification by literature or laboratory analysis (if information is available) of the
contribution of REE in wastewater due to human excretion and/or catchment’s industrial
activities ((such as discharge of REE contaminated trade waste) including speciated
concentration and mass rates,
• Based on first principles, establish whether REE would adsorb to residuals or sludges
(and biosolids) or to the effluent.
• Based on the above, design conceptual processes to recover REEs as concentrated
solutions.
• Estimate the potential economic value of the REEs recovered.
Plasmids
• Based on literature information or analytical results, estimate typical plasmids
concentration and mass rates by type or class in both effluents and biosolids
• Design conceptual processes that can be used to both concentrate and purify plasmids
from various matrixes (liquid streams, sludges and biosolids)
• Estimate the commercial value of plasmid concentrates of different purities.
ANTICIPATED DELIVERABLES AND MILESTONES
The proposal should include a detailed scope of work, budget, as well as a list of deliverables
and milestones to track, communicate, and measure progress for this research. Deliverables
include, but is not limited to, written progress reports, conference calls / seminars / meetings, and
a workshop. Draft and final reports that can be published and distributed by WERF are among
the required deliverables. The Final Report (and / or other deliverables) submitted at the
conclusion of the research should satisfactorily address technical peer review comments.
This research anticipates the following deliverables submitted to WERF in a timely manner:
o Progress reports describing technical progress and implications for the industry
o Draft final report
o Final Report (at conclusion of research)
o Workshop or seminar presentations and / or proceedings that can be used to transfer
significant findings to end users including sponsors of the research.
Additional information and guidance on communications deliverables are available online.
Progress reports and deliverables should be provided to WERF based on the schedule that is
proposed in the scope of work. WERF will distribute these to a technical peer review committee
(the Issue Area Team) for review and input. The selected contractor is expected to be available
for teleconferences and / or online discussions with the steering committee during the course of
the research, and for one or more workshops / seminars.
SELECTION PROCESS AND CRITERIA
Selection of proposals is a very competitive process. Proposals will be reviewed by WERF and
the Issue Area Team (IAT) for the Resource Recovery challenge. This external review team may
be complemented as needed by subject matter experts. As part of the evaluation process, WERF
reserves the right to request interviews, either via conference call or in person, with qualified
proposers if necessary.
Proposers are encouraged to develop and submit their intended research plan that meets the
research goals of this RFP, provides sufficient details of their budget, as well as schedules and
milestones that can successfully deliver on the stated research goals, objectives, and tasks that
are proposed.
WERF will evaluate proposals on the following components:
• Research team whose member’s education, knowledge, and experience directly relates to
the project scope. (30%)
• A clear, focused, and creative research approach that demonstrates the ability to achieve
the research objective(s). (30%)
• A competitive, realistic budget that includes leveraging opportunities (external funds,
partnerships, collaborations, in-kind contributions, etc.). (20%)
• A detailed communications plan specifying outreach products (workshops, webinars,
articles, etc.) and the intention to work in coordination with WERF. (10%)
• A proposed schedule that moves the project forward as quickly as practical to achieve the
objective(s) with decision points for consultation with WERF. (10%)
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE:
Anticipated to be no more than 12 months from notice to proceed (NTP). NTP planned to be
issued to selected proposer after Board approval in April 2015, with an anticipated project start
date of May 1, 2015.
FUNDING AVAILABLE:
The total WERF cost / budget for the research effort is anticipated to be about US $50,000.
Proposers are strongly encouraged to seek additional partners, collaborators, test sites, case
studies, etc., to further leverage the level of effort and funding, as well as to successfully
complete the research. Additional in-cash and in-kind contributions, for example, through
technology providers, water resource recovery facilities, personnel, laboratories, etc., are also
encouraged. The due date for this RFP has been extended to provide additional time for
potential teaming and partnership arrangements, collaboration opportunities, and to obtain inkind or in-cash contributions.
Proposers should note that the California Association of Sanitation Agencies (CASA) has issued
a letter in support of this RFP and will collaborate with WERF to provide additional in-kind
contributions to the selected proposer.
The budgeted amount (including in-kind / in-cash contributions) is expected to cover the entire
scope of work of the research team.
INSTRUCTIONS:
Proposers must follow WERF solicited RFP instructions for submitting proposal applications.
Instructions for preparing a proposal are on the WERF website. Additional guidance on the
communications plan may also be accessed online.
Proposals are due in WERF’s offices by 4:00 p.m., U.S. Eastern Standard Time on Tuesday,
January 27, 2015. Proposals received after the due date will be returned to the sender. As part of
the evaluation process, WERF reserves the right to request interviews, either via conference call
or in person, with qualified proposers if necessary.
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