BioLargo Inc (OTCQB:BLGO) announced Thursday that its wholly owned subsidiary BioLargo Engineering, Science & Technologies (BLEST) has completed manufacturing on its first prototype unit of its patented BioLargo AEC (Aqueous Electrostatic Concentrator).
The company said the prototype is being tested and will be installed on-site for its first field pilot in the coming months, where the technology will be vetted in tough field conditions for its ability to effectively and affordably eliminate per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) contaminants from water.
BioLargo said the technology has already been proven in lab-scale studies to eliminate 99% of PFAS from water in continuous flow while consuming as low as $0.30 in electrical costs per 1,000 gallons treated, representing a significant and potential cost savings compared to incumbent PFAS solutions like reverse osmosis and carbon sequestration technologies.
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Described as “forever chemicals,” PFAS contamination is estimated to affect up to 110 million people in the US. Numerous experts have linked PFAS to detrimental effects on human health and the environment due to their tendency to accumulate and persist in the environment and human body.
BioLargo said AEC is intended for two primary markets in the US and abroad: treatment of municipal drinking water to remove PFAS contamination and remediation of groundwater contaminated by PFAS.
Recent estimates suggest that the total addressable market for PFAS water treatment within the US will grow to $3.1 billion annually by 2030.
Once the first field pilot projects for the AEC have been successfully completed, the California-based company said it intends to commence the first commercial trials for the AEC.
“As with any new technology, the first field pilots are a critical step for the AEC,” said BioLargo Engineering President Randall Moore in a statement.
“We are confident our prototype will quickly gain recognition for its unmatched cost-efficiency for removal of PFAS, a technical challenge that has not yet been solved in a broadly feasible and affordable way. The AEC was designed from the ground-up to be a low-OPEX system that consumes very little electricity, and its components are easily sourced, durable, and affordable for most prospective installations.”
BioLargo CEO Dennis Calvert pointed out that experts believe removing PFAS from groundwater and contaminated soil will take decades to complete.
“Current PFAS technologies are expensive, inefficient, and cumbersome,” Calvert said. “Our engineering team are experts in this area, and this innovative AEC technology would not be possible without their extensive industry experience. We have key relationships in the water industry that can help prove out our AEC performance metrics and leverage the global opportunity through partnerships.”
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