Reprinted from the May 2011 Edition of Maritime Reporter & Engineering News

Technology Profile

Photo-Catalytic SeparationRichard Fahs of Fahs Stagemyer believes hepossesses a critical technology piece in theBallast Water Treatment puzzle.

How did you come to develop the Photo-Catalytic Separation (PCS) system?Fahs After managing facilities for WiseFoods, I spent over 20 years in the aquacultureindustry. As early as the 1980s, I was unhappywith the current water purification methods inthe aquaculture industry. The choice for steril-ization of disease species, during this time,where dominated by UV, photonic, electro-chemical, mechanical filtration, electo-chori-nation, various chemical processes, oxidation,AOP, photo-electric, biocide chlorine dioxide,biocide (electrolytic generation of sodiumhypochlorite) Ozone, sonic energy, electrolyt-ic chlorination, cavitation, anoxic and aerobicenvironments, nitrogen super saturation, elec-tro-dialysis, ultrasound, and many others. Theproblem with these processes were that theyeither relied on a chemical reaction, produceda substance which entered into chemical reac-tions or produced some sort of by-product oraltered chemical along with the inactivation ofthe diseased species. I began researching PCSas a way to address these issues. The work thathas been performed under Fahs Stagemyer inthe past two years is actually a culmination ofmy efforts over the past 30 years.

In layman’s terms, describe your technologyand how it works.Fahs We have discovered a method toselectively cleave the atomic bonds in a mole-cule in order to break it down into benign com-ponents. This process can be used to dissociatethe molecules that make up organisms in bal-last water. While this is a light-based technol-ogy, the interactions between the photons andelectrons of the target molecule are fundamen-tally different from UV technology. What weare doing is neither oxidation nor photochem-istry. It is actually quantum mechanics.

What are the advantages of PCS?Fahs We believe that PCS is a perfect fitfor disinfecting ballast water treatment, as ourtesting has shown that it can overcome manyof the limitations found in other options. Let’s

talk about the three biggest criteria for shipowners first – effectiveness, costs, and foot-print.Effectiveness: We provide a 100% kill rate toorganisms, even some of the incredibly resist-ant critters like Tobacco mosaic andCryptosporidium. This can be done in turbidwater; we can even penetrate some solids.Costs: PCS is very energy efficient. A PCSsystem consumes 80% less energy than a con-tinuous wave mercury UV system. This great-ly reduces operating costs, and we can offer itat a competitive capital expense. Footprint: Since treatment occurs in one thirdof one second, we can easily integrate the sys-tem into existing waterflow. As a point of ref-erence, we expect our 2000 cu. m./hr. flow rateunit to only take up 8 sq. m. of floor space.Also, PCS can scale to any required flow ratewithout needing to run parallel modular units.A PCS unit does not produce any harmfulbyproducts, and can operate equally effective-

ly with regards to water temperature.Additionally, PCS can be easily modified onthe fly to target other contaminants present inballast water.

The system can be changed, remotely and “onthe fly” to target different contaminants. Canyou explain further?Fahs We are designing the PCS unit to betunable. Each contaminate, from an unwantedorganism to a volatile organic compound likeammonia, has a specific set of circumstancesrequired to selectively remove it from the envi-ronment. By inputting a change to the soft-ware, the PCS unit can adjust its operatingparameters to target the chemical makeup ofeach different contaminant.

What is the status of this system today as itapplies to shipboard BWT?Fahs The technology has been verifiedindependently at UConn and MIT. We are inthe process of building a small scale prototypein partnership with NASA through their SpaceAlliance Technology Outreach Program. TheSATOP agreement will also provide us withdesign drawings for larger flow rates.Additionally, we have identified a manufactur-er who we believe can work with us to build ahigh-quality, cost-effective unit. We are cur-rently looking for an investment or a partner inthe maritime industry to commercialize thePCS technology.There are many established systems on themarket already. What is the strategy: competeor cooperate?Fahs We see ourselves as a supplier of adisinfection solution to other ballast watertreatment manufacturers. We believe we have asolution to the limitations of the currentlyavailable disinfection methods in the market,and we look forward to forming partnershipswith other companies to make it available. Wesee cooperation is a key part of our strategy.Contact us through our website at:

www.fahs-stagemyer.com