Northwestern project scores DOE grant for environmentally friendly wastewater treatment research – The Daily Northwestern

Report on DOE Funding for Northwestern University’s Sustainable Water Management Initiative

Introduction

A cross-departmental research team at Northwestern University’s McCormick School of Engineering has been awarded a grant from the U.S. Department of Energy Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E). The funding, valued at approximately $2.7 million, supports the “Nitrogen and Phosphorus Recovery via Intensified Microbial Extraction” (N-PRIME) project. This initiative is critically aligned with several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by aiming to develop an environmentally and economically sustainable solution to wastewater pollution and resource recovery.

Project Objectives and Contribution to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

The N-PRIME project is designed to address environmental challenges through a circular economy model, directly contributing to the global sustainability agenda.

Core Objectives

1. To effectively remove nitrogen and phosphorus pollutants from wastewater sources, mitigating environmental degradation and public health risks.
2. To recover and convert these captured elements into valuable, sustainable fertilizers for the agricultural sector.

Alignment with Key SDGs

• SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation) & SDG 14 (Life Below Water): The project’s primary function is to improve water quality by removing nutrient pollutants. This directly supports SDG Target 6.3 by reducing pollution and enhances the protection of aquatic ecosystems from eutrophication, a key goal of SDG 14.
• SDG 2 (Zero Hunger) & SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production): By converting wastewater pollutants into fertilizer, the project establishes a circular system that supports sustainable agriculture (SDG 2). It exemplifies the principles of SDG 12 by reducing waste and creating value from it, moving away from a linear “take-make-dispose” model.
• SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure) & SDG 13 (Climate Action): The technology offers a sustainable alternative to the Haber-Bosch process, the current industrial standard for ammonia production, which is highly energy-intensive. This innovation promotes cleaner industrial processes (SDG 9) and contributes to climate action (SDG 13) by reducing energy consumption and associated emissions.

Technological and Economic Impact

Methodology

The N-PRIME technology utilizes a novel bio-based approach to achieve its goals. The process involves:

• Employing naturally occurring microbes that absorb and store nitrogen and phosphorus from wastewater.
• Sequestering these elements within the microbes as biopolymers.
• Harvesting the microbes and processing the biopolymers to create a sustainable fertilizer product.

Economic and Strategic Implications

The project aims to transition the technology from laboratory research to a pilot-scale operation, thereby de-risking it for future industrial adoption. Beyond its environmental benefits, the successful implementation of N-PRIME would yield significant economic advantages, including:

• Strengthening domestic supply chains by creating a U.S.-based source of ammonia for fertilizers.
• Reducing national reliance on imports from countries such as Canada and Trinidad and Tobago.
• Fostering a regenerative economic model where waste is redefined as a resource.

Conclusion

The Department of Energy’s investment in Northwestern University’s N-PRIME project underscores a strategic commitment to technologies that advance multiple Sustainable Development Goals simultaneously. By transforming wastewater treatment from a disposal problem into a resource recovery opportunity, this research has the potential to enhance environmental quality, support food security, and promote economic resilience in line with global sustainability targets.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. SDGs Addressed or Connected to the Issues

   The article highlights issues and solutions that are directly connected to several Sustainable Development Goals. The core of the research project—developing environmentally friendly wastewater treatment and resource recovery—touches upon goals related to water, industry, innovation, and sustainable production.

   • SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation

     This is the most prominent SDG addressed. The research project’s primary goal is to develop “environmentally and economically friendly solutions to wastewater pollution” by removing pollutants like nitrogen and phosphorus from water sources. This directly contributes to ensuring the availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all.

   • SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure

     The article discusses the development of a new technology (N-PRIME) as a sustainable alternative to the existing energy-intensive “Haber-Bosch process.” This focus on creating and implementing new, clean, and environmentally sound technologies to upgrade industrial processes aligns perfectly with building resilient infrastructure and fostering innovation.

   • SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production

     The project aims to create a “regenerative process” by not just treating waste but converting it into a valuable resource—fertilizer. The article quotes a researcher saying, “The idea here is we shouldn’t be wasting (chemicals), let alone emitting them as pollutants. We should be trying to get them back and using them for something useful.” This embodies the principles of a circular economy and sustainable management of natural resources, which are central to SDG 12.

   • SDG 2: Zero Hunger

     While not the primary focus, the project’s outcome of producing fertilizer from recovered nutrients directly supports sustainable agriculture. By creating a domestic and more sustainable source of fertilizer, the technology contributes to the resilience and sustainability of food production systems, a key aspect of achieving zero hunger.

2. Specific Targets Identified

   Based on the article’s content, several specific targets under the identified SDGs can be pinpointed.

   • Target 6.3: Improve water quality by 2030

     By 2030, improve water quality by reducing pollution, eliminating dumping and minimizing release of hazardous chemicals and materials, halving the proportion of untreated wastewater and substantially increasing recycling and safe reuse globally. The project’s goal to “intercept that waste” and remove nitrogen and phosphorus directly addresses the reduction of pollution and the treatment of wastewater.

   • Target 9.4: Upgrade infrastructure and retrofit industries to make them sustainable

     By 2030, upgrade infrastructure and retrofit industries to make them sustainable, with increased resource-use efficiency and greater adoption of clean and environmentally sound technologies and industrial processes. The article explicitly states the project aims to create an alternative to the “Haber-Bosch process,” which has “detrimental environmental impacts” and requires “large quantities of energy.” The N-PRIME technology is presented as a cleaner, more sustainable industrial process.

   • Target 12.2: Sustainable management and efficient use of natural resources

     By 2030, achieve the sustainable management and efficient use of natural resources. The project’s method of “sponging up” nitrogen and phosphorus from wastewater to convert them into fertilizer is a clear example of recovering and reusing natural resources that would otherwise be wasted and act as pollutants.

   • Target 12.5: Substantially reduce waste generation

     By 2030, substantially reduce waste generation through prevention, reduction, recycling and reuse. The research focuses on turning pollutants in wastewater into a valuable product, thus reducing waste and promoting a circular flow of resources, as described in the goal to “route it back for use in society.”

3. Indicators Mentioned or Implied

   The article implies several ways to measure progress towards the identified targets, even if it does not cite official SDG indicator codes.

   • Indicator for Target 6.3 (Implied)

     The article focuses on removing “nitrogen and phosphorus from water sources.” Progress could be measured by the proportion of wastewater treated by this new technology and the reduction in the concentration of nitrogen and phosphorus pollutants in the effluent. This aligns with the concept of Indicator 6.3.1 (Proportion of domestic and industrial wastewater flows safely treated).

   • Indicator for Target 9.4 (Implied)

     The new technology is contrasted with the energy-intensive Haber-Bosch process. An implied indicator would be the energy efficiency and carbon footprint of the N-PRIME process compared to the traditional method. This relates to Indicator 9.4.1 (CO2 emission per unit of value added), as the new technology would lower emissions for the same output (ammonia/fertilizer).

   • Indicator for Target 12.5 (Implied)

     The project’s success can be measured by the amount of nitrogen and phosphorus recovered from wastewater and converted into usable fertilizer. This serves as a direct measure of waste reduction and recycling, reflecting the principle of Indicator 12.5.1 (National recycling rate, tons of material recycled).

   • Indicator for Investment in Innovation (Implied)

     The article explicitly mentions that the project received a grant “valued at $2.7 million” from the U.S. Department of Energy. This funding is a direct indicator of investment in research and development for clean and sustainable technologies, which is a key component of achieving SDG 9, particularly Target 9.5 (Enhance scientific research).

4. Summary Table of Findings

   SDGs	Targets	Indicators (Mentioned or Implied in the Article)
   SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation	Target 6.3: By 2030, improve water quality by reducing pollution and halving the proportion of untreated wastewater.	Reduction in concentration of nitrogen and phosphorus pollutants in water sources; Increased proportion of wastewater treated effectively.
   SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure	Target 9.4: By 2030, upgrade industries to make them sustainable with greater adoption of clean and environmentally sound technologies.	Improved energy efficiency and reduced environmental impact compared to the traditional Haber-Bosch process.
   SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production	Target 12.5: By 2030, substantially reduce waste generation through recycling and reuse.	Quantity of nitrogen and phosphorus recovered from wastewater and converted into usable fertilizer, demonstrating a circular economy approach.
   SDG 2: Zero Hunger	Target 2.4: By 2030, ensure sustainable food production systems.	Creation of a sustainable and domestically produced fertilizer to support the agricultural industry.

Source: dailynorthwestern.com