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Vision
The Science Office of SolarBee, Inc. will lead the world in research on environmentally responsible solutions for water quality problems to protect human health and sustain aquatic ecosystems.
Mission
Provide the scientific foundation for development and validation of technologies that provide near-term solutions to targeted water quality problems in fresh-to-brackish waters, potable water and wastewater that are ecologically based, environmentally benign, powered by renewable energy and sustainable for the long term.
Goals
Conduct research for publication in the peer-reviewed scientific literature to support the development and validation of technological solutions to water quality problems. Assist SolarBee, Inc. Divisions and collaborators in: 1) development of technologies for application to water quality problems; 2) field demonstrations and validation of new technologies, and; 3) transfer of validated technologies to end user communities.
| Targeted Problem Objectives |
| Fresh-to-brackish waters: |
Prevent harmful algal blooms;
Expand aquatic community diversity;
Reduce invasive and nuisance macrophytes;
Oxygenate the hypolimnion and sediment;
Reduce sediment release of nutrients;
Reduce sediment release of toxins and odorants;
Reduce mercury methylation. |
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Potable water:
(Storage Tanks) |
Reduce loss of disinfectant;
Maximize disinfectant-contaminate contact time;
Reduce formation of disinfection byproducts;
Provide a system for boosting chlorine;
Provide a system for break-point chlorination;
Circulate disinfectant to all boundary layers to control biofilm;
Prevent formation of nitrite and nitrate in chloramine systems;
Prevent stratification, stagnation and water-layer age difference;
Minimize surface ice formation in cold winter climates. |
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| Wastewater: |
Prevent algae-caused BOD, TSS, and pH problems;
Improve ammonia gas-off, nitrification and denitrification;
Improve phosphorus removal by precipitation with metals;
Reduce aeration run time for significant energy savings;
Control odors with an aerobic cap on lagoons;
Reduce sludge buildup to avoid dredging costs. |
Approach
Conduct research internally and through collaborations with end users, academic institutions, governments, corporations and private organizations.
Technology
SolarBee, Inc. pioneered development of floating platforms with high-efficiency pumping systems powered by solar panels to produce radial, long-distance circulation (LDC) as the basis for solutions to a variety of water quality problems.
Staff
H Kenneth (Ken) Hudnell, PhD, Vice President and Director of Science;
Chris Knud-Hansen, PhD, CLM, Limnologist and Senior Scientist;
Joe Eilers, MS, CLM, Hydrologist and Science Associate;
Bruce Richards, PhD, CLM, Oceanographer and Science Associate.
Note: SolarBee’s Science Office includes 3 of about 60 Certified Lake Managers (CLM) in North America. The certification program of the North American Lake Managers Society indicates exceptional qualification in all aspects of lake management.
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