NSF Engineering Research Center
and in Partnership with Industry
Testbeds
CASFER testbeds are mobile units (systems assembled in trailers, skid-mobile units) that integrate the technologies for the different thrusts, separations, catalysts, reactors, sensors, and control algorithms.
Mobile units enable transportation to points of interest, like farms near Texas Tech and FAMU, for crop testing. The units will also allow remote monitoring as well as video conferencing capabilities for training and support of EWD and DCI activities.
CASFER testbeds for different systems will be developed and are shown in the Table below.
Testbeds
NBF/PBF Production from CAFOs
Leads
Siebecker, Alvarez-Pugliese, Mbuya
Location
Snyder, TX with Western Texas College and FAMU-BAERS farm, FL
Efficiency, integration of components, durability, quality of NBF (e.g., composition, pathogens analysis), determination of minimum viable product (MVP), compliance with regulations, safety protocols
Evaluation/Testing
Next Gen NBF (Ammonia)
Leads
Gecgel
Location
TTU and MIT
Storage, dispensing of NBF, efficiency, intermittent operation, distributed production, MVP, compliance with regulations, safety protocols
Testing/Evaluation
NBF Field Testing
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Leads
Lewis, Mbuya
Location
TTU-Research farm and FAMU-BAERS farm
Mobile testbeds (1) to (3) will be evaluated at farms with crops (corn and cotton) to assess nutrient availability and uptake, plant growth and development. Comparison of CASFER NBF with commercial fertilizers (synthetic and organic)
Location
NBF Production from WWTPs
Leads
Millerick, Alvarez-Pugliese, Abichou
Location
WWTP at Lubbock and Tallahassee
Efficiency, integration of components, durability, quality of NBF (e.g., composition, pathogens analysis), determination of MVP, compliance with regulations, safety protocols
Testing/Evaluation