Zhang Receives NSF Award to Advance Cleaner Waste-to-Energy Technologies
JONESBORO – Arkansas State University has received a National Science Foundation (NSF) award totaling $177,108 to support research aimed at making waste-to-energy systems more efficient, sustainable, and environmentally friendly.
Given the highly competitive nature of federal funding, Dr. Chiqian Zhang, assistant professor of civil engineering, was surprised to learn he had received the funding.
“I felt a mixture of excitement, relief, and a little disbelief. The research plan is ambitious, and receiving the award means that all of the ideas and tasks I put on paper now have to become real experiments and real results. So, after the initial thought of, ‘Wow, I actually got it’ came the next thought: Well, now I have all of the hard work to do," said Zhang.
The project, "ERI: Alkaline Thermal Pretreatment to Improve Anaerobic Digestion of Sewage Sludge through Mitigating Volatile Sulfur Compounds: Reactor Performance, Pathways, and Mechanisms," is funded through the NSF ERI program.
"We are so proud of and excited for Dr. Zhang to be funded to conduct this important, applied research that can improve how we process our waste. As A-State continues its research growth, we have the opportunity to share these stories that show the diversity of research that A-State faculty and students pursue," said Dr. Travis Marsico, vice provost for research, innovation and discovery.
The research is led by Zhang, whose work focuses on improving anaerobic digestion, which is a process that uses naturally occurring microorganisms to convert organic waste into renewable energy in the form of methane.
Sewage sludge contains high levels of sulfur, which can produce harmful volatile sulfur compounds during anaerobic digestion. These compounds reduce methane production, create unpleasant odors, and corrode equipment, limiting the efficiency of wastewater treatment systems.
Zhang's research will investigate a new pretreatment method that combines heat and calcium oxide (lime) to reduce sulfur compound formation before anaerobic digestion begins. The approach has the potential to increase renewable methane production while extending the lifespan of treatment infrastructure and reducing environmental impacts.
The project combines laboratory reactor experiments, chemical analyses, microbial studies, and predictive modeling to understand better how sulfur behaves during the waste-to-energy process. The findings will help guide the design of more efficient anaerobic digestion systems for municipal wastewater treatment plants and other organic waste sources.
Zhang expresses his appreciation to those around campus who helped him get to this moment.
“I am extremely grateful for the opportunity, the Research and Tech Transfer (RTT) office, and the funding agency. The award gives us the resources to pursue research that I believe is both scientifically interesting and practically meaningful,” he said.
In addition to advancing environmental engineering research, the project will provide opportunities for students and strengthen partnerships with local wastewater treatment facilities to help translate research discoveries into practical applications.
“This will provide A-State students with hands-on research experience in environmental engineering, renewable energy, wastewater treatment, and advanced laboratory analysis. That educational component is very important to me because the impact of a research project is not limited to the data and papers it produces. It also includes the students who gain experience from doing the research,” Zhang added.
Zhang hopes that this will encourage other researchers to continue working on and improving their proposals for such an opportunity.
“Do not lose hope and keep trying. This is a challenging time for many researchers seeking federal and state support, and rejection is a normal part of academic life. Keep developing your ideas, because you never know when the good news will arrive," he said.
The two-year project began July 1, and continues through June 30, 2028, supporting A-State's commitment to developing innovative engineering solutions for sustainable energy production and environmental stewardship.
