Yokogawa and WEST collaborate to evaluate new pathogen detection technology
During 2024 and 2025, WEST Center is the host for collaborators from the Japanese corporation, Yokogawa Electric Corporation (Yokogawa). Representatives from this company, along with WEST Center experts, are engaged in a shared research project to evaluate the company’s integrated rapid pathogen identification (RAPID) system. WEST researchers involved in the project include Dr. Walter Betancourt, Dr. Andrea Achilli, Dr. Ian Pepper, and Dr. Charles Gerba, while Yokogawa leadership includes Dr. Yasuhiro Matsui, Dr. Keita Soda, Dr. Hiroyuki Katayama (University of Tokyo), and Yokogawa Engineers Takahisa Konishi and Mika Kawata.
Image 1. Prototype RAPID system for viral nucleic acid extraction, developed by Yokogawa
The technology being tested at WEST Center is designed to allow for rapid virus quantification downstream of membranes (e.g., in microfiltration and ultrafiltration systems), and can thus promptly ensure membrane integrity and system efficiency. With a focus on optimizing membrane operation, RAPID aims to reduce costly membrane fouling and chemical remedies. The on-site approach would also significantly improve current virus detection methods which can take from two days to several weeks to return results. This quicker turn-around reduces the risk of water quality degradation and better ensures the safety of treated water in the water recycling system.
The RAPID system, conceived by Yokogawa, is an integrated system that consists of three components:
- Viral concentration
- Viral nucleic acid extraction using a proprietary high temperature pressure (HTP) extraction method (Image 1)
- Detection and quantification of viral nucleic acid using RAPID-based molecular amplification (1-step RT-qPCR)
Image 2. Treated water from WEST engineering-scale UF-NF system is tested using the Yokogawa RAPID system
In the study, Yokogawa has provided a prototype RAPID system for viral nucleic acid extraction and standard operating procedure for validation testing. WEST Center is providing expertise and infrastructure for virus analyses for potable water reuse applications as well as the engineering-scale Ultrafiltration-Nanofiltration system that treats reclaimed water for on-site potable reuse.
The new technology will analyze water samples collected from tertiary treated effluent (UF feed) and UF permeates (Image 2). For comparison, researchers are additionally applying the U.S EPA virus adsorption-elution method currently in use for assessment of virus removal during advanced water treatment.
Results of the research collaboration will demonstrate how the new technology may be applied in the water reuse industry as well as provide guidance to Yokogawa engineers.