Sludge Watch ==> Netherlands - New Technology for wastewater treatment

[maureen.reilly at sympatico.ca]

Science News

http://science.monstersandcritics.com/news/article_1176098.php/New_technology_water_purification_created

New technology water purification created
Jun 27, 2006, 17:47 GMT




DELFT, Netherlands (UPI) -- Dutch scientists say they`ve developed a 
technology that could drastically change the water purification within a few 
years.

Delft University of Technology researchers, in partnership with DHV 
Engineering, have developed a compact and environmentally friendly 
purification method, in which aerobic bacteria form granules that sink 
quickly.

With the new aerobic granular sludge technology, aerobic bacterial granules 
are formed in the water that is to be purified. The great advantage of the 
granules is that they sink quickly and that all the required biological 
purifying processes occur within the granules.

Delft scientists say the technology offers important advantages when 
compared with conventional water purification processes. For example, all 
the processes can occur in one reactor and there is no need to use large 
re-sinking tanks, such as those used for conventional purification.

The new technology purification system needs only a quarter of the space 
required by conventional installations and uses 30 percent less energy.

The aerobic granular sludge technology, now in its commercialization phase, 
has been nominated for the Dutch Process Innovation Award of 2006.