Sludge Watch ==> Raw Sewage to Energy - Anaerobic Membrane Bioreactor Awarded

[Maureen Reilly]

Read online at: 
http://www.waterandwastewater.com/www_services/newsletter/march_17_2008.htm
.

Vol. 10 - No. 329
March 17, 2008
ISSN: 1533-449X
Copyright 1999-2007


In the News
  This issue

Submerged Anaerobic Membrane Bioreactor Awarded

London, UK -- Gut bugs that can turn raw sewage into energy was among the 
research projects recognized last week with Royal Society Awards aimed at 
supporting and encouraging innovation. The annual ceremony, organized by the 
Royal Society to help researchers commercialize their scientific ideas, saw 
Professor David Stuckey win the Brian Mercer Award for Innovation.

Professor Stuckey received the grant of £250,000 to develop a revolutionary 
new sewage treatment process which will use bacteria that primarily comes 
from the human lower intestine to breakdown effluent.

Professor David Stuckey said, "Current sewerage treatment technology, which 
uses oxygen to breakdown waste, is power intensive - using 5 per cent of all 
energy used in the UK - and produces thousands of tonnes of sludge which is 
difficult to dispose of."

Professor Stuckey believes he has developed an environmentally sound system 
which actually creates energy and clean water, and reduces sludge by 90 per 
cent.

The new funding will help Professor Stuckey to build and pilot a new plant, 
known as a Submerged Anaerobic Membrane Bioreactor (SAMBR), which will be 
located alongside the Cambridge Treatment Plant. His technology employs a 
revolutionary new technique which uses membranes to filter wastewater out 
for potential reuse, and bacteria that doesn’t require oxygen to breakdown 
waste.

Professor Stuckey says his bioreactor could be of particular benefit in 
countries where water is scarce. He also believes it could be used on a 
miniaturized scale, for example to treat waste in blocks of flats or small 
urban communities.

“Imagine a day when mini bioreactors, located under apartment buildings, are 
able to convert raw sewerage from flats into valuable methane gas for use in 
household heating, and treated water recycled back to flush toilets. Funds 
from my award will develop the world’s first low waste bioreactor which has 
the potential to revolutionize the way we deal with effluent,” said 
Professor Stuckey.

The Royal Society is an independent academy promoting the natural and 
applied sciences. Founded in 1660, the Society has three roles, as the UK 
academy of science, as a learned Society, and as a funding agency. Up to 150 
guests attended the event, which was held in the Welcome Trust Lecture Hall 
and chaired by Sir Peter William, treasurer of the Royal Society.

Source: http://www3.imperial.ac.uk/