|
An innovative technology platform for the enhanced treatment of industrial wastewaters achieving cost reductions, electricity generation and enabling water reuse for non-potable applications.
| acronym: |
AquaCell |
| start: |
2010-12-01 |
| end: |
2012-11-30 |
| |
| programme: |
FP7 - Euroopa Liidu 7. raamprogramm |
| sub-programme: |
SME - Väikese ja keskmise suurusega ettevõtetele suuantud teadustegevused (VKEd) |
| instrument: |
BSG-SME - Teadustöö VKE huvides |
| call identifier: |
FP7-SME-2010-1 |
| project number: |
262040 |
| duration in months: |
24 |
| partner count: |
9 |
| |
| abstract: |
Major water using & discharging industries are of European importance, generating >€1500Bn & employing >7.5M people in 220,000 companies (90% SMEs). European growth in demand for water, finite reservoirs of readily treatable water, rising energy costs & increased environmental legislation means EU industry is experiencing competitive threats to cost efficient supply & treatment of water.
Unique Microbial Fuel Cells (MFC’s) features offer advantages for wastewater treatment, including: efficient electricity generation; minimal sludge formation; operation at low temperature; & modular cell design enabling operation at small scale & customisation to specific end-user requirements.
A group of SMEs have identified a unique opportunity to advance MFC technology for industrial wastewater treatment generating sustainable & competitive business growth. Key innovations include: MFC intimate coupling with photocatalytic advanced oxidation; a membraneless MFC cathode integrating convective proton transfer techniques; & a scalable cost efficient MFC & architecture design incorporating innovative process monitoring & control strategies. Features & benefits include:
- capital cost equivalence with existing aerobic treatment
- significant operational cost savings from
-recovery of organic content as electrical energy & achieving system sustainability (self-powering)
-enhanced treatment efficiency enabling water re-use for on-site non-potable applications
-significant cost reductions for sludge disposal & treated wastewater discharge to sewer
- Flexible design & operation customised to specific end-user (sector) requirements & enabling treatment of wastewaters of varying composition & containing hazardous micropollutants
A pilot scale MFC system will be demonstrated for a target industrial wastewater. AquaCell will generate ~€40M business growth for its SMEs within 3yrs creating 94 jobs; & the potential to benefit >29,700 major water using SMEs across Europe. |
|
