New Tech Makes Sewage Valuable

A new technology tested at a Scottish wastewater treatment plant turns sewage into pellets that can then be sold.

"The Sewage Recycling System was being tested by Scottish Water at Dunbar and Aviemore Waste Water Treatment Works and is the first installation in the UK," the Press and Journal reported. The technology is manufactured by Applied CleanTech.

The system aims to make sewage marketable by turning sewage into a substance called Recycllose, a pellet material, according to the report.

"The technology works using a fine filter to capture cellulose, fats and oils which can be pasteurized to produce a pellet material," the report said. "This can be used in paper, plastic, construction, energy and other industries."

Facilities in Mexico, Canada, Israel and the Netherlands are already using the technology, according to the report.

George Ponton, head of innovation at Scottish Water, explained that the technology saved power for the utility.

“It reduces our carbon footprint and emissions by using less power and resources, and increases the lifespan of the equipment we use to treat wastewater. Overall the addition of the process could reduce operating costs between 20 percent and 30 percent, and we can pass any potential savings on to our customers by keeping their water and wastewater charges low," he said, per the report.

"“By creating less sludge, we also don’t have to send as much of it to be processed at our sludge treatment center in Edinburgh. Sludge is a by-product of the wastewater treatment process and is treated under extremely strict regulations. In many cases the end product of this treatment is a recyclable soil nutrient," he continued.

Applied CleanTech says it is the first sewage mining company in the world "to convert wastewater into a valuable resource, while producing a dual source of income– sales of the SRS itself, and a recurring revenue stream from the process’ recycled by-product."

"Applied CleanTech’s sewage recycling system reduced the Dutch Waterschap Aa en Maas’ daily operational costs by about $2,700 in addition to reducing sludge by up to 30 percent, according to a report that examined the commercial potential of sewage mining," Environmental Leader reported.

The company is looking to expand.

"After successful global installations, Applied CleanTech enters its next round of investment, looking for partners in the UK that will join its success and continue its achievements in producing this new compound of recycled cellulose from an endless, untapped resource," according to a release from the company.

http://www.wateronline.com/doc/new-tech-makes-sewage-valuable-0001