Development of an innovative technology for resource recovery from anaerobic treatment of sewage

Purpose and goal

Within Testbed Storsudret a new technology for direct recycling of wastewater is under development. The organic material is refund in a concentrate with 5 times less volume. In addition to the production of clean water, the technology opens up for so-called anaerobic treatment that produces net energy instead of consuming large amounts of energy. Due to the low temperature this technology has not been used in Sweden but in Brazil it is already used in full scale. Together we will develop this technology so that nutritional recovery also is included which will make the technology complete.

Expected results and effects

This project aims to develop an innovative technology for the recovery of nutrients from anaerobic treatment of wastewater. A success for the project would enable the introduction of highly energy efficient anaerobic treatment in Sweden as well as other large parts of the world with a high market potential. At a successful outcome, the technology will be developed so that it also enables the recovery of the nutrients wastewater. This is a must for future sustainable systems for wastewater treatment and will improve the nutritional status of Brazil´s lakes and watercourses.

Planned approach and implementation

The project will start by gathering all partners knowledge in the field (WP1) which enables the detailed planning for the development work in Brazil (WP3) and Sweden (WP4). Based on the results of the planning, the equipment will be prepared, and tests started up in Brazil (WP4) respectively Sweden (WP5). The results will continuously, in close corporation between Brazilian and Swedish partners, be jointly evaluated in WP6 and feed back to WP2 and WP3 for improvement of the planning and new test-runs in WP4 and WP5. This will be an iterative process during the entire project.