Test of new technology for improved treatment and recycling of phosphorous in wastewater designed for large scale
| Reference number | |
| Coordinator | BIOPTECH AB (PUBL) |
| Funding from Vinnova | SEK 1 200 000 |
| Project duration | December 2014 - March 2017 |
| Status | Completed |
Important results from the project
Successful tests have been performed in Somerton, UK for phosphorus removal in the final stage of the WWTP. This summer a continuation will be made in Somerton to determine the life length of the filter media and new tests will be done in Woz, Poland. Also reject water has been investigated as well as the possibility of using Polonite for sludge dewatering. Together with Biototal, a recycling process has been put together for managing, measuring and spreading saturated Polonite. Several contacts with potential customers and partners have been initiated in Sweden, Poland, Germany and UK.
Expected long term effects
Through this project, phosphorous removal for end polishing for wastewater treatment plants smaller than 20,000 person equivalents has been defined as a possible target market. Sludge dewatering on raw sludge has been defined as an interesting area for further testing. Reject water is due to its high phosphorus content, especially at biological WWTPs, an interesting application for Polonite. Few competing solutions can, as Polonite, both remove and recover phosphorus without any intermediate treatment.
Approach and implementation
Tests have been executed at three sites; Somerton (UK), Käppala (Sweden) and Woz (Poland). In all facilities follow-up tests are being discussed - or follow-up tests are even already planned. 6 of 10 water utilities in the UK monitor the tests at Somerton. Additional pilots are needed for further product packaging and target groups for the product, even though the interesting segments and sizes of the treatment plant has started to be mapped.