"MycET Tm" an innovative and ecological sludge reduction process

 

The Saur group - which specialises in the delegated management of water, wastewater, energy and environmental services - has designed and developed an innovative and ecological process, which reduces - by up to 30% - the volume of sludge produced by wastewater treatment plants.

Researchers at the Saur group's technical department discovered that - by isolating certain micro-organisms, mycelium strains (mould), partially present in sludge - the volume was naturally reduced. The reduced matter is totally oxidised to form gaseous elements and water, which generate no residue or secondary pollution. The different mycelium strains were identified and isolated in advance, then gathered to form a cocktail which is combined with the sludge.

In order to ensure the production and supply of the cocktail in sufficient quantity, the Saur group signed an industrial partnership with Biovitis. The mycelium cocktail is developed on site by means of a bioreactor which allows the reproduction and bio-augmentation of the species. The bioreactor, which is permanently connected to the tank, automatically supplies the aerobic treatment tanks. The sludge can thus be integrated into the usual recycling or removal circuit without changing the ecosystem.

Thanks to the "MycET" process, the Saur group can offer a concrete, economic and ecological solution for the sludge removal and storage process. By considerably reducing the volume of sludge, the usual treatment costs are reduced. Today, the cost of recycling and removal processes range from 35 to 100 euros per tonne.

The implementation of the process requires standard structures and equipment. The conditions remain conventional - sludge concentration of 5 to 25 grams per litre, a minimum retention time in the aerobic digestion tank of 5 to 10 days, a pH and natural temperature and 1 to 3 milligrams of dissolved oxygen per litre.

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