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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.
For further information - click
here
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