reusable water - innovation cluster

Reusable Water

Prof. dr. ir. Cees Buisman

Methane producing biomass granules

Reusable Water

Prof.dr.ir. Grietje Zeeman

Dr.ir. Hardy Temmink

Dr.ir. Tim Grotenhuis

Dr.ir. Harry Bruning

Dr.ir. Tim Hendrickx

Prof.dr.ir Bert van der Wal

Water treatment technologies always had, and still have, the primary objective to safely discharge municipal and industrial wastewaters to surface waters, and to reduce the risks associated with polluted groundwaters.

However, we are facing new and urgent water related challenges such as fresh water scarcity, a lack of nutrients (e.g. the phosphorus crisis), climate change, degradation and erosion of soils and the necessity for a more bio-based economy to make us less dependent on fossil feedstocks.

This explains why (polluted) water is increasingly considered a valuable resource for reusable water, energy, chemicals, nutrients and complex organic matter. Obviously, these new challenges only can be addressed properly if domestic and industrial water loops will be further closed, become interconnected, and new treatment technologies and concepts (together with the UETM group) will be developed that combine treatment and recovery of these resources.

The combination of (micro)biological and physic-chemical techniques provides new innovations in water technology.

Since fresh water and energy availability are closely related, energy efficient desalinization technologies are also researched by this team.

Micropollutants and pathogens

Tighter water loops should be implemented with great care, in particular to avoid health related risks

caused by the accumulation of recalcitrant, toxic organic micropollutants (e.g. pesticides, gas exhausts, medicines, hormones and consumer products) and of pathogens.

We investigate the behavior of these contaminants in water loops and work on several technologies, physical-chemical as well as biological, to remove them from wastewater and groundwater to make this water suitable for different applications such as irrigation water, industrial process water and even (secondary) household water. Examples of such technologies are charged activated carbon reactors to kill pathogens and inductive fluidized bed reactors or combined membrane-oxidation (biological or chemical) processes to remove organic micropollutants.

Organic micropollutants and their (bio)availability and removal also play a dominant role in protecting groundwater, as a valuable fresh water resource. The presence of these chemicals also hampers the development of soil contaminated sites into residential areas and the use of groundwater aquifers for combined heat/cold storage. Examples of treatment technologies we investigate for groundwater and contaminated soils and sediments are bioremediation, black carbon treatment and in-situ chemical oxidation.

The biological filter capacity of sediments and soils and aquifers is a sustainable ecotechnological concept and used to remove organic chemically and pathogenic micro-organisms from fresh water.


Dr.ir. Tim Grotenhuis

Organic matter and nutrients

Several wastewaters, industrial as well as domestic, are a rich source of organic matter and nutrients (phosphorus and nitrogen). Contemporary (biological) wastewater treatment mostly destroys the organic matter and converts it into CO2 and (low value) waste sludges at the expense of high fossil energy use.

We investigate technologies which produce energy or chemicals from this organic matter. A typical example is anaerobic wastewater treatment, producing the energy carrier methane. A technological challenge is to make anaerobic treatment applicable for different types of wastewater and conditions, f.e. for extreme temperatures and high salinity in closed (agro)industrial water loops and for relatively cold and diluted municipal wastewaters

We combine anaerobic treatment with recovery of nutrients by physical-chemical and biological technologies. Examples are the application of (phototrophic) microalgae to accumulate nitrogen and phosphorus from source separated urine and anaerobically treated black water, and electro-chemical recovery of phosphorus from nanofiltration concentrates. We also investigate

technology to combine algae based nutrient recovery and CO2 fixation with the production of valuable organic chemicals and reuse of inorganics.

Often, water pollution also results in contaminated biological waste sludges and sediments. We investigate ways to prevent this pollution or upgrade these waste materials in such manner that they can be applied for soil supplementation and in this manner counteract soil degradation and erosion.

Desalination and sea-mining

Saline water provides an immense source for fresh process water and drinking water. Unfortunately, the desalination technology that is used today (e.g. reversed osmosis membranes) is expensive and requires a high energy input.

We investigate innovative electrochemical techniques such as capacitative deionisation and combinations of membrane separation and electrochemical technology to reduce these costs and energy demand. Similar technologies in the future also may be applied for sea-mining, for example to harvest scarce metals from seawater.

Maximum reuse of carbon, phosphorus and water from domestic waste(water)

Researcher

Taina Tervahauta

Supervisor

Dr. ir. Grietje Zeeman

Dr. Ir. Hardy Temmink

Promotor


May 2010 - 2014

CV Researcher;

Graduated;

Hobbies;

e-mail;

tel;

website;

Taina Tervahauta

Tampere University of Technology, Water and Waste Management Engineering (2010)

Astanga Yoga, snowboarding and swimming

[email protected]

058-2843000

www.wetsus.nl

Motivation

Concepts of decentralized sanitation and reuse (DeSaR) have the potential to maximize the recovery and reuse of resources in the otherwise considered waste(water). DeSaR concepts are based on the source separation of waste streams, e.g. black water (urine and feces), grey water, rain water and organic solid waste.

In the past 10 years, knowledge has been gained about different DeSaR concepts, for example: UASB reactors for energy recovery from black water; recovery of nutrients from black water (or just urine) as struvite; grey water treatment in diverse biological and physical chemical processes; and recovery of energy from grey water with an A-trap system. There is a need to improve the current systems for a higher recovery, lower complexity and energy consumption. At the same time the environmental and health risks should be minimized.

Technological challenge

The technological challenge is to improve and optimize DeSaR concept(s), with the following goals

Maximization of recovery of carbon, phosphorus, nitrogen and potassium.

Minimization of systems complexity (number of treatment units)

Minimization of energy use

Minimization of environmental and hygienic risks

Reuse of grey water as water source

Reuse of black water sludge as soil conditioner

Research questions: Under which circumstances is urine separation from feces preferable above black water collection? Where to recover phosphate; in the anaerobic reactor or in an external treatment unit? How to integrate the recovery of energy of grey and black water? How to treat the anaerobic sludge for reuse in agriculture? How to reuse grey water in the household?

Grey water

Black water (urine + feces)

Kitchen waste

Rain water

CV Researcher;

Graduated;

Hobbies;

e-mail;

tel;

website;

Christel Kampman

Wageningen University, MSc Environmental Technology (2007)

Jiu-jitsu, hiking, photography, painting

[email protected]

0317-485274

www.ete.wur.nl

Denitrification with dissolved CH4 from anaerobic digestion: DAMO

Researcher

Ir. Christel Kampman

Supervisors

Dr. ir. Hardy Temmink


Promotor


Sep 2007 - 2011

Motivation

Municipal wastewater is mainly treated by (aerobic) activated sludge processes. In this process the organic pollutants are mineralized to CO2, and in this manner their potential energy is destroyed. An attractive alternative is anaerobic conversion of the organic pollutants into methane, an energy carrier. However, in contrast to activated sludge processes, anaerobic treatment does not remove nitrogen, and at lower temperatures is limited by a slow hydrolysis of suspended and colloidal matter. In addition, at low temperatures the effluent still may contain considerable dissolved concentrations of the global warming gas methane.


When methane is used as electron donor for denitrification (Denitrification through Anaerobic Methane Oxidation or DAMO), this would remove both dissolved CH4 and nitrogen from the effluent of anaerobic treatment and eliminate the need to add an expensive external organic electron donors for (heterotrophic) denitrification: 3 CH4 + 8 NO2

- + 8 H+ 3 CO2 + 4 N2 + 10 H2O Enrichment of bacteria performing DAMO conversion was first described in 2006 (Raghoebarsing et al, 2006). The challenge in this research is to develop a system with DAMO for low-temperature post-treatment of effluent from anaerobic treatment. However, reported growth rates are extremely slow. Therefore, DAMO bacteria first need to be enriched and DAMO growth will be monitored by molecular techniques. Once sufficient biomass is available, appropriate reactor types will be selected and tested at laboratory-scale. Because of the slow growth rates these reactors need a very good biomass retention system. The best

performing DAMO reactor will be integrated in a system with anaerobic sewage treatment and partial nitrification (from NH4

+ to NO2-). The latter

process is required to convert NH4+ present in the

effluent from anaerobic treatment to NO2-, which is

the substrate for DAMO. Anaerobic sewage treatment and an alternative nitrogen removal process, Anammox, are studied in another research project. Anammox and DAMO will be compared for process stability, nitrogen and methane removal efficiencies, emission of nitrogen oxides, cost-effectiveness and removal of micropollutants.

DAMO enrichment reactors.

References: Raghoebarsing et al. (2006), A microbial consortium couples anaerobic methane oxidation to denitrification, Nature, 440 (7086), pp. 918-921.

Post-treatment of municipal wastewater using algae

Researcher

Nadine Boelee

Supervisor

Dr. ir. Marcel Janssen


Promotor

Prof.dr.ir. René Wijffels


Dec 2008 - 2012

CV Researcher;

Graduated;

Hobbies;

e-mail;

tel;

website;

Nadine Boelee

Wageningen University, Msc Environmental Sciences (2008)

Playing the clarinet

[email protected]

058-2843185

www.bpe.wur.nl/UK

Motivation

As part of the European Water Framework Directive the effluent demands of, among others, nitrogen and phosphorus will become stricter in the near future.

Current and future effluent demand for nitrogen and phosphorus

As a result of this development, post-treatment will be needed in the wastewater treatment plants. A system using algae forms a good post-treatment system. Algae take up nitrogen and phosphorus to assimilate into biomass, using readily available CO2 and sunlight as carbon source and energy source.

Algal biofilms offer several advantages over suspended systems as: - biomass is easier to harvest - no suspended matter in effluent - low energy requirement (no mixing) - vertical placement is possible (preferable as it

gives higher photosynthetic efficiency due to light dilution)


The goal of this project is to develop an algal photo-biofilm system for the post-treatment of municipal wastewater. This system is primarily aimed to remove residual nitrogen and phosphorus in wastewater. The challenge is to develop a process with high nitrogen and phosphorus removal during both day and night. And moreover, to minimize the land requirement for this biosolar process by obtaining a high photosynthetic efficiency. In addition, the symbiotic relationship between algae and bacteria in a biofilm can be used. In this scenario algae and bacteria provide each other with O2 and CO2, while cleaning the effluent

Schematic overview of an algal biofilm system

Algal biofilms in flowcells of the experimental setup

CV Researcher;

Graduated;

Hobbies;

e-mail;

Tel:

website;

Thobias Bigambo

University of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, Water Resources Engineering (2003)

Watching TV, traveling, reading newspapers & chatting

[email protected]

+255713476956, 255783442291

www.ete.wur.nl

Developing innovative systems for excreta collection, disposal, treatment, and reuse for urban low income communities in east Africa

Researcher

Thobias Bigambo

Supervisor


Promotor

Prof. dr. ir. Jules van Lier

Nov 2006 - 2010

Motivation

In peri-urban areas in low-income countries, conventional centralized approaches for wastewater management have generally failed to address the needs of communities for collection and disposal of domestic wastewater and faecal sludge from on-site sanitation On-site sanitation installations will serve the growing urban populations in developing countries for decades to come. As a consequence, growing quantities of faecal sludge will have to be managed The anaerobic co-digestion of human excreta and food/market waste is of considerable interest, since it maximizes biogas production and it produces stabilized organic matter, which eventually can be used as a soil conditioner after minor treatment. In the proposed set-up anaerobic digestion represents the core method for a sustainable environmental protection and resource conservation technology.


This research aims at developing an innovative system for excreta disposal, collection, treatment, and reuse for urban low income communities, which is cost effective, compact, flexible and robust. The research specifically will look at the optimization of biogas production from anaerobic co-digestion of human excreta and food or market waste. The addition of food wastes increases the renewable energy production in digestion system and creates economical benefit of food waste disposal. Hygienisation of the digested faecal matter for safe reuse is another focal point in the research. Endemic disease chains such as parasitic worms and bacterial infections that are generally brought about by unsafe handling of excreta needs to be disrupted. The effectiveness of solar powered heat treatment will be investigated using plain mechanical devices. The overall system is based on the zero energy use, low operation costs, and direct economic benefit to the users.

CV Researcher;

Graduated;

e-mail;

tel;

website;

Brendo Meulman

Van HALL Institute, BSc. in Environmental Sciences (2004) and Wageningen University (ETE), MSc. In Environmental Technologie (2006) [email protected]

0515-428680

www.desah.nl

Full scale demonstration of vacuum collection, transport and treatment of black water.

Researcher

Brendo Meulman

Supervisor


Promotor


Jan 2008 - 2012

Motivation

Domestic solid waste and wastewater form potential source of nutrients, energy and water. Source separation and decentralized treatment may lead to efficient utilization of valuable components and to at least 25% reduction in drinking water consumption. In the current centralized approach of collection and treatment their usefull value is for a large part lost. In the considered DeSaR (Decentralised sanitation and Reuse) concept ‘extremely’ low flush vacuum toilets together with the belonging transport system for black water are used. Thanks to low flush water use (1L per flush), the black water remains strongly concentrated, with a high-energy potential, enabling anaerobic digestion with recovery of biogas.


In Sneek, a city in the northern part of Holland, a new housing estate of 32 houses is provided with a collection, transport and treatment system for black water. The 32 houses are each equipped with 2 vacuum toilets. A central station, comprising vacuum pump, receiver tank and transfer pump is situated in a cellar outside. From the receiver tank the black water is pumped towards a nearby garage where the treatment system for black water is installed. The scientific challenge of this research is to test and evaluate the black water treatment system that consists of several treatment technologies that remove/recover organic material, like anaerobic digestion at different temperatures, and nutrients (nitrogen and phosphate), like struvite production and autotrophic ammonia removal.

CV Researcher;

Graduated;

Hobbies;

e-mail;

tel;

website;

Kanjana Tuantet

Wageningen University, Environmental Technology (2009)

Photography

[email protected]

0317-482909

www.ete.wur.nl

Algae to upcycle nutrients from concentrated urine and UASB-digested wastewater

Researcher

Kanjana Tuantet

Supervisor


Dr.ir. Marcel Janssen Dr. ir. Grietje Zeeman

Promotor


Dr. ir. René Wijffels

Feb 2009 - 2013

Motivation

In domestic wastewater, about 75% of total nitrogen and 50% of total phosphorus originates from human urine. In source separated sanitation concepts, the major wastewater streams can be divided into black water (from toilets), and grey water (from others activities in the household). An upflow anaerobic sludge blanket (UASB) can be used for on-site treatment of black water and allows a high amount of total COD to be converted into the energy carrier methane. However, in the effluent from this process, high amounts of nitrogen and phosphorus are still present and needed to be removed or recovered. Urine can be separated from black water. As it contains high concentration of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, it can be use as fertilizer but application of urine directly as fertilizer is restricted in some countries.


By separating urine from black water, urine can be treated separately, which offers the possibility to recover nitrogen and phosphorus at the same time. When cultivating algae on source-separated urine, and as well as UASB-digested wastewater, nitrogen, phosphorus, and other micronutrients can be recovered at the same time. The harvested algal biomass can be used as, at least, a fertilizer or extracted for valuable compounds. This research aims at determining the appropriate technology to treat and recycle nutrients from concentrated human urine and UASB-digested wastewater by algae cultivation. Technical challenges are to optimize growth and nutrient recovery efficiency of the algae cultivated in concentrated urine and to apply the algal photobioreactor following the UASB reactor for on-site treatment of black or brown water.

Black water from vacuum toilets

UASB (ST)

Biogas

Struvite (MAP) precipitation

Autotrophic N removal (OLAND)

Final polishing

Excess sludge or stabilized sludge for reuse

MAP (fertilizer) Excess sludge (small amounts)

Discharge

Existing treatment processes for nutrient removal or recovery from black water

New concept for treatment of urine and UASB-digested wastewater

Anaerobic digester /UASB

CO2

O2

O2

Light

Energy

Reuse or

Discharge

Clean

Biogas

Biomass

Burning

CO2 supplement

Urine (Yellow water)

Faeces (Brown water)

CV Researcher;

Graduated;

Hobbies;

e-mail;

tel;

website;

Philipp Kuntke

University Duisburg-Essen, Water Science (2006)

Swimming, Volleyball, Cycling

[email protected]

058 2843184

www.ete.wur.nl

Recovery of Nutrients and Energy from Source Separated Urine

Researcher

Philipp Kuntke

Supervisor

Dr. ir. Harry Bruning

Dr.ir. Grietje Zeeman

Dr.ir. Sybrand Metz

Promotor


Oct 2007 - 2011

Motivation

On average one person excretes 1.5 liter urine per day. In the conventional sanitation concept, within central waste water treatment plants, urine is diluted many times with other waste water streams. This dilution prevents the recovery of valuable components and an effective removal of micropollutants, like hormones and medicines. With the application of a source separation concept a concentrated urine stream can be obtained. Urine contains approximately 80% of the nitrogen (N), 70 % of the potassium (K), 50% of the phosphorus (P) and 10% of the COD present in waste water. Moreover, micropollutants are present at a high concentration In this concentrated stream, the recovery of nutrients, energy and removal of micropollutants becomes more efficient.

Urine composition Analyzed 24h mixed urine sample


The main objective is to test and develop technologies for the recovery of nutrients and energy from human urine. The challenge is to separate, convert and collect different valuable fractions, e.g. MgNH4PO4, K+-salts, Ca2+-salts, NH3 and energy. Urine for this project will be collected by using a Roediger separation toilet and an Urimat® water free urinal. The goal is to produce products that fit the market demand for reuse. New Process Application

ial F

Microbial Fuel Cells

MCDI

Parameter Concentration [g/L]

COD 9.6

BOD 6.4

TOC-TC 9.6

NH4+ 0.3

Total-N 7 .4

Proteins 0.1

Fatty acids 0.04

Cl- 4.4

SO42- 3.0

PO43- 4.0

Na+ 3.0

K+ 2.0

Mg2+ 0.1

CV Researcher;

Graduated;

Hobbies;

e-mail;

tel;

website;

Lena Faust

University of Duisburg-Essen, Germany, Water-Science (2009)

Swimming and running, reading, traveling

[email protected]

058-284 31 88

http://www.mbr-network.eu/

High loaded MBR for improved energy recovery from sewage

Researcher

Lena Faust

Supervisor

Dr. ir. H. Temmink

Promotor

Prof. Dr. ir. H.H.M . Rijnaarts

Dec 2009 - 2013

Motivation

Dutch water boards have expressed a strong incentive to improve the energy efficiency of their wastewater treatment plants. This incentive could be met if sewage organic matter is converted into the energy carrier methane. The aerobic sludge process has been the most common treatment technology for sewage during the last decades, mainly because it is robust and provides an effluent quality that meets the discharge demands. However, the activated sludge process hardly can be considered a sustainable technology: it largely destroyes the potential energy of the organic compounds present in the sewage, while at the same

time it consumes energy for aeration. Therefore a new process has to be developed to efficiently use the energy present in the sewage and convert it into an utilizable energy carrier.


In the activated sludge process microorganisms metabolize the carbon organic matter present in the wastewater to produce more biomass. Microorganisms grow on the dissolved and readily available organic matter and will produce bioflocculants to further flocculate the waste solids via polymers such as extracellular polymeric substances. The membrane bioreactor (MBR) process combines the biological degradation step done by the microorganism with direct solid-liquid separation by membrane filtration. The MBR process offers a process that could produce higher quality effluent compared to conventional treatment process and requires a much smaller footprint.

Methane is produced under anaerobic conditions. Anaerobic treatment is common in practice, but limited to high-strength (typically >1000 mg/L of COD) and warm (typically >20 ˚C) industrial wastewaters. With an appropriate pre-concentration step for suspended and colloidal organic matter, anaerobic treatment technology could also provide a suitable treatment technology under moderate climate conditions. The technological challenge is to develop a treatment system which combines a high loaded MBR bioflocculation process with the production of methane under anaerobic conditions (figure 1).

Fig. 1 Aerobic bioflocculation combined with anaerobic methane

productionells

CV Researcher;

Graduated;

Hobbies;

e-mail;

tel;

website;

Rosa Elena Yaya Beas,MSc

National University of Engineering -Peru (1997) ,

Wageningen University (2003), Wastewater treatment, sanitation projects, water nets modelling

Listening music, biking, camping

[email protected]

++511-985 851 800

Development of integrated, compact treatment systems for the safe use of reclaimed domestic wastewaters in irrigated agriculture wastewater

Researcher

Rosa Elena Yaya Beas

Supervisor


Prof. Dr. ir. Jules van Lier

Promotor

Prof. Dr. ir. Jules van Lier

Sep 2007 - 2011

Motivation

The increasing population and concomitant increase in domestic water use in developing countries leads to massive sewage water flows. As current facilities are not sufficient, the raw and partly treated sewage flows are threatening: - the immediate living environment, - human health, - receiving water bodies like surface waters and

underground aquifers, - Agricultural land soil. The presence of microbial pathogens in polluted, untreated and treated waters poses a considerable health risk to the general public. The current proposed research is focused on pathogens removal from domestic sewage using cost-effective compact systems with the main objective to reclaim the treated effluent for unrestricted irrigation in urban and peri-urban locations


The proposed PhD project aims at developing an integrated cost-effective sewage treatment technology that specifically aims at reducing the pathogenic organisms below the restrictive guidelines for agricultural reuse. The foreseen repetitive implementation in particularly the rural and peri-urban zones, demands a minimum on space requirement.

The compact system will consist of an anaerobic pre-treatment followed by/or integrated with an aerobic step and an optional disinfection unit. The anaerobic step will be optimised to effectively remove the filterable pathogens like helminth’s ova and protozoa cysts, while the aerobic treatment step will scavenge pathogens associated to the colloidal fraction.

CV Researcher;

Graduated;

Hobbies;

e-mail;

tel;

website;

Bob Laarhoven

University of Groningen, Marine Biology (2007)

Survivalruns, Scuba diving, NGvA committee member

[email protected]

058-2843189

www.wetsus.nl

Valorization of aquatic waste streams: From waste to worm

Researcher

Bob Laarhoven

Supervisor

Dr. Hellen Elissen


Promotor


Sept 2010 - 2014

Motivation

Animal feed often relies on the addition of natural resources which are overexploited. E.g., the production of fishmeal and fish oil for fish feed is getting very controversial and unsustainable in this way. Nutrient recovery is therefore becoming more and more important. As a consequence, clean and sustainable alternatives for natural resources should be found. A promising option is the cultivation of freshwater worms of the species Lumbriculus variegatus. Due to their high content of protein and other functional ingredients, like poly-unsaturated (ω-3 and ω-6) fatty acids, they have a high potential to replace natural resources of protein and lipid, in fish feed.


L. variegatus can be applied for sludge reduction and compaction in municipal wastewater treatment. A reactor concept, with worms immobilized in a carrier material, was developed for this purpose.

Reactor concept for sludge processing using the aquatic worm Lumbriculus variegates

However, worm biomass grown on municipal sludge contains low pollutant concentrations which limits it’s controlled re-use. Worm biomass grown on “clean” organic (waste) streams has a much broader application potential. In this way these organic streams are upgraded in value.

Schematic overview of the process for producing clean worm biomass The project will focus on the biosynthesis, production and recovery of functional ingredients from suitable waste streams. To do so a reactor system in which the worms can be easily separated from the liquids will be used and further developed. Research will focus on:

Exploring different waste streams for their potential use in worm production

Waste stream and worm composition

Methods to harvest the worm biomass and recovery of energy and nutrients from the worm faeces

Reactor design scale-up

Researcher:

Graduated:

Hobbies:

e-mail:

tel:

website:

Chris Derry

University of Cape Town, School of Medicine, 1987

Swimming, hiking, playing jazz piano

[email protected]

0061-2-45701731

http://www.uws.edu.au/natural_sciences/sns/academic_staff_profiles/senior_lecturer_chris_derry

Health risk monitoring, assessment and management of recycled wastewater irrigation in agricultural food production

Researcher

Chris Derry

Supervisor

Prof.dr.ir Huub Rijnaarts

Dr.ir. Frans Huibers

Promotor

Prof.dr.ir. Huub Rijnaarts

2011 - 2012

Motivation

Unpredictable rainfall patterns combined with rapid urban growth in Australia and other parts of the World have made the recycling of urban wastewater for crop and pasture irrigation an essential food production strategy. While flow volumes of urban effluent are highly dependable, a potential health challenge exists in terms of direct and indirect exposure to human pathogens. To enable agricultural producers to limit this risk a simple but robust system of health risk monitoring, assessment and management was needed, and developing and transferring this technology was prime motivator.


Firstly a “fit for purpose” system of irrigation water monitoring was developed based on a minimal health and operational parameter set, including thermotolerant coliforms (TC), biochemical oxygen demand (BOD5), electrical conductivity (EC), suspended solids (SS), total nitrogen (TN) and total phosphorus (TP). Relevant local action thresholds were developed for comparison of results to give a quantitative underpinning for building the ordinal matrices used for exposure-risk estimation.

Example of health indicator action thresholds by use

Intended irrigation use Health indicator (TC CFUs/100 ml)

Silviculture, turf, cotton <10 000

Pasture and non-dairy fodder <1 000

Pasture/fodder, 5-dy withhold <1 000

Human-food crops, subsurface irrigation, or peeling, cooking

<1 000

General pasture and fodder <100

Salad crops. Direct contact <10

Next a method for adding value to minimal quantitative data using qualitative information from environmental inspection and action group meetings with communities of practice (COPs) was established. Estimation of risk was simplified by adopting a linear model based on r = p x c, where p is the probability of a site-related hazard occurring, and c is the anticipated health consequence. Ordinal ranking tables were developed based on local conditions to assign values to p, c and u (uncertainty associated with estimation of each co-factor). Strategies for effective risk communication were researched within the framework of a risk management model which allowed stakeholders to take ownership of monitoring and intervention. To enhance reliability of intervention, critical control points were identified in the reticulation for monitoring and control through early cessation, reflux or diversion of flow to onsite storages for natural stabilization. Decision trees were developed to guide operators in the types of daily intervention required to reduce risk to within an acceptable level. The technological challenge in the next phase involves extending the model for transfer to developing countries where water availability, disease endemicity, irrigation practices and food types must be taken into account if effective interventions are to be secured. Transfer to rapidly industrializing areas with limited water quality control presents a further modeling challenge beyond this thesis, to control and prevent potential indirect human exposure via irrigated food to a range of toxic substances, such as PAHs, PCBs, heavy metals, pesticides, disinfection products and endocrine disrupting pharmaceuticals.

CV Researcher;

Graduated;

Hobbies;

e-mail;

tel;

website;

Andrii Butkovskyi

Lund University, Biotechnology (2009)

History, Reading, Languages

[email protected]

0626-742446

Removal of micropollutants & pathogens within Separation at Source concepts

Researcher

Andrii Butkovskyi

Supervisor

Dr. ir. G. Zeeman

Dr. ir. L. Hernandez Leal

Promotor

Prof. dr. ir. H.H.M. Rijnaarts

Oct. 2010 - 2014

Motivation

A fast development in “New sanitation” (or Separation at Source) concepts has been shown since the late 1990’s. These concepts are based on separate collection, transport, treatment and reuse of black water and grey water streams, which significantly differ in composition and volumes.

Within Separation at Source concepts wastewater is considered to be a renewable water source, as well as a valuable source of energy (i.e. biogas) and nutrients (i.e. N, P, K). However, black water contains pharmaceuticals, human hormones and pathogens, while grey water contains personal care and household products as well as pathogens. The challenge is to ensure the production of high quality products, viz. water, sludge and nutrients with respect to micropollutants and pathogens.


The aim of the PhD project is to establish the removal of micropollutants (pharmaceuticals, hormones, personal care and household products) and pathogens in the biological black and grey water treatment systems. Special focus is set on the partitioning of micropollutants and pathogens between solid and liquid phases. The development of additional post-treatment steps for micropollutants removal is the major technological challenge.

Sludge

Discharge Reuse

SHARON

UASB Bioflocculation

Aerobic treatment

Pharmaceuticals (P) Personal Care Estrogens (E) Products (PCP) Pathogens (Pt) Pathogens (Pt)

(PCP, Pt?) Sludge (PPCP, E, Pt?)

(PPCP, E, Pt?) (PCP, Pt?)

(PPCP ,E, Pt?) (PCP, Pt?)

CV Researcher;

Graduated;

Hobbies;

e-mail;

tel;

Oane Galama

Wetsus Academy / Wageningen University (2010)

Sports and nature

[email protected]

058 – 2843 174

Seawater pre-desalination with electrodialysis

Researcher

Oane Galama

Supervisor

Dr. ir. Jan Post

Dr. ir. Bert Hamelers

Promotor

Prof. dr. ir. Huub Rijnaarts

Dr. ir. Jan Post

Jan 2011 - 2014

Motivation

Due to rapidly increasing fresh water scarcity, seawater desalination for drinking water production becomes an important option. Seawater reverse osmosis is currently the most used non-thermal technique for seawater desalination. Seawater reverse osmosis has some drawbacks of which the most important are a low water recovery, a relatively high energy consumption and the need for capital and energy intensive pre-treatment. A breakthrough to counter these issues cannot be expected within the development of high-pressure reverse osmosis membranes. Electrodialysis can be further developed to overcome the current limitations in seawater desalination using reverse osmosis, by lowering the osmotic pressure of the seawater.


Desalination of water with electrodialysis is mainly limited by the low conductivity of the dilute stream. Therefore it is more likely that electrodialysis is considered as a candidate technique for desalination of seawater that has a much higher conductivity. Thermodynamically the desalination from salt water to brackish water is also more advantageous than desalination of brackish water to fresh water. Another advantage is that electrodialysis needs little pre-treatment. The combination of these features makes further development of electro dialysis attractive as a suitable pre-treatment step for reverse osmosis. The principle of electrodialysis is given in Figure 1. By changing current and or throughput of the system the salinity of diluate and concentrate can be controlled.

The aim of this research project is to investigate and develop a suitable process in which the desalination work could approach the thermodynamic limit at a maximum water recovery. This implies a reduction of energy use of about 50% to 2.0 kWh / m3 and minimizing seawater pre-treatment effort. affordable microbial fuel cell.

Figure 1. Schematic overview of an electrodialysis cell to desalinate sea water to brackish water.

CV Researcher;

Graduated;

Hobbies;

e-mail;

tel;

website;

Christina Kappel

Cranfield University, Water and Wastewater Technology (2009)

Fieldhockey, Running, Drawing

[email protected]

058-2843179

www.wetsus.nl

Treatment of Nanofiltration concentrates

Researcher

Christina Kappel

Supervisor

Dr. B.G. Temmink

Dr. A.I.B. Kemperman

Promotor

Prof. Dr. H.H.M. Rijnaarts

Prof. Dr. W. van der Meer

Nov 2009 - 2013

Motivation

Due to water scarcity reuse of water becomes more and more important. Tertiary treatment of municipal wastewater by nanofiltration (NF) can produce a high quality effluent that is suitable for industrial applications, irrigation and can even be upgraded to produce drinking water. The disposal of nanofiltration concentrates presents a serious bottleneck, while at the same time the concentrate offers the potential for reuse. For example, it contains high concentrations of phosphate, which therefore can be recovered more easily.


A membrane bioreactor (MBR) is used as a secondary wastewater treatment step leading to high quality effluent. The solids free water does not need any further treatment before it is applied to a subsequent NF process. NF rejects multivalent ions such as calcium, phosphate and heavy metal ions, as well as organic micropollutants. These end up in high concentrations in the concentrate, which may offer the possibility of a more efficient treatment (heavy metals and organic micropollutants) or recovery (phosphate e.g. as a valuable fertilizer). Possibly, the remaining concentrate can be recycled to the MBR. This needs to be investigated further as it may be toxic to the microorganisms in the bioreactor. The recycled multivalent cations (f.e Ca2+) may enhance the (bio-) flocculation processes in the MBR, contributing to less membrane fouling.

The challenge is to test appropriate process steps that treat the NF concentrate and to incorporate these steps into the flow sheet of the reactor system. One of the first steps will be the testing of different NF membranes leading to a final choice for one that is most appropriate for treating MBR effluent and making recycle and recovery of compounds more feasible. Finally, the aim is a review of the overall processes with respect to treatment and operational performance.

CV Researcher;

Graduated;

Hobbies;

e-mail;

tel;

website;

Jan W. Post

MSc: Delft Univ., Civil Engineering (2000); PhD: Wageningen Univ., Environmental Tech. (2009)

Family, Pastoral care, Dutch literature

[email protected]

06 – 516 92193

www.ete.wur.nl

Towards a reversible thermodynamic process for desalination

Veni Research-fellow

Dr. ir. Jan post

March 2010 - 2013

Motivation

Desalination of seawater and brackish water could significantly contribute to the global problem of water scarcity. It is, however, often considered being too energy-consuming and too expensive. Seawater Reverse osmosis (SWRO) is currently the only non-thermal technique for seawater desalination. SWRO has a low water recovery (determined by the osmotic pressure to max. 50%) and a relatively high energy consumption (3-5 kWh/m3). The question is if there is a way in which a change can be made from “a low recovery determined by the osmotic pressure” towards “a higher recovery determined by the chemical composition (scaling)”, together with a lower energy consumption. A breakthrough to counter these issues cannot be expected within the development of high-pressure SWRO membranes.


An alternative direction for development of desalination is to reduce the osmotic pressure difference prior to SWRO, i.e., to reduce the salt concentration of the feed water with a (pre-) desalination step with non-pressure-driven membranes, see figure below.

A pre-desalination may include electro-membranes, like in electrodialysis (ED). In an ED system, ions are forced through ion-selective membranes from the seawater side of the membrane (‘concentrate’) to the fresh water side (‘diluate’) by applying an electrical potential difference in excess of the electrochemical back-force, see figure below. The aim of the project is to develop a model, defining: (i) the critical configuration, (ii) operational factors, (iii) an experimental window. Characterization experiments will be performed with ED at different desalination extents, current densities, water recoveries, and hydrodynamic conditions. The project approach is multidisciplinary, including thermodynamics, electrochemistry, water chemistry, hydrodynamics, process modeling, and process technology. This broad approach assures the originality and relevance of the project. Jan Post got a Veni grant to research and develop this new desalination concept. The study will take place in collaboration between WUR, Wetsus, and KWR. National and international partners, both from science and from industry, are welcome to join.

Ion-selective membranes

diluate concentrate

electrodes

Function:

e-mail:

website:

Dr. ir. Tânia Vasconcelos Fernandes

Post-doc researcher

[email protected]

www.ete.wur.nl; www.bpe.wur.nl; www.algae.wur.nl;

www.nioo.knaw.nl; www.ingrepo.nl; www.landustrie.nl;

www.wve.nl;

Recycling black water nutrients by algae-based photobiodegradation (ALGOBIOLOOP)

Researcher Tânia Vasconcelos Fernandes

2011 - 2013

Stationed at NIOO, part of research team Grietje Zeeman, Rene Wijffels, Bas Ibelings, Packo Lamers, Anthony Verschoor, Nico Elzinga and Huub Rijnaarts

Black water

toilet

buffer

tank

1

UASB

Biogas

buffer

tank

2

photobioreactor

Effluent

Algae pond

?Influent

Sludge

Algae biomass

Algae biomass

removal

step ?(SS,MP)

Constructed wetland

Introduction New sanitation concepts include separation of household wastewater streams at source, therefore separating black water (toilet water) from grey water (showers/ washing waters). Source separation together with anaerobic treatment (AT) of black water (BW) has several advantages: - Energy self-sufficient system - Possibility to recover nutrients (N, P, K) - Reduced use of water

One promising way to recover the valuable nutrients is by growing microalgae, which can then be further used as a renewable energy source or fertilizer.

Science and Technology Challenges This project engages several scientific fields: environmental technology, bioprocess engineering, ecology and microbiology. Their cooperation will allow us to: - Identify the best algae species that can grow on

digested BW - Determine the optimum conditions for the selected

algae species - Identify the pathogens & micro-pollutants (MP) of

digested BW - Determine the overall pathogen & MP removal

efficiencies - Design & optimize an algae reactor on digested BW

Anaerobic digestion:

CnH

aO

b + H

2O CO

2 + CH

4

Photosynthesis:

CO2 +H

2O C

n(H

2O)

n + O

2

Soil fertilizer/other users

Application of activated carbon in remediation processes

Researcher

Magdalena Rakowska

Supervisor

Dr. ir. Tim Grotenhuis

Promotor


Nov 2008 - 2012

CV Researcher;

Graduated;

Hobbies;

e-mail;

tel;

website;

Magdalena Rakowska

University Marii Curie-Sklodowskiej w Lublinie, Poland, Chemistry (2007)

Sailing, swimming, photography

[email protected]

0317-483997

www.ete.wur.nl

Motivation

River and harbor sediments are contaminated with Persistent Organic Pollutants (POP’s) like polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH’s) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB’s). POP’S which pose a substantial risk, due to their uptake into the food chain. Currently, variable remediation techniques are applied in order to reduce risk associated with POP’s in sediments. However, these techniques are often expensive, ineffective and sometimes aggressive for the benthic habitat. Recent studies showed that carbonaceous material like black carbon which is present in sediments strongly limits availability of POP’s and thus prevents bioaccumulation. Additional amounts of activated carbon can efficiently adsorb hydrophobic PAH’s and PCB’s and reduce contaminant pore water concentrations and finally

stop uptake in animal fatty tissues.

Contaminated sediment


The main objective of the research is to:

Develop safe, validated and cost effective

remediation techniques with activated carbon application either as a protective barrier for benthic organisms in sediments or as a “cleaning” material based on sediment type, contamination level and site location.

In order to implement in-situ or ex-situ remediation processes, timescales of contaminant adsorption and desorption from activated carbon in several sediment remediation scenarios will be studied as well as the effects of activated carbon addition on contaminants availability. Systems modeling of contaminant transport and bioavailability will be performed in order to get insight about the behavior of PAH’s and PCB’s.

Contaminated Sediment Activated Carbon Sand/clay layer

Protected biota

Coupling Chemical Pretreatment and Bioremediation on Soils Containing Organic Contaminants

Researcher

Nora Sutton

Supervisor


Promotor


Oct 2009 - 2013

CV Researcher;

Graduated;

Hobbies;

e-mail;

tel;

website;

Nora Sutton

Utrecht University, MSc Environmental Geochemistry (2008)

Rock climbing, cooking, yoga, camping

[email protected]

0317-485274

www.upsoil.eu

Motivation

Extensive contamination of the subsurface with organic pollutants is widespread. Many remediation technologies exist, however the cost, time, health risk, and intrusion associated with clean-up often impede redevelopment. In situ remediation can overcome many of these challenges by containing remediation within in the subsurface. Through coupling chemical oxidation to rapidly remove high concentrations of contaminants and long term biological breakdown of remaining pollutants, an improved in situ remediation strategy is created that allows rapid redevelopment and extensive contaminant removal.


During In Situ Chemical Oxidation (ISCO), chemical oxidants are introduced into the subsurface to rapidly degrade contaminants. Alternatively, naturally occurring microorganisms are also able to break down pollutants, albeit slowly. To hasten bioremediation, ideal conditions for microbial degradation are created through the injection of nutrients or adjustment of redox conditions. Through combining these two techniques, redevelopment can occur following chemical oxidation while long term bioremediation ensures removal of residual contaminants. Although ISCO rapidly removes pollutants, chemical oxidants often impede biological activity. Oxidation changes subsurface conditions such as pH which are necessary for microbial growth and can outright kill soil biota. Thus, conditions must be optimized during and following chemical oxidation to allow the bioremediating microbial population to not only survive, but thrive.

Method

ISCO treatments with the least impact on soil biota are determined by adjusting the type and quantity of chemical oxidant used. Similarly, parameters such as pH, nutrient availability, and temperature will be manipulated to create optimized conditions for bioremediation in chemically pretreated soil. To monitor the microbial population and quantify bacterial activity throughout the course of ISCO and bioremediation steps, molecular techniques will be used. Geochemical data on soil conditions essential to bioremediation will be combined with molecular data on this microbial population. This theory on bioremediation on chemically pretreated soils provides a new treatment strategy for other contaminated locations.

CV Researcher;

Graduated;

Hobbies;

e-mail;

tel;

website;

2008-2010 Traineeship TNO/Deltares

2008 Geophysics/ Hydrogeology Utrecht University

Accordion/ outdoors

[email protected]

0644618628

www.meermetbodemenergie.nl

The role of sustainable energy technology (ATES) in stimulation of bioremediation in the subsoil

Researcher

Wijb Sommer

Supervisor


Promotor


2010 - 2014

Motivation

Bioremediation of chlorinated solvents at contaminated sites in The Netherlands occurs most often by Natural Attenuation (NA) nowadays. More than 6000 sites contaminated with chlorinated solvents are mainly located in urban area. As the Natural Attenuation process is rather slow in general, these chlorinated solvent locations have a negative effect on the spatial planning developments at these sites. Furthermore the total number of probably contaminated sites in NL has increased up to 400.000 to 600.000. Therefore a site by site approach will not be effective and an area based approached is proposed for such urban areas. Since about 1990 the sustainable energy technology known as Aquifer Thermal Energy Storage (ATES) has been developed. Until now about 1000 systems are installed. In the governmental policy on sustainability it is aimed at to have 10.000 to 20.000 ATES systems in 2020. As individual systems may interfere with each other also here an area based approach is aimed at. Also in spatial planning a development is going on, in which spatial planning is expanded into the vertical and Masterplans are made for 3D-spatial planning. Here we aim at the beneficial combination of ATES and bioremediation of the subsurface.


During Aquifer Thermal Energy Storage (ATES), heat is collected in buildings to cool the buildings and to store energy in the groundwater in the subsurface. In winter time the stored heat is pumped from the groundwater to the building resulting in a net neutral energy balance in the groundwater.

As groundwater in NL has a temperature of about 10oC, the microbial degradation in general can be speeded up by increasing the temperature. Here we aim at the combination of heat storage and stimulation of the in situ bioremediation of chlorinated solvents in the subsurface.

Method

Field measurements and operational ATES parameters are compared with subsurface heat transport models (MODFLOW/MT3D/SEAWAT) to study the process of heat transport through the subsurface. This is coupled to (heat dependant) biodegradation models (for example PhreeqC). In addition, studies at field scale will be performed within an applied research project (Meer Met Bodemenergie (MMB) see website: www.meermetbodemenergie.nl). Further implementation and area based approaches will be modeled related to integration in urban environments.

Need for cooling

Need for heating

http://www.meermetbodemenergie.nl/

The role of sustainable energy technology (ATES) in stimulation of bioremediation in the subsoil

Researcher

Zhuobiao Ni

Supervisor


Promotor


2010 - 2014

CV Researcher;

Graduated;

Hobbies;

e-mail;

tel;

website;

Zhuobiao Ni


Basketball, Baseball, Movies

[email protected]

0647-465817

www.meermetbodemenergie.nl

Motivation

Bioremediation of chlorinated solvents at contaminated sites in The Netherlands occurs most often by Natural Attenuation (NA) nowadays. More than 6000 sites contaminated with chlorinated solvents are mainly located in urban area. As the Natural Attenuation process is rather slow in general, these chlorinated solvent locations have a negative effect on the spatial planning developments at these sites. Furthermore the total number of probably contaminated sites in NL has increased up to 400.000 to 600.000. Therefore a site by site approach will not be effective and an area based approached is proposed for such urban areas. Since about 1990 the sustainable energy technology known as Aquifer Thermal Energy Storage (ATES) has been developed. Until now about 1000 systems are installed. In the governmental policy on sustainability it is aimed at to have 10.000 to 20.000 ATES systems in 2020. As individual systems may interfere with each other also here an area based approach is aimed at. Also in spatial planning a development is going on, in which spatial planning is expanded into the vertical and Masterplans are made for 3D-spatial planning. Here we aim at the beneficial combination of ATES and bioremediation of the subsurface.


During Aquifer Thermal Energy Storage (ATES), heat is collected in buildings to cool the buildings and to store energy in the groundwater in the subsurface. In winter time the stored heat is pumped from the groundwater to the building resulting in a net neutral energy balance in the groundwater.

As groundwater in NL has a temperature of about 10oC, the microbial degradation in general can be speeded up by increasing the temperature. Here we aim at the combination of heat storage and stimulation of the in situ bioremediation of chlorinated solvents in the subsurface.

Method

In laboratory studies the key parameters involved in the optimization of the combination of ATES and chlorinated solvent biodegradation will be studied. Except effects of temperature also mixing, formation of chemical precipitations, nutrient additions etc., will be studied. Also studies at field scale will be performed within an applied research project (Meer Met Bodemenergie (MMB) see website: www.meermetbodemenergie.nl). Further implementation and area based approaches will be modeled related to integration in urban environments.

Need for cooling

Need for heating

http://www.meermetbodemenergie.nl/

Capacitive Deionization for energy-efficient water desalination

Researcher

Maarten Biesheuvel

Sep 08 – Aug 11

CV Researcher

Graduated

Hobbies

e-mail

tel

website

Maarten Biesheuvel

University of Twente, Chemical Technology (2000)

Reading, cycling

[email protected]

06-46193949

www.fenk.wau.nl/~biesheuvel

Motivation

The global demand for fresh water for drinking, personal care, and irrigation is strongly increasing while simultaneously it is becoming more difficult to produce. For instance in coastal regions groundwater is becoming increasingly brackish. Existing technologies have many disadvantages, related to a high energy consumption, required large scale, high investment costs, high maintenance costs and/or low production rates. In close cooperation with Voltea B.V. (Leiden, the Netherlands) we develop a novel technology that has the potential to be energy-efficient and cheap, applicable also on small scale and not requiring much maintenance.


The CDI unit cell consists of two porous carbon electrodes, two ion-exchange membranes and a spacer. Technological challenges are manifold. First of all, the electrodes must combine high permeabilities for ions with extremely large accessible surface areas, leading to the demand for structures with nano-sized dimensions. The ion-exchange membranes must be highly permeable for counterions (ions of opposite charge as the membrane) while simultaneously be highly blocking for the co-ions. The spacer must have a low resistance to fluid flow but simultaneously lead to sufficient mixing. To understand the CDI system and to guide the quest for process improvements, theoretical process modeling is of crucial importance. However, successful comprehensive models for CDI are not yet available and must combine momentum transport, reactor engineering and ion-transport

modeling (Poisson-Nernst-Planck theory), as well as include chemical ion adsorption and Faradaic charge transfer effects. Future developments are the use of the CDI unit not only to deionize water but also for upconcentration of industrial waste streams. Other directions are the use of CDI for selective ion removal processes (separation) making use of different chemical and electrostatic properties of the various (organic) ions. Finally, because of the large electric fields applied, CDI has a large potential to be of use as a disinfection technology, simultaneously with desalination.

CV Researcher;

Graduated;

Hobbies;

e-mail;

tel;

website;

Cees Kamp

Delft University, Chemical Engineering (1988)

Gypsy orchestra ‘Servus’ (double-bass), TaiKiKenPo, hiking, running

[email protected]

0317-485274

www.watiswater.nl

Pre-conventional Water Treatment

Researcher

ir. Cees Kamp

Supervisor


Promotor


2007 - 2012

Motivation

During the past decades several new and unconventional technologies for treatment of water have surfaced. Manufacturers claim that these so-called vitalization technologies alter water structures, add information or add vital energy to the water mostly in non-physical ways. Although scientifically unexplained, many good, sometimes astonishing, results have been reported, e.g. faster germination of seeds or a decrease in scaling or corrosion. In general this type of treatment seems to enhance biological processes. Thus such treatment of wastewater might improve the efficiency of biological treatment plants. Research is aimed at studying the effects of these technologies on (waste)water treatment.


Water Treatment To date, water vitalization has neither been researched nor explained scientifically. An experimental set-up will be defined. Effects will be studied in model systems. The possibilities to apply vitalization technology in full-scale plants will be explored. Theory Current scientific theory cannot explain vitalization of water. A theoretical basis will be investigated. Starting point is cluster formation in water.

Measurement Qualitative effects of vitalization have been shown by indirect methods (see picture). Third aim of this research is development of a quantitative method or system to establish the mentioned quality of water. Thus enabling direct measurement of the effects of different technologies.

Pattern (crystal) formation before (left) and after treatment

CV Researcher;

Graduated;

Hobbies;

E-mail;

Tel;

Website;

Justina Racyte

Kaunas university of Technology (2006)

Camping, fitness, flute playing, cooking

[email protected]; [email protected]

0 58 284 3195

www.wetsus.nl

Advanced Wastewater Treatment with Fluidized Bed Electrodes

Researcher

Justina Racyte

Supervisors

Dr.ir.H.Bruning

Simon Bakker

Promotor

Prof.dr.ir.H.H.M. Rijnaarts

Oct 2009 - 2012

Motivation

With the growing globalization there is an increasing

demand for sustainable and cost effective

technologies to remove traces of impurities from

wastewater. In general water

disinfection/contaminant removing technologies are

expensive because of high energy consumption and

maintenance. In order to make it economically

feasible, there is a need for innovative advanced

wastewater treatment technology.


The challenge of this study is to combine direct (DC)

and alternating current (AC) sources in a single

electrical circuit (Fig.1). Wastewater is treated by

electrolysis for decomposition of organic

compounds and/or valuable component recovery,

and by electroporation for disinfection.

To make this technology energy efficient the

electrical properties of carbon will be used together

with a high frequency electrical field.

Research goals Identify disinfection phenomena

Find optimal process conditions for disinfection

Quantify efficiencies of electrochemical process in a fluidized bed electrode system

Identify suitable carbon material

Improve electrode efficiency and reduce power consumption

CV Researcher;

Graduated;

Hobbies;

e-mail;

tel;

website;

Ran Zhao


tennis

[email protected]

058-2843194

www.ete.wur.nl

Capacitive Deionization:

a promising desalination technology

Researcher

Ran Zhao

Supervisor

Dr. ir. Maarten Biesheuvel

Dr. Henk Miedema

Promotor


Jul 2009 - 2013

Motivation The ever increasing demand for fresh water, either for consumption or industrial use, urges the development of new sustainable desalination technologies. Capacitive deionization (CDI) potentially is a powerful alternative for currently existing desalination techniques (e.g., distillation and reverse osmosis). Apart from the production of fresh water from sea or brackish water, CDI can be applied to recover electrolytes from, for instance, waste water streams. Compared with reverse osmosis, CDI consumes much less energy. From the environmental point of view, it doesn’t require or produce any toxic chemicals.

Introduction The principle of CDI is outlined in Fig. 1., showing a CDI unit cell. When a voltage difference is applied between the two electrodes (forming a capacitor), ions are absorbed in the pores of the carbon electrode. In reality, more pairs of electrodes can be placed in one CDI stack to achieve higher efficiency (Fig.2). As a result of ion adsorption, the effluent comprises of desalinated water containing no or at least a very low level of electrolytes. Turning off the potential between the electrodes releases the electrode-stored ions producing a highly concentrated effluent (Fig. 3).

Technological challenges

Improve the charge efficiency of the system

Investigate the effect of ion selective membranes

Apply CDI to more complex electrolyte solutions

Reduce energy cost to the most economical level

Separate special ions from multicomponent solution

Search for most suitable carbon material being used as electrode

fig1

fig2

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

0 1 2 3 4

time (hour)

co

nce

ntr

atio

n (

mM

)

Voltage on

off

Voltage on

off2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

0 1 2 3 4

time (hour)

co

nce

ntr

atio

n (

mM

)

Voltage on

off

Voltage on

off

fig3

CV Researcher;

Graduated;

Hobbies;

E-mail;

Tel;

Website;

Johannes Kuipers


Korfbal, kaatsen and cycling

[email protected]

0585843197

www.wetsus.nl

Inductively powered fluidized bed reactor for water treatment

Researcher

Johannes Kuipers

Supervisor



Promotor



Sept 2009 - 2013

Motivation

With increasing need of clean water and the decrease of the quality of most water bodies it is crucial to develop innovative low cost and low energy consuming water treatment technologies with a minimized use of chemicals and low impact on the environment. An example of this could be an innovative fluidized bed reactor with inductively powered particles for water treatment. In one reactor both disinfection and advanced oxidation can take place simultaneously. The reactor consists of particles with UV-LEDs or electrodes which are powered by induction with an alternating magnetic field. The upward flow of water fluidizes the particles containing the UV-LEDs or electrodes enabling them to move freely inside the alternating magnetic field. The mass transfer from liquid to the particle is expected to be very good as well as the equal distribution of energy and the high surface area of the particles.


The technological challenge is to optimize the inductive energy transfer efficiency. Inductive energy transfer between the outside of the reactor and the fluidized particles is expected to be most efficient in a system tuned to a resonant frequency. A system has to be designed with a high efficiency and the right energy to power the particles. Another challenge is to find those electrical components that can be fluidized and will treat the water. Different electrical components have to be researched for the feasibility to be applied inside the fluidized bed reactor e.g. UV-LEDs and electrodes. It maybe possible to have a combination of different treatment technologies which may increase the efficiency of the individual treatment.

Waste water

Inductive powered

electrodes in fluidized bed

reactor

Reusable water Inductive energy transfer

Alternating current

Alternating magnetic field

Transmitting inductor

Receiving inductor with

LED

Figure 2: Inductive energy transfer between two inductors

Figure 1: Inductively powered fluidized bed reactor

Systems & Control Group

Computer - aided design and monitoring of WWTP’s towards energy and nutrient recovery

Researcher

Rungnapha Khiewwijit

Supervisor

Dr. ir. K.J. Keesman

Dr. ir. H. Temmink

Promotor


CV Researcher;

Graduated;

Hobbies;

E-mail;

Tel;

Website;

Rungnapha Khiewwijit

Wageningen University, MSc. Biotechnology (2011)

Travelling and Reading

[email protected]

058-2843187

www.ete.wur.nl

Sept 2011 - 2015

Motivation

Conventional municipal wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) are designed to remove organic matter, nutrients such as nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P), and to produce effluents at a quality that meets stringent discharge guidelines. Today (aerobic) activated sludge plants are generally employed. However, these plants:

1) consume large amounts of energy (mainly for aeration),

2) destroy the potential energy contained in the wastewater organic matter,

3) produce large amounts of CO2 emissions, 4) waste the valuable nutrients N and P, 5) discharge relatively clean water that is produced

rather than being re-used for industrial process water, irrigation, infiltration, etc.

The main objective is to transform these activated sludge plants into a novel WWTP of the future using the following indicators: energy, nutrients and re-usable water producing factories, together with reduction of CO2 emissions (Fig. 1).


Several sustainable technologies are available which could contribute to mentioned objective. Examples are: bioflocculation, algae treatment, the Anammox process, anaerobic digestion, etc. The technological challenges are to design new municipal wastewater treatment and recovery plants based on such technologies, and to evaluate their performance with respect to energy consumption / production, effluent quality with respect to water re-use options, CO2 emissions, recovery of nutrients, and the quality of these products. Bottlenecks will be identified in these technologies and combinations of these, which will be further investigated.

Fig. 1: Novel process design of municipal wastewater treatment plants

Approach

Theoretical modeling experiments will help to investigate the potentials of several scenarios for the novel WWTP of the future. Experimental data from innovative and potentially sustainable technologies will support this task. The most promising scenarios will be investigated in more detail and, if necessary, more data will be collected in co-operation with other researchers working on the individual technologies in these scenarios.

WWTP of the future

Municipal wastewater

N N

N

P

P

P Energy positive

N-P recovery Reduction of CO2 emissions

Re-usable water

Development of a robust membrane bioreactor for petrochemical

wastewater

Researcher

Judita Laurinonytė

Supervisor

Dr. ir. H. Temmink

Dr. A. Zwijnenburg

Promotor


Oct 2011 - 2015

CV Researcher;

Graduated;

Hobbies;

E-mail;

Tel;

Website;

Judita Laurinonytė

Wageningen University, MSc. Biotechnology (2011)

Dancing, Acting and Travelling

[email protected]

058-2843118

www.ete.wur.nl

Motivation

Petrochemical wastewaters are originating from refineries, petrochemical, gas to liquid (GTL) and liquefied natural gas (LNG) plants. The wastewater discharged from petrochemical industry is large in volume and complex in composition.

Figure 1. Shell’s Pernis refinery and petrochemical plants in Rotterdam

With tightening effluent regulations and diminishing freshwater supplies as well as advances in membrane technology, the reuse possibilities of treated water become very interesting. Effluent reuse would significantly reduce water consumption and lead to a more sustainable technology.

Technological challenge Petrochemical wastewater contains compounds (e.g. oil & grease, phenols, PAH, BTEX, etc.) that could negatively impact the biological treatment process. Nowadays these wastewaters are treated in conventional activated sludge (CAS) systems. After

polishing (for reuse purposes) the effluent is fed to reverse osmosis (RO) system. For a better effluent quality, membrane bioreactors (MBRs) (Fig. 2) can be used. MBR technology has been shown to be suitable in treating petrochemical wastewater, but is not completely understood. Certain wastewater components are known to inhibit biodegradation and decrease effluent quality. The bioflocculation process is highly sensitive to shock-loads of toxic compounds and salts. This may result in increased membrane fouling and subsequently cause fouling problems in the final RO installation.

Research objectives

• Demonstrate stable MBR performance for petrochemical wastewater while meeting requirements for reuse applications.

• Study the effect of shock-loads on MBR performance of toxic substances and salts.

• Compare MBR and CAS-UF configurations in terms of operational robustness, effluent quality and performance integrity.

• Study the RO fouling potential of MBR permeate.

Figure 2. Membrane bioreactor (submerged)

Waste sludge

Aeration Aeration

Waste water Effluent

Activated sludge

CV Researcher;

Graduated;

Hobbies;

e-mail;

tel;

website;

Jozef van der Steen

Open University Nederland (2008), Environmental Sciences Programme

playing violoncello, vegetable gardening, painting

[email protected]

0317-481331

www.microbialfuelcell.org

BEEHOLD, bio-indication of HCH with honey bees (Apis mellifera)

Researcher

Jozef van der Steen

Supervisor


Dr. ir. Willem Jan de Kogel

Promotor


Febr 2012 - 2014

Motivation Honeybees collect during foraging pollen, nectar and propolis, but also materials deposited on the flowers such as heavy metals, pesticides and (plant)pathogens. Honeybees are central place foragers and take materials collected within their foraging range (7 km2) back to the colony. Using honeybees for bio-indication is already applied to some extent, but the current sampling methods have significant limitations concerning low number of bees that can be sampled and relatively high detection limits. In this project we will develop and test a new technique, based on specific adsorption by which material on the bees will be “scraped off” and transferred to a passive sampler. This will make it possible to collect bio-indication material without killing the bees, it is a bee friendly sampling technique


The project will be the proof of principle of bio-indication of diffuse organic pollutions, which contaminate flowers via atmospheric deposition of ‘particulate matter’ soil and water erosion (see figure for study set-up). The main focus in this study is hexachloorcyclohexane (HCH), a known pollutant for example in the basin of the Elbe (Germany). The sediment and food plain pollution pattern has been recorded for this basin, which will enable us to relate the bio–indication material to the pollution disseminated via soil and water erosion. A control site will be on a ‘Wadden’ island in the north of the Netherlands. Bio-indication material will be collected using a newly designed device placed at the flight entrance of the bee colony.

The technical challenge is to

- design the proper device and entrance recorders

- record the number of bees needed to collect detectable amounts of materials.

- investigate which adsorption material will be applicable for specific materials such as HCA, heavy metals or (plant) pathogens

analysis / detection HCH on

layer

HCH in environment

soil erosion, atmospheric

deposition PM

Bee’s foraging

trips

HCH on flowers

Recording of numbers of

incoming bees

adsorbtion /exchange process

Incoming honey bee

layer

HCH per bee in foraging area

data-analysis

The new technique can be applied in other central place foraging bee species for example in Kenya and Brazil.

CV Researcher;

Graduated;

Hobbies;

e-mail;

tel;

website;

Nadia Inderfurth

Wageningen University, Environmental Technology and Bioprocess Engineering

Art, music and outdoor sports

[email protected]

0317-83997

Microalgae cultivation for the production of biomass-based sustainable cement and energy

Researcher

Nadia Inderfurth

Supervisor


Dr. ir. Packo Lamers

Promotor


Prof. dr. ir. René Wijffels

Jan 2012-2016

Motivation

Worldwide a lot of cement is produced. It is part of concrete, today the most chosen material for construction. This cement production is responsible for about 7% of human CO2-emissions. These emissions could be significantly reduced if minerals from biomass could be used as a resource for cement production. This could be combined with combustion of the biomass yielding green energy. Micro-algae are very efficient in biomass production and do not compete with food production because they demand no fertile soil for cultivation. If in the future micro-algae will be produced on a bigger scale in the bio-based economy, it might be interesting to use their mineral building capacity for cement production. It will be investigated if the algae can be cultured with different waste water streams as a source of nutrients and minerals. Two groups of algae are of interest: Diatoms and Coccolithophores, as they have skeletons composed of silica and calcium carbonate respectively, the minerals used for cement.

Diatoms

1 Coccolithophorid

2


The first step is to select promising algae species based on their oil content and silica/calcium

carbonate content. Also their growth rate and demands for cultivation are important selection criteria. The mineral rich ashes derived from the algae will be characterized and quantified. It will be attempted to change the composition if it is required for optimal cement production. For example the chlorine content and the heavy metal concentration of the biomass might be of importance. Optimal conditions for cultivation of these algae in a photo-bioreactor will be investigated and modeled. First it will be assessed which process parameters have the biggest influence. The aim is to get a better understanding of compound and energy flows in the algae towards the production of biomass, oil and cell wall mineral. Experiments will be performed to manipulate the oil and mineral composition of the algal biomass by changing for example the medium composition. The results will be translated into recommendations for a pilot scale production. Also an assessment of the environmental benefits will be made by making mass and energy balances and looking at the carbon footprint. 1www.isdr.org 2www.vims.edu

CV Researcher;

Graduated;

Hobbies;

e-mail;

tel;

website;

Lei Zhang

Harbin Institute of technoloy , Municipal Engineering(2007)

Running

[email protected]

The application of UASB-digester treating domestic waste waters in moderate zone

Researcher

Lei Zhang

Supervisor

Dr. ir. Tim L.G. Hendrickx Dr. ir. Grietje Zeeman

Promotor


2009 - 2013

Motivation

Anaerobic treatment of domestic waste waters is an attractive technology because of many advantages:

low energy consumption low excess sludge production energy recovery in the form of CH4

So far, application has been limited to tropical climates (> 20°C). Further developments are required to enable efficient anaerobic treatment at waste water lower temperatures. The UASB-digester system offers an opportunity for energy neutral domestic waste water treatment.


Slow hydrolysis of suspended material is the main limitation for direct anaerobic treatment of domestic waste water. To overcome this problem, a UASB-digester system can be applied. The dissolved organic material in bulk of the waste water is treated in the Upflow Anaerobic Sludge Blanket (UASB) reactor. Suspended material is concentrated in the sludge bed and converted to methane in the digester under optimal conditions.

digester 30-35°C

UASB 10-20°C

waste water

10-20°C

biogas

biogas

dissolved COD

suspended COD

CH4

CH4

suspended

COD

effluent

Only a small fraction (1-5%) of the influent needs to be heated up and treated in the digester. A large UASB reactor (140 L) and digester (50 L) will be operated in the lab with fresh waste water from the nearby waste water treatment plant. This allows optimization of the sludge recycle flow under changing temperature and composition of the waste water.

Researcher Supervisor

reusable water - innovation cluster

Documents