GE Collaborates with University to Improve Wastewater Treatment Tech
Published on by Vishakha Rajput, Previous COO The Water Network at AquaSPE AG in Technology
GE Water has partnered with the University of Guelph and opened a pilot facility which will reduce the energy costs of wastewater treatment by focusing on renewable energy generation and producing a biosolids fertilizer.
Wastewater treatment industry is outdated and with improvements in technology it would be more efficient and could save vast amounts of energy, consequently saving in costs. Furthermore, additional profit in wastewater treatment can be made by producing fertilizers for agriculture.
The new pilot facility has been opened at the Southern Ontario Water Consortium (SOWC) wastewater demonstration facility near the Guelph city wastewater treatment plant.
GE has invested $900,000 and SOWC, funded by the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario has invested around $600,000 for this project.
GE says their goal is to make wastewater profitable rather than it needing money for treatment. They intend to do this by focusing on anaerobic digestion through biological hydrolysis technology. They believe they can increase the capacity of anaerobic digestion up to three times. As a result, not only can more sludge be treated, but also potentially organic materials, increasing biogas production which can be used as renewable energy. Simultaneously, a pathogen-free fertilizer is produced to be used in agriculture.
About GE
GE bring together experienced professionals and advanced technologies to solve the world's most complex challenges related to water scarcity, quality, productivity, the environment and energy.
About University of Guelph
The University of Guelph is research-intensive and learner-centered. It is known for excellence in the arts and sciences, and for our commitment to developing exceptional thinkers and engaged citizens.
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