Shortcut nitrification in activated sludge process treating domestic wastewater - key technology for low-carbon and clean wastewater treatment (SNIT)

This project is co-financed by POLNOR 2019 Norwegian and European Economic Area (EEA) funds. ( 3rd edition)

The aim of the project is to develop an innovative Technology for municipal wastewater treatment plants, the essence of which is to run an abbreviated nitrification/denitrification process in the main wastewater line. This will significantly reduce the need for oxygen and organic compounds in the nitrogen removal process and improve the quality of treated wastewater as well as enable increased digester gas production. Conducting abbreviated nitrification/denitrification in the main line will be possible by:

the use of nitric acid (III) to inhibit second-phase nitrifying bacteria (NOB - Nitrite Oxidizing Bacteria) in a separate reactor (selector), supplied with acid stream and sludge from the main line,
bioaugmentation, i.e. feeding of the main line with a stream of first-phase nitrifying bacteria (AOB - Ammonia Oxidizing Bacteria) grown on leachate from sludge dewatering
application of aeration control algorithms in the main line, promoting the development of AOB.

Completion date: 01.10.2020 - 01.10.2023

The project is carried out by a consortium consisting of: Wrocław University of Technology as the leader, Municipal Water and Sewage Company S.A. in Wrocław, Silesian University of Technology, Aquateam COWI AS, AQUANET S.A.

Anaerobic biorefinery for resource recovery from waste feedstock (WASTEVALUE)

The WasteValue project is based on the tenets of a closed-loop economy and, in accordance with such guidelines, addresses the topic of resource recovery from food waste and fish sludge. The project will use integrated processes to treat the organic fraction of municipal waste (OFMSW) to recover organic carbon and nutrients. The recovered material will be used to produce Jet A-1 jet fuel substitute, natural gas substitute, and agricultural fertilizer. The primary goal of WasteValue is to create an innovative biorefinery for the production of biofuels and high-quality agricultural fertilizer from various waste streams, which is an innovative approach to climate change mitigation issues and ultimately supports the transition to a sustainable bioeconomy.

The project has set specific objectives to support the main objective:

• Optimize low temperature pretreatment of organic waste with enzymatic hydrolysis;
• Maximise the conversion of organic waste to C6-C8 carboxylic acids;
• Development of a cost-effective method to recover C6-C8 carboxylic acids and convert them into a jet fuel substitute;
• Development of an optimized system for obtaining enriched biogas through biomethanation;
• Enrichment of biorefinery effluent to produce valuable agricultural fertilizers;
• Integration of biorefinery operation processes and evaluation for cost reduction of their operation, conducting life cycle assessment analyses for sustainability.

The WasteValue project will develop the best possible solutions for the efficient management of organic waste in environmental, social and economic terms. The project also plans to estimate the presence and fate of micropollutants, including microplastics, in the processes studied. The results of the project will contribute to the recovery of raw materials and to the cost-effectiveness and cost-efficiency of waste management processes, and will provide a basis for multi- and interdisciplinary education in the field of biorefinery processes.

Project website: https://wastevalue.put.poznan.pl/

Integrated system for Simultaneous Recovery of Energy, organics and Nutrients and generation of valuable products from municipal wastewater (SIREN)

The SIREN project addresses the two themes of Bio-based Innovation Systems and Circular Systems within the Food and Natural Resources area.

The consortium consists of seven partners, including five research institutions and two end users (wastewater treatment plants) in Norway and Poland.

The overall objective of the project, in line with the concept of a closed loop economy and sustainable development, is to integrate innovative processes into traditionally operated municipal wastewater treatment systems to make the transition to recovery of water resources. In particular, technologies will be developed for the recovery of natural resources, i.e. energy, nutrients and organic substances (humic acids), and the production of valuable products, i.e. hydrogen and biopolymers. As a result, it is expected to increase biogas production by > 10% and extract > 80% of nutrients.

A comprehensive approach will be applied including laboratory testing (process understanding) and pilot testing at two collaborating plants (proof of concept). Implementation potential will be assessed through advanced tools. A unique metagenomic model for system control will be developed. In addition, a plant-wide computer model will incorporate new sustainability evaluation criteria. A complex carbon footprint analysis and life cycle assessment will be performed for different scenarios. To increase the market potential of recovered products, identified and recovered products will be monitored for potential contamination. The main short-term outcomes of the project include support of early career researchers, joint publications and project proposals. In the long term, the project results will help transform wastewater treatment plants from an "end-of-pipe" philosophy to responsible natural resource management.

Project website: https://siren.put.poznan.pl/

BARITECH project

Integrated technology for improved energy balance and reduced greenhouse gas emissions at municipal wastewater treatment plants "BARITECH".

Project co-financed from Norwegian funds, in the framework of the Polish-Norwegian Research Cooperation program, implemented by the National Centre for Research and Development.

BARITECH is a project carried out within a scientific consortium formed by the Silesian University of Technology, the Gdansk University of Technology, the Poznan University of Technology and the Norwegian company Aquateam - an industry partner. The project involves applied research aimed at improving the quality of wastewater treatment plant operation and improving its energy balance through the application of various environmental engineering and biotechnology technologies. Research is focused on reducing pollutant loads in wastewater, minimizing energy consumption, and decreasing greenhouse gas production in wastewater treatment processes. The tasks of the Department of Environmental Biotechnology include research related to nitrogen removal by the Anammox process and algae culture in the side line of the treatment plant.

Details at: http://baritech.org.pl/

KNAPPE Project

Knowledge and NeedAssessment of Pharmaceutical Products in the Environment

KNAPPE, through the collection of data resulting from EU projects, as well as information from government sources and published by the scientific community, intends to answer the most important questions related to the occurrence of pharmaceuticals in the environment:

• What is the list of pharmaceutical substances most relevant to the aquatic environment? Which of these can serve as indicators for environmental and public health managers?
• To what extent are conventional wastewater treatment plants effective in removing pharmaceuticals on an annual basis? What is the fate and behavior of these substances during treatment processes? Do pharmaceutical residues pose a threat to human health if treated wastewater is discharged into downstream drinking water sources?
• Can certain problems and risks associated with emission of pharmaceutical substances into the environment be avoided by using Clean Technologies?
• What legal regulations, preventive actions or incentives to reduce consumption of pharmaceuticals can be effective in lowering the concentration of these substances in the environment? Is there a chance to create a European-wide practical guide?
• Can the use of solutions such as clean synthesis technology, classification and labelling, improved communication in "good practice" methods have a chance to reduce the environmental impact of pharmaceuticals?
• How can the environmental impact of a pharmaceutical be monitored once it has been authorized?

In summary, KNAPPE, on the one hand, aims to collect information on the presence, fate, behaviour, disposal efficiency and environmental impact of pharmaceuticals, while on the other hand, it gives an overview of the so-called "life cycle" of these substances, tracing their history from production, through consumption, wastewater treatment, to water treatment and distribution processes.

More information about the project, its organizational structure, as well as planned meetings and conferences can be found on the official KNAPPE website: www.knappe-eu.org.

Previous international research projects