From Waste Streams June/July 2006
http://www.wastestreams.com.au/
The Aqua Reviva system is designed to treat household grey water without the need to intrusive excavation. Grey water from the bathroom and laundry can be treated and recycled to health regulations standards so that it can be reused in washing machines, toilets, as well as for use in the garden and for washing for the car. Treated water can be stored for an unlimited period of time, unlike diversion systems where the water must be used within 24 hours. The system generates water that is Class A standard and also removes other harmful nutrients. The system has the protential to save an average home 500L of water per day. This, applied to the 125,000 new homes built around Australia this year, saves 62 million letres of water per day or the equivalent of a swimming pool stretching from Melbourne to Darwin. This also entails an energy saving by reducing the need for sewerage processing. The system uses a naturally occurring biological process supported by a light bromine disinfection stage. The system incorporates automatic overflows to sewer. The system is self-contained, involves no maintenance or adjustments from the householder and should anything not work exactly as planned then it automatically diverts all water to sewer with out any personal intervention. The system uses a 12v power source that can be operated usinf solar power is desired. The installation is not intrusive and has the option to be fitted under a house or deck.
Thursday, June 22, 2006
Turning Wastewater into Watts
From Waste Streams June/July 2006
http://www.wastestreams.com.au/
UQ Research uses microbial fuels cells
Your dirty dishwater could soon be providing the electricity to power wastewater treatment plants if University of Queensland researchers have their way. The UQ team has developed a technique that removes pollutants and organic compounds from wastewater and turns them into environmentally friendly electricity. The researchers will receive $1,300,000 in funding over five years as part of the Australian Research Council's Discovery Projects Grants. PhD student Freguia from the University's Advanced Wastewater Management Centre (AWMC) said there was still more research to be carried out before the power source could be commercialised. "Our experiments have shown that the chemical energy contained in the organic matter present in wastewater can be recovered as electricity by using microbial fuel cells," he said. Microbial fuel cells are similar to common chemical fuel cells but use microbes as catalysts and can therefore untilise wastewater pollutants for energy production rather then a chemical fuel such as hydro hydrogen or methane. Mr Freguia is currently completing his PhD at UQ examining power production from wastewater using micobial fuel cells."In micobial fuel cells the electron donor is an organic substrate and bacteria are used as catalysts for it oxidation to carbon dioxide," he said. AWMC director Professor Jurg Keller said the cells should be used to generate renewable electricity to power wastewater treatment plants while at the same time removing the pollutants. "You should be able to generate sufficient energy from pollutants in wastewater to run the entire treatment process," Professor Keller said. "The technology could significantly reduce the operating cost of wastewater treatment plants." Not only is the new power source cheap and readily available, it is also environmentally friendly. "All of our power that is produced is from renewable sources - the pollutants is the wastewater," Professor Keller said. "It's all happening in a thin biofilm, a sort of slime layer on the electrode where bacteria are growing and directly producing electrical current." Professor Keller and Mr Freguia are continuing their research in to the microbial fuel cells and expect there to be early applications arising from the technology with in five years.
http://www.wastestreams.com.au/
UQ Research uses microbial fuels cells
Your dirty dishwater could soon be providing the electricity to power wastewater treatment plants if University of Queensland researchers have their way. The UQ team has developed a technique that removes pollutants and organic compounds from wastewater and turns them into environmentally friendly electricity. The researchers will receive $1,300,000 in funding over five years as part of the Australian Research Council's Discovery Projects Grants. PhD student Freguia from the University's Advanced Wastewater Management Centre (AWMC) said there was still more research to be carried out before the power source could be commercialised. "Our experiments have shown that the chemical energy contained in the organic matter present in wastewater can be recovered as electricity by using microbial fuel cells," he said. Microbial fuel cells are similar to common chemical fuel cells but use microbes as catalysts and can therefore untilise wastewater pollutants for energy production rather then a chemical fuel such as hydro hydrogen or methane. Mr Freguia is currently completing his PhD at UQ examining power production from wastewater using micobial fuel cells."In micobial fuel cells the electron donor is an organic substrate and bacteria are used as catalysts for it oxidation to carbon dioxide," he said. AWMC director Professor Jurg Keller said the cells should be used to generate renewable electricity to power wastewater treatment plants while at the same time removing the pollutants. "You should be able to generate sufficient energy from pollutants in wastewater to run the entire treatment process," Professor Keller said. "The technology could significantly reduce the operating cost of wastewater treatment plants." Not only is the new power source cheap and readily available, it is also environmentally friendly. "All of our power that is produced is from renewable sources - the pollutants is the wastewater," Professor Keller said. "It's all happening in a thin biofilm, a sort of slime layer on the electrode where bacteria are growing and directly producing electrical current." Professor Keller and Mr Freguia are continuing their research in to the microbial fuel cells and expect there to be early applications arising from the technology with in five years.
Tuesday, June 20, 2006
Saving the River Red Gums
From Waste Streams June/July 2006
http://www.wastestreams.com.au/
Coats Shorco assists in water management project
With drought gripping much of Australia, even hardy natives species have fallen victim to it's effects. Among them, the majestic River Reg Gums that line the dry creek beds, or anabranches, adjoining the Murry River. A unique and beatiful part of the Murry landscape, the River Red Gumshad become increaingly stresses by dwinding water supplies in the Murry River floodplain, with large numbers dying as a result. In an effort to save them, the Department od Sustainability and Environment commenced a successful Emergency Watering Program in 2004 to provide crrucial water supplies to the gums lining the anabranches during the spring and autumn seasons. Of great assistants in the succes of the task has been Coates Shorco. Having successfully tendered for the Living Murry Project, Simon Panther, pump manager of Coates Shorco Victoria, and his team set about specifically engineering a solution that most effectively and economically met the requirements of this important task. Using predominanty 300mm high-flow diesel pumps, with much equipment built or modified specifically for the project, Coates Shorco will have assisted in pumping approximently 7.5 billion litres of water to the anabranches by june 2006. While providing equipment, sevice, mantenance and monitoring of flow, Coates Shorco has also ensured the environmental safety of the work using its bunding to contain fuel and oil around the pump. As a result of the efforts, the future now looks much brighter for these glorious Australian giants.
http://www.wastestreams.com.au/
Coats Shorco assists in water management project
With drought gripping much of Australia, even hardy natives species have fallen victim to it's effects. Among them, the majestic River Reg Gums that line the dry creek beds, or anabranches, adjoining the Murry River. A unique and beatiful part of the Murry landscape, the River Red Gumshad become increaingly stresses by dwinding water supplies in the Murry River floodplain, with large numbers dying as a result. In an effort to save them, the Department od Sustainability and Environment commenced a successful Emergency Watering Program in 2004 to provide crrucial water supplies to the gums lining the anabranches during the spring and autumn seasons. Of great assistants in the succes of the task has been Coates Shorco. Having successfully tendered for the Living Murry Project, Simon Panther, pump manager of Coates Shorco Victoria, and his team set about specifically engineering a solution that most effectively and economically met the requirements of this important task. Using predominanty 300mm high-flow diesel pumps, with much equipment built or modified specifically for the project, Coates Shorco will have assisted in pumping approximently 7.5 billion litres of water to the anabranches by june 2006. While providing equipment, sevice, mantenance and monitoring of flow, Coates Shorco has also ensured the environmental safety of the work using its bunding to contain fuel and oil around the pump. As a result of the efforts, the future now looks much brighter for these glorious Australian giants.
School's Sewage Bills Flushed
From Waste Streams June/July 2006
http://www.wastestreams.com.au/
KEWT wastewater treatment systems installed
A Queensland reseacher's wastewater treatment invention has been installed at Greenbank State School, on the outskirts of Brisbane. The KEWT (Kele Effluent Wastewater Treatment) system, developed by Ben Kele from CQU in Rockhampton and commercialised by GBG Project Management Pty Ltd, will treat and reuse the wastewater from over 1000 students and staff at a site cost of $340,000. Not bad considering the school has been paying $80,000 a year to pump out all of its sewage. The site will have remote monitoring and will provide recycled water for oval irrigation and cabinet timber plantation. Glenbank State School is believed to be the first Australian school to be fitted with a 'green' wastewater treatment system. The site was recently opened by the Minister for Education, Rod Welford. Mr Welford said he was positive the KEWT system was the "way of the future". The system will also be used as an education tool for students at the school to learn about water cycle and sustainable technologies. It will also be used as a site for Mr Kele's PhD research. KEWT is an unique system for the treatment of wastewater and effluent. It uses a mixture of biological treatment systems and reuses effluent through a self -contained recirculatory form of sub-surface irrigation. Me Kele is currently working on a number of other projects including sustainable housing development, holistic water management frameworks for local governments and biological firltration projects.
http://www.wastestreams.com.au/
KEWT wastewater treatment systems installed
A Queensland reseacher's wastewater treatment invention has been installed at Greenbank State School, on the outskirts of Brisbane. The KEWT (Kele Effluent Wastewater Treatment) system, developed by Ben Kele from CQU in Rockhampton and commercialised by GBG Project Management Pty Ltd, will treat and reuse the wastewater from over 1000 students and staff at a site cost of $340,000. Not bad considering the school has been paying $80,000 a year to pump out all of its sewage. The site will have remote monitoring and will provide recycled water for oval irrigation and cabinet timber plantation. Glenbank State School is believed to be the first Australian school to be fitted with a 'green' wastewater treatment system. The site was recently opened by the Minister for Education, Rod Welford. Mr Welford said he was positive the KEWT system was the "way of the future". The system will also be used as an education tool for students at the school to learn about water cycle and sustainable technologies. It will also be used as a site for Mr Kele's PhD research. KEWT is an unique system for the treatment of wastewater and effluent. It uses a mixture of biological treatment systems and reuses effluent through a self -contained recirculatory form of sub-surface irrigation. Me Kele is currently working on a number of other projects including sustainable housing development, holistic water management frameworks for local governments and biological firltration projects.
Pineapple Farm enjoys the fruits of eco-efficiency
Reducing water use by 50%
Find the article here.
http://www.buynet.com.au/ws/case_studies/case_062006a.asp
Find the article here.
http://www.buynet.com.au/ws/case_studies/case_062006a.asp
Friday, May 12, 2006
Technology for the reduction of filterable reactive phosphorous (FRP)
From Waste Streams - Apr/May 2006
www.WasteStreams.com.au
Technology for the reduction of filterable reactive phosphorous (FRP)
During the last decade, the significance of FRP reduction from the water column and the sediment P release control in preventing algal blooms has been recognised. In order to control the P level in water bodies, a number of chemical methods, such as alum or ferric chloride, have been used over the last few decades. However, many scientific studies have demonstrated significant limitations associated with these methods, including the re-release of the sorbed P when physiochemical characteristics of the water body, such as its alkalinity or redox conditions, are changed. In addition, key water quality parameters, such as the ph and conductivity of the water body, can also be affected.
Given the role of the FRP in phytoplankton activity and the limitations of the currently used chemical methods, there is a great need for a technology that can reduce the FRP concentration of the water column and prevent the release of the sediment P under a wide range of chemical conditions (ph, salinity and redox), without affecting the key water quality parameters. The need has been met by a modified bentonite product known as Phoslock.
It removes FRP effectively as it descends through a water column. As it settles, it forms a capping on th e bottom sediment preventing any further release of FRP into the water column.
The product has been demonstrated to have a rapid FRP uptake kinetic, removing 90% of it within the first four hours. In addition, it is shown to operate within a wide ph range (5-11), without any significant change to the ph of the water body.
It performs efficiently in a wide range of water bodies, ranging from natural waterways, aquaculture and a variety of waste waters such as sewage treatment holding lagoons, farm dams, poultry, dairy and piggeries. Furthermore, the removal of arsenate , selenate and molybdate has also been demonstrated.
Phoslock Water Solutions Ltd
235 Sutherlands Road, Riddells Creek 3431
www.WasteStreams.com.au
Technology for the reduction of filterable reactive phosphorous (FRP)
During the last decade, the significance of FRP reduction from the water column and the sediment P release control in preventing algal blooms has been recognised. In order to control the P level in water bodies, a number of chemical methods, such as alum or ferric chloride, have been used over the last few decades. However, many scientific studies have demonstrated significant limitations associated with these methods, including the re-release of the sorbed P when physiochemical characteristics of the water body, such as its alkalinity or redox conditions, are changed. In addition, key water quality parameters, such as the ph and conductivity of the water body, can also be affected.
Given the role of the FRP in phytoplankton activity and the limitations of the currently used chemical methods, there is a great need for a technology that can reduce the FRP concentration of the water column and prevent the release of the sediment P under a wide range of chemical conditions (ph, salinity and redox), without affecting the key water quality parameters. The need has been met by a modified bentonite product known as Phoslock.
It removes FRP effectively as it descends through a water column. As it settles, it forms a capping on th e bottom sediment preventing any further release of FRP into the water column.
The product has been demonstrated to have a rapid FRP uptake kinetic, removing 90% of it within the first four hours. In addition, it is shown to operate within a wide ph range (5-11), without any significant change to the ph of the water body.
It performs efficiently in a wide range of water bodies, ranging from natural waterways, aquaculture and a variety of waste waters such as sewage treatment holding lagoons, farm dams, poultry, dairy and piggeries. Furthermore, the removal of arsenate , selenate and molybdate has also been demonstrated.
Phoslock Water Solutions Ltd
235 Sutherlands Road, Riddells Creek 3431
Rainwater bladder tanks
From Waste Streams - Apr/May 2006
www.WasteStreams.com.au
Rainwater bladder tanks
Rainwater bladders are flexible water tanks that can fit under a house. The bladders are claimed to be able to capture up to 500% more water than a standard tank system.
The Rain Reviva system is suitable for sites where a water tank won't fit because of lack of space or where access is difficult.
A traditional water tank will only capture water from one side of the roof, whereas a bladder installed under the house uses the entire catchment surface area of the roof, which means that more rainwater is diverted into the tank.
In addition to the bladder-like tank, the system incorporates an 'inlet diversion' - a 'swing arm' system - that efficiently diverts the rainwater from each downpipe into the water sacs. A pump system then allows the water to be reticulated to a range of devices from the garden hose and the pool to sprinkling systems, and even the washing machine and dishwasher.
Rain Reviva
2 Melba Avenue, Lilydale 3140
www.WasteStreams.com.au
Rainwater bladder tanks
Rainwater bladders are flexible water tanks that can fit under a house. The bladders are claimed to be able to capture up to 500% more water than a standard tank system.
The Rain Reviva system is suitable for sites where a water tank won't fit because of lack of space or where access is difficult.
A traditional water tank will only capture water from one side of the roof, whereas a bladder installed under the house uses the entire catchment surface area of the roof, which means that more rainwater is diverted into the tank.
In addition to the bladder-like tank, the system incorporates an 'inlet diversion' - a 'swing arm' system - that efficiently diverts the rainwater from each downpipe into the water sacs. A pump system then allows the water to be reticulated to a range of devices from the garden hose and the pool to sprinkling systems, and even the washing machine and dishwasher.
Rain Reviva
2 Melba Avenue, Lilydale 3140
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