The need for technology that contributes to more efficient and sustainable wastewater treatment is urgent. Today, quantities of nitrogen are released into our waste water, which causes major damage to aquatic life, among other things due to increased algae growth. Water bodies near densely populated areas are particularly affected, for example in the Oslo Fjord.
Using microbial membrane biofilm reactors and enzyme biotechnology, the ESWAT project will develop technology that effectively removes organic micropollution, nitrogen and pharmaceutical active compounds (PhACs) from wastewater. This is a collaborative project funded by the Norwegian Research Council, with the aim of contributing to solving the challenges in society and business.
Efficient upgrade
New, innovative technology is essential to reduce current energy use in connection with wastewater treatment. The systems we use in Norway today use chemical and biological processes that require a lot of energy and space, and they leave a large carbon footprint. It is also expensive. Most sewage systems are therefore in the process of being upgraded with the aim of becoming more energy efficient and sustainable, and there is a great demand for solutions that contribute to this.
In collaboration with partners, the ESWAT project will develop new knowledge and technology that contributes to the reuse of biomass in the production cycle and thus also reduces unwanted substances, such as micropollution, pharmaceuticals and infectious agents. More efficient technology will also help limit the development and spread of antimicrobial resistance from wastewater.
Contribution to national goals
Processes based on microbial biofilm and enzyme biotechnology have recently been proposed as possibilities for efficient and targeted removal of organic micropollutant. The ESWAT project is developing a new prototype that integrates microbial membrane biofilm processes and enzyme technology. This will be used to remove ammonia nitrogen and pharmaceutically active compounds (PhACs) in municipal and industrial waste water in a space-saving way with minimal energy costs.
In this way, the technology will be a significant contribution to the development of a greener industry and meet a stricter standard.
The project can also contribute to achieving the Norwegian government's new national targets for water and health, where it is stated that 85 per cent of all municipal waste water in Norway must have chemical and/or biological treatment by 2030.
A collaborative project
In ESWAT, the University of Southeast Norway collaborates with business and the public sector to find solutions on how best to clean the waste water that will be discharged into our fjords.
The University of Southeast Norway coordinates the work. Partners in the project are SINTEF, ScanWater, DosCon and Porsgrunn municipality.
Porsgrunn water treatment plant makes its infrastructure available for testing new water technology in the Knardalstrand treatment plant. The companies Scanwater and DosCon are partners from the industry, and with this project will have the opportunity to further develop their existing solutions and thus make a strong position in the market with upgraded, innovative and efficient technology.