New tech for net-zero carbon wastewater treatment

Municipal sewage wastewater is typically treated through a multi-step process that aims to remove contaminants and pollutants and ensure that it can be safely discharged back into the environment or reused for various purposes. It conventionally involves preliminary screening and settling tanks to remove large objects followed by biological treatment with microorganisms to break down organic matter. If it meets the required quality standards, the effluent can be discharged into a river or ocean, or it can be further treated for specific reuse purposes like irrigation and industrial processes. 

The AMBI-ROBIC project has developed an innovative technology that removes organic pollution from wastewater using anaerobic digestion. It uses an adapted microbial community that functions at lower temperatures and a specially designed tank to facilitate the processing of psychrophilic granular sludge. The system does not require heating, aeration or moving parts and has a smaller energy footprint than traditional aerobic systems. It can be used in a number of circumstances, alleviating organic load on other processes, to expand capacity of the existing site or as part of a new wastewater treatment plant. AMBI-ROBIC technology represents a novel disruptive solution for wastewater treatment that provides an economical and environmentally sustainable alternative to the outdated and energy-intensive sludge process. 
Read more: https://cordis.europa.eu/article/id/445670-new-tech-for-net-zero-carbon-wastewater-treatment