RECOVER - Resource recovery from wastewater

RECOVER is a BIA competence project that deals with improvement of recovery of carbon, nitrogen and phosphorous from wastewater. It is a co-operation between three Norwegian research institutes (NMBU, NTNU, SINTEF) and six industrial companies (Cambi, Doscon, Kemira, Kruger-Kaldnes, Norconsult and Salsnes Filter). They serve several industrial sectors where physical, chemical and biological wastewater treatment processes are required. [] The need for this research is emphasized in several international and Norwegian strategic documents in related fields. The increasing market value of wastewater components, such as ammonia and phosphorus, from treatments plants as well as the value of dewatered sludge are acting as key drivers for resource recovery from wastewater fields. RECOVER develops innovative and sustainable wastewater treatment systems including reject water and return flows from sludge treatment together with related process surveillance and control systems. The focus is to maximise the resource recovery while complying with strict effluent standards. The ultimate aim is to develop zero discharge concepts for resources. The final aim is also concepts for production of fertilizers for soil quality improvement. RECOVER also develops tools and techniques to support the preceding activities and deals with methods for characterisation of wastewater flows with regard to conditions for removal and re-use. Further, the tools development comprise the use of sensors for monitoring and control of the biological processes. We explore how the findings can be used for further developments towards industrial applications and commercialisation. The results are disseminated through reports and popular articles as well as in international journal publications and at national and international conferences. Until now 6 PhD graduates (2 full financed by the project) and 12 master students have been graduated within advanced wastewater treatment through the RECOVER project. Several international students have been trained in the RECOVER laboratory

The context from the application was to provide knowledge applicable to Norway and globally through innovation in biological processes with focus on resource recovery. It includes domestic and industrial wastewater and corresponding sludge treatment Within this context, five specific aims were emphasized and are fulfilled: 1.New and compact biological process solutions for treatment and recovery of carbon and phosphorous, based on enhanced MBBR. 2.Develop of reactor design criteria for resource recovery 3.New technologies for control and monitoring of process solutions 4.Innovative characterization and selection of biomass in wastewater treatment 5.Use of the resources gained from the processes developed. Potential products has been demonstrated

RECOVER is a BIA competence project that deals with improvement of recovery of carbon,nitrogen and phosphorous, and addresses six industrial companies serving several industrial sectors where biological wastewater treatment processes are required. The need for this research is emphasized in several international and Norwegian strategic documents in related fields. The increasing market value of wastewater components, such as ammonia and phosphorus, are acting as key drivers for resource recovery from wastewater. The work is organized in 6 packages. The packages 1-3 are directed towards new biological processes for removal and reuse of carbon, nitrogen and phosphorous in domestic and industrial wastewater. Innovative and sustainable wastewater treatment systems including reject water and return flows from sludge treatment will be developed in order to maximise the resource recovery while complying with strict effluent standards. The overall aim is to develop zero discharge concepts for resources that also may include production of fertilizers. Work package 4 is development of tools and techniques to support for the preceding activities and will deal with methods for characterisation of wastewater flows with regard to conditions for removal and re-use. Further, the tools development will comprise the use of sensors for monitoring and control of the biological processes. In work package 5 will we will explore how the findings can be used for further developments towards industrial applications and commercialisation. Work package 6 is directed towards the dissemination of the project results, where emphasis will be on international journal publications as well as presentations on forefront national and international conferences.