Improving the Efficiency and Effectiveness of Ultraviolet Wastewater Treatment

Transcription

1 Improving the Efficiency and Effectiveness of Ultraviolet Wastewater Treatment Wastewater Research & Industry Support Forum 25 th November 2009 Clare Warren Optima Design Services Ltd Bob Goodman Xcel System

2 Today s Objective Discuss non-confidential details of technology Discuss our approach to the research and development Achieve industry support

3 The Consortium Optima Design Services Mechanical Engineers & Project Lead Caledonian Industries Manufacturer Xcel Systems Electronic Engineers United Utilities Test Site and End User

4 Research Rationale: In 2005/6 defra estimated wastewater treatment produced 2.8 million tonnes of Carbon per year. UV Technology one of the main users of energy in wastewater treatment. Current UV Technology Advantages Disadvantages Chemical free Wide range of germicidal effect no affect on aesthetic quality of water Running costs and energy consumption Inability to use on high turbidity solutions Maintenance especially removal of fouling on lamps Product Aim Reduce a potential 1 million tonnes of carbon emissions within 5 years of launch due to municipal and industrial treatment in the UK. Current systems cost in the region of 100/Ml to process, reduce to 60/Ml.

5 The Innovations R&D addresses both mechanical and electrical components of technology Electronic Use low pressure lamps Possible through maximising the power density of bulbs which can create an equal germicidal irradiation to that of medium pressure Using sensor technology Optimise the dose for varying quality of water Mechanical Optimise irradiation potential Maximise the incidence of UV on water, enable more turbid solutions to be processed

6 Where we are now Electronic Developments Mathematical models proved with bench-top prototypes. Early prototyping shows a potential reduction in energy need of 30% Mechanical Developments Small scale trials at Scottish Water show a potential reduction in energy need of 20% Market Research Demonstrates large scale facilities: municipal waste /drinking water and industrial applications as the highest return on investment. To bring to market Need to undertake a two year R&D project to create preproduction prototype. After which VC funding will be sought to launch products.

7 Key Work Packages Develop and validate electrical innovations for large scale application Development of real time control system to allow optimal dose level to be used on water Development, optimisation and verification of flow system. A series of iterative designs is anticipated to achieve a peak germicidal irradiation. Use of digital analysis techniques - FEA and CFD Industrialisation of design, develop the design into a system suitable for large facilities. Create and test preproduction prototype onsite.

8 Commercial Potential UV wastewater market in $500 million - municipal contracts $240 million - industrial $100 million Forecasted sector growth to $880 million by 2010 a rapidly growing market (Trends and developments in UV Water Treatment Industry, Dussert, 2008). The primary applications of UV irradiation technology in water include: Wastewater Water reuse Drinking water Food and beverage Pharmaceutical and cosmetic Aquaculture Swimming pools Go to market 2012/13 with large facility product offering. License technology for other applications

9 Next Step Shortlisted for Carbon Trust Applied Research Grant - 600k project Deadline January 2010 Identify other sources of investment to continue research and development. Report by Council for Science and Technology suggests more funding will be available imminently through organisations such as TSB. Seek industry support to validate the importance of research.

10 Comments, questions, suggestions...and advice! Contact Details

11 Discussion of Clare Warren, Optima Design Services Ltd and Bob Goodman, Xcel System Q UV treatment started with low pressure tubes and then changed to medium pressure to reduce the overall size of the installations A We can use low pressure lamps because we have modelled the lamp diameter to maximise germicidal output; the technique was not available in the early days of UV. This has given a 20% improvement in energy. Q Will it be necessary to introduce some pre-treatment to reduce turbidity in the water to be treated C The effluent quality has improved (because of BNR etc.) and therefore turbidity is much less of a problem, but at present EA Consents are quite prescriptive and require 35 mj/cm 2 A Severn Trent Services has introduced MicroDynamics microwave ultraviolet technology 1 which uses microwaves to energize low-pressure, high-output lamps for municipal or industrial water and wastewater applications. They fire up much faster and have longer life. Screens are useful to keep algal threads out of lamps. Fe dosing for P removal give a problem because of hydrous oxide deposition on lamps which can be abraded by cleaning processes. C Flow equalisation is an issue. Q What organisms have you been looking at? A Cryptosporidium and E. coli mainly Q What about viruses? You will need to show that the system kills viruses and rotoviruses as well as the indicator organisms. One of the benefits of medium power lamps is that they broaden the spectrum of kill. C MS2 bacteriophage 2 seems to be a good surrogate for viruses Q is the carbon cost of UV still the right answer, mightn t long sea outfalls be preferable capital vs operating [money and carbon] Q What sensors are you using? The EA went for applied dose 10 years ago because sensors weren t good enough. C The Hippo sensor 3 is quite good now Conclusion: This research looks very worthwhile. It has the potential to improve the effectiveness of disinfection, reduce energy cost and reduce carbon footprint. The FWR Wastewater Research & Industry Support Forum and the CIWEM Wastewater MANAGEMENT Panel hope that the Carbon Trust will fund it. 1 prod_350.aspx ?VNETCOOKIE=NO