21st Century Wastewater Innovations
Modernizing wastewater management is crucial to 21st-century efficiency and sustainability. According to Forbes, technology such as Thermal Hydrolysis and Microbial Fuel Cells are current innovations positively impacting the wastewater industry.
Thermal hydrolysis is a technology that aids in wastewater management's separation and processing stages. The process serves three functions: biogas generation, waste-side production minimization, and treatment, which allow wastewater by-products called "sludge" to be turned into a valuable energy source rather than trash. For example, the Blue Plains Advanced Water Treatment Plant in Washington DC has successfully implemented thermal hydrolysis saving them $33 million a year. In 2017, the thermal hydrolysis process was generating 33% of their on-site energy while reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Additionally, Blue Plains is able to produce nearly 600 tons of Class A biosolids a day that can be sold as soil nutrients.
Microbial Fuel Cell (MFC) technology employs microbes to treat wastewater. The bacteria not only treats the water but also produces charged electrons during bacterial metabolism, creating an energy source. Using MFC is expected to aid the energy demand in urban wastewater treatment facilities. MICROrganic Industries developed a process in 2016 based on MFC known as the VIVA Module. VIVA reduced energy used during treatment by 85-90% while providing real-time performance data.
Wastewater level detectors are typically made from copper wires and breakable materials that can cause major complications in wastewater treatment operations. Failing detectors require expensive maintenance and in some cases failures have resulted in explosions. In an effort to provide a safer, innovative solution, the Opti-Float wastewater level detector was created using recycled materials, built to last millions of operations without breaking. using the power of light and fiber optics in place of electricity, Opti-Float is copper wire, mercury, and lead-free. As such, Opti-Float is one of the most sustainable, cost-efficient, and safe level detectors available on the market. Due to its explosion-proof materials and use of light innovation, For the first time, floats can be used in hazardous locations without compromising safety or risk of failure.
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