sophiesu – International Water Association

Water Tech Spotlight: the latest technology developments in the water industry | June 2022

sophiesu — Wed, 01 Jun 2022 13:17:21 +0000

Tech solutions and innovations are the mainstays towards a water-wise world. Water Tech Spotlight is a monthly blog that aims to highlight worldwide the latest technology developments in the water industry. Scroll down to find out more.

1. COMPACT SOLUTIONS FOR N&P REMOVAL

Storage and Reaction Tanks of BESWIFT Technology. Cover image Courtesy of BEWG

Recently, Beijing Enterprises Water Group (BEWG) publicly launched two technology products for nitrogen and phosphorus removal: BEAOA and BESWIFT. According to BEWG, after being successfully demonstrated at different scales, BEAOA proves to be an efficient process for denitrification and phosphorus removal while reducing sludge production. BESWIFT has been developed to target low C/N municipal wastewater based on BEWG’s independently developed aerobic granular sludge technology. Coupled with well-configured equipment and an intelligent control system, BESWIFT provides a fit for decentralised treatment, achieving simultaneous N&P removal and low energy consumption. Read more…

2. MACHINE LEARNING FOR MICROPLASTICS MANAGEMENT

A scanning electron microscope (SEM) plate holding microplastic samples(left) and the SEM used for the project (right). Photo by Bin Shi

Microplastics can almost be found anywhere and need to be effectively characterised and quantified to assess their impact on human health. Recently, researchers from the University of Toronto conducted two studies evaluating the use of machine learning to estimate the number of microplastic particles on the basis of aggregate particle weight measurements, and to classify the objects imaged by scanning electron microscopy. This is the first project producing a labelled open-source dataset for microplastics image segmentation. Read more…

3. NEW PORTABLE SEAWATER DESALITATION SYSTEM

Portable Desalination Unit can be driven by a small, portable solar panel. Image courtesy of Dr. Junghyo Yoon

MIT researchers have developed a portable, suitcase-sized desalination unit that can remove particles and salts to generate drinking water with no requirement for high-pressure pumps. This field-deployable system relies on the ion concentration polarization (ICP) technique and multistage electro membrane processes. Less energy is needed to power the unit compared to traditional desalination systems, and deployment in rural areas is much favoured. Read more…

4. KAUMERA EXTRACTION IN A MOBILE DEMO UNIT

Kaumera is a new bio-based raw material that is extracted from Nereda® aerobic granular sludge. Due to its unique property of being fire retardant and the ability to both absorb or repel water, Kaumera has a wide variety of applications. The first large-scale Kaumera plant is located in Zutphen, The Netherlands, and a mobile installation will be operated at the wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) in Utrecht. Read more…

5. CHINA’S 3D-PRINTED DAM READY IN 2 YEARS

Chinese scientists say the Yangqu Dam on the Tibetan plateau will be built using AI-controlled machinery applying 3D printing techniques. Photo from Weibo

According to scientists involved in the project, China is planning to 3D print a 180-metre-high hydropower dam on the Tibetan Plateau using unmanned excavators, trucks, bulldozers, pavers and rollers, all controlled by artificial intelligence (AI). The project is expected to be completed by 2024. Once finished, the Yangqu hydropower plant will be able to deliver nearly 5 billion kilowatt hours of electricity each year to Henan province. Read more…

Update from IWA team

Thanks for your interest in reading the monthly Water Tech Spotlight blog. Due to the preparations for the IWA World Water Congress & Exhibition (11-15 September 2022, Copenhagen), we will pause the WTS issues until October 2022.

Disclaimer

The International Water Association (IWA) is not liable for any damages arising in contract, tort or otherwise from the use of or inability to use WaterTech Spotlight or any material contained in it, or from any action or decision taken as a result of using it. The contents of WaterTech Spotlight do not comprise the IWA’s views; they do not constitute legal or other professional advice. You should consult your professional adviser for legal or other advice. IWA is not responsible for the content of any linked site or any link in a linked site. IWA is not responsible for any transmission received from any linked site. The links are provided to assist readers and the inclusion of a link does not imply that IWA endorses or has approved the linked site.

Contact: Sophie.Su@iwahq.org

Water Tech Spotlight: the latest technology developments in the water industry | May 2022

sophiesu — Wed, 04 May 2022 05:00:43 +0000

1. GROUNDBREAKING GRAPHENE MEMBRANE AT COMMERCIAL SCALE

Roll of NematiQ Graphene Membrane. Image courtesy of NematiQ

The global market for membrane-based water filtration is growing substantially. NematiQ, a subsidiary of Clean TeQ Water, has been developing graphene-based nanofiltration membranes for commercial manufacturing, and has now achieved a major milestone by producing over 1,000m of 1,000mm-wide flat sheet Graphene Membrane on an industrial roll-to-roll coating machine. This energy efficient nanofiltration membrane has been tested and is able to remove contaminants such as dissolved organics for a range of feed waters.

Cover image: UBCO researchers using fluorescence spectroscopy to quickly detect key toxins in tailings ponds water. Image courtesy of UBCO

Recently, researchers from the University of British Columbia (UBCO) have uncovered a new, fast, low-cost and reliable method to quickly identify toxins from oil sands and tailings ponds. The research is published in the Journal of Hazardous Materials. The results from the initial sample analysis from fluorescence spectroscopy are processed through an image modelling programme that accurately predicts the composition of the water. A convolutional neural network is used to process data in a grid-like topology, such as an image. Read more…

3. PEN-LIKE SENSOR QUICKLY DETECTS BISPHENOL-A IN WATER

Prototype of the portable device made from graphite, silver particles and polyurethane that detects BPA. Image courtesy of Marina Baccarin/USP

A new design of an electrochemical sensor in a pen-like shape has been developed by researchers from the University of São Paulo’s São Carlos Physics Institute (IFSC-USP) and São Carlos Chemistry Institute (IQSC-USP) in Brazil. Made of graphite, silver nanoparticles and polyurethane, the sensor can analyse chemical pollutants in water, such as bisphenol-A (BPA), an emerging chemical pollutant posing risks to the environment and human health. Thanks to its portability and smart-phone connection features, the device can deliver rapid results without requiring sample collection. An article describing the research is published in Materials Science and Engineering. Read more…

4. 3D TECHNOLOGY IGNITES GREATER BUSHFIRE RESILIENCE

To fortify its bushfire resilience at critical water and wastewater infrastructure sites, SA Water is now leveraging advanced 3D modelling technology based on the detailed photogrammetry captured by drones. This will lead to the development of an Australian-first water industry technical standard. By creating virtual 3D models of the infrastructure, the operators can analyse the assets and identify risks remotely, making it possible to properly schedule the upgrading of specific infrastructure features. Read more…

5. HARD TO MAKE DECISIONS? APP HELPS

A new tool named ValueDecisions has been developed by researchers from Eawag to deal with decision analysis. The original publication can be found in Environmental Modelling & Software. Based on multi-attribute value theory (MAVT), this open source application provides advanced analysis and visualization with no complex programming expected from users. The app can provide advanced cost-benefit and objective-based analyses. The app calculates and visualises the results of the Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA) in clear graphical representations and tables and is particularly useful to reach complex decisions involving multiple stakeholders with conflicting interests. The app has already proven itself in research practice for wastewater treatment in Paris and for flood warning West Africa. Read more…

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Contact: Sophie.Su@iwahq.org

Water Tech Spotlight: the latest technology developments in the water industry | April 2022

sophiesu — Tue, 05 Apr 2022 10:00:54 +0000

1. NEW DNA COMPUTER ASSESSES WATER QUALITY

Testing water from an area affected by wildfires in California. Image courtesy of Northwestern University

A low-cost, easy-to-use, hand-held device that can determine if the water is safe to drink within minutes has been recently developed at Northwestern University. Using powerful and programmable genetic networks, this new device is able to mimic electronic circuits and thereby perform a range of logic functions, for example, processing an analog input (contaminants) and generating a digital output (a visual signal to inform the user). The research was published in the journal Nature Chemical Biology. Read more…

2. PRODUCING GREEN AVIATION FUEL BY CAPTURING CO2 FROM MUNICIPAL WASTE

Green fuel: the conversion of CO₂ from municipal waste. Image courtesy of Veolia

An interdisciplinary consortium of LIPOR (Intermunicipal Waste Management of Greater Porto), P2X Europe and Veolia is launching feasibility studies at the Maia Energy Recovery Plant to produce green synthetic eFuel made of CO₂ from municipal waste. Up to 100,000 tons of biogenic CO₂ can be captured and recycled for conversion into eFuels in its first phase. This innovative technology will facilitate the conversion of waste into resourses and reduction of GHG emission. Read more…

3. NEW SOLAR CANALS TO BE INSTALLED IN CALIFORNIA

Conceptual rendering of spanning the 110 foot-wide TID Main Canal. Image courtesy of Solar Aquagrid LLC

Covering water bodies with solar panels can provide multiple benefits. Project Nexus is a pilot project that responds to the challenges of the energy, water and food nexus in the State of California. The deployment of solar PV panels over water canals reduces the evaporation of water and contributes to the generation of renewable electricity. A win-win game for water, energy and climate! Read more…

4. FRESHWATER FROM THIN AIR

Atmospheric water harvesting (AWH) is one of the promising solutions for freshwater production. A team of researchers from the University of Texas, Austin, have developed a novel “salt-friendly” polyzwitterionic hydrogel that can efficiently harvest large amounts of freshwater from dry air. The study, published in the journal Angewandte Chemie, shows that the basis for the new hydrogel was a polymer constructed from zwitterionic molecules. Hygroscopic salt combined with hydrogel can capture moisture and enhance swelling, leading to enhanced moisture uptake capacity. Read more…

5. NATURE-INSPIRED REVERSE HURRICANE

Vortexing works by sending water around in a hyperbolic funnel shape. Cover image courtesy of I. Schauberger

Aeration is one of the most energy-intensive processes in water and wastewater treatment and can be costly. To improve the aeration efficiency and cost-effectiveness, researchers from Wetsus have discovered a method of dissolving oxygen into water using a nature-inspired vortex, or whirlpool, that is five times more rapid and much cheaper than the conventional oxygen distribution process using bubble diffusers. The patented method published in the journal Water shows that geometrically constrained vortices in a hyperbolic funnel are a promising aeration technique. Read more…

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Contact: Sophie.Su@iwahq.org

Water Tech Spotlight: the latest technology developments in the water industry | March 2022

sophiesu — Tue, 01 Mar 2022 10:11:01 +0000

Tech solutions and innovations are mainstays towards achieving a water-wise world. Water Tech Spotlight is a monthly blog that aims to highlight worldwide the latest technology developments in the water industry. Scroll down to find out more.

1. EMERGING SOLUTIONS FOR PFAS REMOVAL

Depiction of the system working mechanism: 1. Pollutants separation and confinement; 2. Oxidation of the detained pollutants; 3. Regeneration of the system. Image courtesy of Dr. Samapti Kundu

Two promising solutions for removing PFAS from water are prevailing in research: using oxidation processes and using targeted polymers adsorbing pollutants. Technion researchers have developed an innovative technology combining these two methods – extracting the pollutants with special polymers followed by advanced oxidation processes to remove them. This method was described and published in Chemical Engineering Journal. Seven types of PFAS were tested and a removal efficiency as high as 90% can be achieved within a few minutes. Read more…

2. RAPID REMEDIATION OF HEAVY METAL-CONTAMINATED WATER THROUGH IRON-BASED PRIMARY BATTERY

Schematic illustration of removal mechanism. Image courtesy of GUO Xinyue

Recently, researchers from the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) updated a fast and promising method for the removal of Cd(II) in water on the Journal of Environmental Chemical Engineering. They have coated nanoscale zero-valent iron (NZVI) with conductive carbon paint (CCP) to fabricate a primary battery nanosystem and investigated the performance of this new nanocomposite (CCP@NZVI) under different conditions. An enhanced removal efficiency was observed at 95% within 5 minutes. Additionally, the study evaluated the biosafety effectiveness of this new remedy, and the results demonstrated a great potential for widespread deployment in the environmental field. Read more…

3. FUTURISTIC CAMERAS TO SURVEY PIPES UNDERGROUND

The new camera compared to the traditional larger camera. Image courtesy of Welsh Water

Welsh Water and API (Advanced Pipe Inspection) are collaborating on a new innovative camera system to investigate the condition of water supply pipes. The project promises to enhance customer experience by reducing supply disruption. The small cameras enter the water main through existing fire hydrants and generate a live video of the pipe’s condition. On top of this, Welsh Water is working with Kenton Pearce of AVK on the world’s first see-through 3D printed model of the fire hydrants to understand how the equipment will work. Read more…

4. REWAISE AND THE “SMART WATER ECOSYSTEM”

The demonstration plant consisting of an anaerobic reactor connected to 3 membrane tanks. Image courtesy of Ángel Robles et al.

Funded through the H2020 programme, REWAISE is a major initiative led by four European water utilities to create a new smart water ecosystem, engaging 25 entities across Europe to test technological innovations in real water environments. After a successful pilot of an anaerobic bioreactor for treating 1 m3/day in Vigo, the design of a demo unit for sewer mining for treating 55 m3/day of wastewater from a local car factory has been completed. The unit is capable of repurposing water for cooling, washing and processing, transforming organic matter into biogas and recovering nutrients. New designs are also in the pipeline to create a large ultrafiltration plant for treating surface water following the successful pilot tests to compare membranes and define quality parameters. Read more…

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Contact: Sophie.Su@iwahq.org

Water Tech Spotlight: the latest technology developments in the water industry | February 2022

sophiesu — Thu, 03 Feb 2022 14:27:14 +0000

Technological solutions and innovations are essential to secure a water-wise future. Water Tech Spotlight is a monthly blog which aims to highlight the latest technology developments in the water industry globally. Scroll down to find out more.

1. TOWARDS CARBON NEUTRALITY: NOVEL MEMBRANE FOR CARBON CAPTURE AND STORAGE

Achieving net zero requires great efforts to improve carbon capture and storage, membranes can help with this. In a new study published in Membranes, a research team from Japan has developed a novel method of synthesizing a pure Si-CHA membrane on a silica substrate for the first time, demonstrating superior CO₂ separation performance. This new method paves the way for the widespread use of improved membrane to remove CO₂ from industrial emissions. Read more…

2. ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE FOR BETTER SEWER PERFORMANCE

The University of Sheffield and Yorkshire Water in partnership with Siemens have successfully completed a pilot addressing the issues of network blockages, and are now expanding it to a network of over 2000 combined sewer overflows (CSOs). The new solution integrates sensing, communication, analytics and reporting technology by using sensors to feed water level data into a blockage predictor, analysing the performance of the sewer network in real time and predicting network problems thanks to AI technology. Read more…

3. USA’S LARGEST ION EXCHANGE PFAS TREATMENT FACILITY

The PFAS treatment facility located at the existing YLWD headquarters in Placentia. Image courtesy of Yorba Linda Water District

Due to their adverse impact on humans, PFAS (also known as ‘forever chemicals’) are constantly being detected and removed in water sources in the United States. In December 2021, The Orange County Water District (OCWD) and the Yorba Linda Water District (YLWD) began operating the nation’s largest ion exchange (IX) treatment system, made of highly porous resin acting like powerful magnets, to remove PFAS from local well water. Read more…

4. USING MOBILE BASE STATIONS AS RAINFALL SENSORS

Antennas on a rooftop StartHub mobile base station. Image courtesy of StarHub

The Hydroinformatics Institute (H2i) is teaming up with StarHub to develop an accurate yet cost-effective rainfall prediction and flood management system in a PUB-endorsed pilot. By using mobile base stations as rainfall sensors and correlating variations in mobile signal strength with rain data, the H2i-StarHub team will be piloting the solution for the first time in Singapore, allowing for a better management of intense rain across the island. Read more…

5. REALISING WASTEWATER TREATMENT SYSTEMS USING MICROBIAL FUEL CELLS

Wastewater treatment system design using MFCs and upsized cell developed by Kurita. Image courtesy of Kurita

Kurita is working to improve the performance of microbial power generation cells. In collaboration with Nisshinbo Holdings, Kurita has successfully developed an upsized cell and achieved the world’s highest level of COD_Cr removal rate of 20kg/m³/d and output of 200W/m³. Moving forward, Kurita will begin evaluating potential applications for the cells in actual wastewater and improve the cell’s performance further for more practical use. Read more…

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Contact: Sophie.Su@iwahq.org

Water Tech Spotlight: the latest technology developments in the water industry | January 2022

sophiesu — Thu, 13 Jan 2022 09:17:34 +0000

Tech solutions and innovations are the mainstays towards a water-wise world. IWA’s Water Tech Spotlight is a monthly blog that aims to highlight worldwide the latest technology developments in the water industry. Scroll down to find out more.

PILOTING A REAL-TIME INNOVATIVE SYSTEM FOR WATER INFRASTRUCTURE OPTIMIZATION

WaterStart and the Southern Nevada Water Authority (SNWA) have partnered with Xylem to pilot an optimization solution embracing operational systems, GIS, and sensor-supported hydraulic modeling. This digital collaboration will help water utilities augment operational efficiency, cost management, assessment of water infrastructure condition as well as improve water demand forecasting and perform real-time water quality optimization. Read more…

REINVENTING TOILETS FOR THE FUTURE

Urine-separation toilet ‘save!’ by Laufen was awarded the Design Prize Switzerland 2021.

This future-proof toilet is the result of a collaboration between Laufen Bathrooms, Austrian design studio EOOS, and the Swiss water research institute Eawag. Based on source-separation technology, this toilet separates urine from other waste streams through a channel inside the toilet pan by leveraging sophisticate interior geometry and surface tension. It is a promising innovation for achieving SDGs by allowing different waste streams to be processed efficiently and valuable nutrients to be recovered sustainably. Read more…

HIGHLY SELECTIVE MEMBRANES SEPARATE NANOPARTICLES

Filtering sub-10 nm sized particles and molecules remains a cross-sectoral challenge for existing membrane separation techniques, due to lack of membranes with highly tunable pore size and designed functionality. However, researchers from the Technion – Israel Institute of Technology and the Helmholtz-Zentrum Hereon Center in Germany have fabricated well-structured hybrid organic-inorganic-organic isoporous membranes for energy-efficient separation, published in Advanced Materials. These functionalised membranes comprise self-assembled block copolymers with metal oxide, showing promising results in separating 1–2 nm organic molecules. Read more…

Right: Membrane manufacturing process – growth of metals within the membrane channels in a precise way that controls their size, and then creating a response to obtain a membrane with a unique physical property. Left: Sectional view of the membrane showing a combination of the metal oxides on top of the block-copolymer membranes, Image courtesy of Technion, Israel Institute of Technology.

AN ATTEMPT TO SECURE MACAO`S WATER SUPPLY FOR THE NEXT DECADE

Macao Water has commissioned its fourth water treatment plant (WTP) – Seac Pai Van Water Treatment Plant – to increase its daily water supply capacity from the existing 390,000 m³ to 520,000 m³. This plant is harmonious with Macao’s landscape and employs SUEZ’s chartered technologies to remove micropollutants. In addition, it comes with solar-powered streetlights, an efficient pumping system, and water reuse systems, aiming at significant energy savings and carbon footprint reduction. This project will raise Macao’s global profile as a leader in sustainable development. Read more…

AI-SUPPORTED INNOVATIVE PILOT FOR LEAK DETECTION

In a running battle to eliminate leakages in water distribution networks, United Utilities has teamed up with Sensat to trial an AI-supported solution to predict the locations of leaks. Thanks to unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) technology and high-resolution photogrammetry, a probability-based algorithm is developed to automatically identify potential leak locations and greatly reduce manual inspections. Read more…

Algorithm assesses thermal imaging and high-resolution photogrammetry visualised in Sensat to predict where water leakage is present, Image courtesy of Sensat.

NEW PARTNERSHIP EXPLORING TECHNOLOGIES FOR MICROPOLLUTANTS AND PHOSPHOROUS REMOVAL

Under the support of five Dutch water authorities and the Belgian Aquafin, Brightwork is working on a pilot to remove micropollutants as well as phosphorus. The core technology lies in the use of a granular activated carbon (GAC)-enabled continuous aerated filter with integrated adsorption and biodegradation processes, allowing enhanced activated carbon saturation and endurability. Read more…

Disclaimer: The International Water Association (IWA) is not liable for any damages arising in contract, tort or otherwise from the use of or inability to use WaterTech Spotlight or any material contained in it, or from any action or decision taken as a result of using it. The contents of WaterTech Spotlight do not comprise the IWA’s views; they do not constitute legal or other professional advice. You should consult your professional adviser for legal or other advice. IWA is not responsible for the content of any linked site or any link in a linked site. IWA is not responsible for any transmission received from any linked site. The links are provided to assist readers and the inclusion of a link does not imply that IWA endorses or has approved the linked site.

Cover image courtesy of EAWAG

Water Tech Spotlight: the latest technology developments in the water industry | December 2021

sophiesu — Thu, 16 Dec 2021 06:00:31 +0000

1. ZAPPING UNTREATED WATER GETS RID OF WATERBORNE VIRUSES

Iron electrocoagulation simultaneously removed and inactivated a non-enveloped virus surrogate under slightly acidic conditions. Image courtesy of Kyungho Kim.

Texas A&M researchers have shown that an electrocoagulation method is effective at removing nonenveloped waterborne viruses mainly responsible for gastrointestinal infections. Published in the Journal of Environmental Science and Technology, this experiment used iron electrodes, forging iron precipitates and hydroxyl radicals to capture and inactivate viruses. A novel computational technique was also developed to image viruses in the aggregates. Read more…

2. WORLD`S LARGEST CERAMIC MEMBRANE BIOREACTOR FACILITY TO BE INSTALLED IN SINGAPORE

Following the successful demonstration of ceramic MBR technology at Jurong Water Reclamation Plant (WRP), Singapore’s National Water Agency PUB will equip Tuas WRP with the world’s largest ceramic MBR facility to treat industrial wastewater using two Industrial Liquid Modules (ILMs). With an expected combined treatment capacity of 150,000 m³, this exemplar facility will aid in shortening the water loop and secure a more robust and resilient water supply for Singapore. Read more…

3. COLD ANAEROBIC TREATMENTS TO SHAKE UP WATER SECTOR ENERGY USE

A multi-institutional collaborative project led by Thames Water recently kicked off to decarbonize wastewater treatment thanks to innovative cold anaerobic processes. This membrane-free cold process will be deployed at mobile pilots to investigate its ability to remove nutrients and recover resources under different wastewater strengths. This plan will foster sustainable resource recovery, reduce sludge production, energy consumption and the carbon footprint of wastewater treatment plants. Read more…

4. AUTONOMOUS INSPECTION ROBOT FLEXIBLY NAVIGATES THROUGH WATER PIPES

Award-winning SubMerge Robot recently won the Aquatech Innovation Award. The autonomous robot was developed by a consortium of Dutch water utilities. Smoothly patrolling pipes, this rechargeable robot can detect leaks, corrosions, and map pipe networks to create a digital twin, using a camera, ultrasonic sensor, hydrophone and positioning algorithm. This smart robot, pictured in the main photo of this blogpost, is certainly an ally for water utilities striving to improve network surveillance and asset management. Read more…

5. FITNESS TRACKER FOR WATER PIPES

The Critical Infrastructure Pipeline Protection System® (CIPPS®), jointly incubated by United Utilities and Datatecnics in England, can dynamically track pipeline deterioration. This innovative technology uses data from tiny sensors assessing the expansion and contraction of pipers in real time to work out how ‘healthy’ a pipe is. Read more…

6. NEW POLYMER DETECTION METHOD TO TURN THE (PEP)TIDE IN THE FIGHT AGAINST WATER POLLUTION

Schematic illustration of the Identification of water-soluble polymers through discrimination of multiple optical signals from a single peptide sensor, Image courtesy of Tokyo Tech News.

Water-soluble synthetic polymers substantially contribute to marine pollution and wreak havoc on water and soil as they are very difficult to remove using common filtering techniques. Researchers from the Tokyo Institute of Technology have rolled out an unconventional peptide sensor to detect water-soluble polymers in wastewater through peptide-polymer bonding coupled with machine learning algorithms. Published in the ACS Applied Materials and Interfaces, this is a step forward for innovations aimed at protecting marine environments. Read more…

Water Tech Spotlight: the latest technology developments in the water industry | October 2021

sophiesu — Thu, 21 Oct 2021 10:46:25 +0000

1. COMBINING SUNLIGHT AND WASTEWATER NITRATE TO MAKE THE WORLD’S NO. 2 CHEMICAL

A state-of-the-art solar-powered electrochemical reaction technology was recently developed to systematically produce ammonia (NH₃), which is ranked as the second most produced chemical in the world. A group of engineers at the University of Illinois, Chicago, developed this cutting-edge technology using wastewater nitrates (NO₃^–) under sunlight. The study is published in Energy & Environmental Science. Read More…

2. AN OFF-GRID SANITATION SYSTEM ENTERS THE MARKET IN SOUTH AFRICA

The NEWgenerator^TM is a multi-purpose off-grid sanitation system developed by experts at the University of South Florida (USF) in collaboration with the Water Research Commission’s SASTEP initiative. This compact, portable and modular future-proof system can improve water reuse efficiency, produce energy from biogas, and provide nutrient-rich fertilizer from its sewage water. This commercial product could be a turning point for safe and sustainable WASH in emerging economies. Read more…

3. USING REMOTE AUGMENTED REALITY TO KEEP ESSENTIAL WATER TREATMENT PLANTS RUNNING

COVID-19 has not only taken a toll on global water and sanitation services but also challenged the adequate surveillance of wastewater treatment plants. However, Veolia North America (VNA) recently trialled a remote augmented reality tool for monitoring and servicing treatment plants, making traditional in-person inspections a thing of the past and minimizing occupational hazards. This successful pilot is an example of streamlining digitalisation and enhanced infrastructure management for water utilities. Read more…

4. FIRST TRIAL OF A NEW LEAKAGE TECH IN THE UK

Anglian Water has successfully trialled a technology to find and measure leaks in live water lines in the UK as part of a new partnership with Electro Scan. This formidable technology employs multi-sensors, low voltage conductivity, acoustic technology, and high-resolution closed-circuit television (CCTV) in detecting holes with a 1cm diameter in water pipes as well as estimating water losses in litres per second. Read more…

5. NEW METHOD FOR REMOVING LEAD FROM DRINKING WATER

A group of researchers at MIT have recently discovered a laboratory-based economical and energy-efficient system to remove lead and other notorious heavy metals from drinking water. Published in Environmental Science and Technology – Water, this new approach incorporates a process called shock electrodialysis. With 95% lead reduction results, this method offers huge potential for removing tiny concentrations of persistent pollutants from water. Read more…

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Water Tech Spotlight: the latest technology developments in the water industry | September 2021

sophiesu — Thu, 23 Sep 2021 05:00:40 +0000

1. THE WORLD’S FIRST VALIDATED, MUNICIPAL UV LED DISINFECTION INSTALLATION

The world’s first municipal scale UV LED Installation at Cumwhinton Drinking Water Plant in Cumbria, UK. The use of UVC-LED for water disinfection has been researched for past 10 years and yet the persisting challenge is how to apply a small, low-power, mercury-free LED to a system suitable for a full-scale application. Typhon, a UK‐based manufacturer of UV LED water treatment systems has developed the world’s first validated municipal‐scale UV LED disinfection system which will be installed at Cumwhinton, a United Utilities water treatment plant in the Northwest of England. Read More…

2. ASSESSING DEVELOPMENTAL NEUROTOXICITY IN COMPUTER LANGUAGE

To fully understand the long term consequences of toxic substances in the environment, researchers at the Eawag Water Research Institute have developed a computer model that can map the complexity of the nervous system and make predictions about which chemicals might impair the nervous system and in what way. The results are published in Frontiers in Genetics. Read More…

3. HIGH-SELECTIVE PSEUDOCAPACITIVE ELECTRODE FOR WATER SOFTENING

Recent years have seen a growing interest in the use of capacitive deionization as a novel water treatment technology. Researchers at the Hefei Institutes of Physical Science (HFIPS) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) recently developed a pseudo-capacitive electrode with high efficiency and selective electrosorption of hardness ions for water softening. Read More…

4. NEW METHOD IMPROVES DETECTION OF HARMFUL MICROSCOPIC PARASITES IN WATER

CRISPR technology has been shown to identify the presence of harmful Cryptosporidium microbes in water samples. Image courtesy of UNSW

Published in Water Research, an ultrasensitive CRISPR/Cas12a-powered immunosensing method is proposed by engineers from University of New South Wales (UNSW) to quickly and easily identify potentially fatal Cryptosporidium microorganisms. The system produces a distinctive fluorescent glow in the water sample when Cryptosporidium is found. Read More…

5. A GREEN ENERGY INNOVATION FOR WATER SPLITTING

Green hydrogen is a promising clean energy source with great potential to achieve carbon neutrality. At present, electrochemical water splitting is the simplest way to obtain green hydrogen (H₂) but yet to be commercialised. Now, a team of researchers from Pusan National University, Korea, have developed a novel electrocatalyst that can enable commercial on-site production of hydrogen from water splitting in an energy and cost-efficient way, and their work is published in Applied Catalysis B: Environmental. Read More…

6. NEW FILTERING METHOD PROMISES SAFER DRINKING WATER

Reported in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, researchers at the Tufts University School of Engineering have developed novel polymer membranes that can mimic the highly selective properties of biological cells and thus separate fluoride from chloride and other ions with twice the selectivity reported by other methods. Read More…

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Water Tech Spotlight: the latest technology developments in the water industry | August 2021

sophiesu — Thu, 26 Aug 2021 05:00:02 +0000

1. ECO-FRIENDLY HYDRORESTTING PLASTIC

The newly produced bioplastic consists of “hydroplastic polymers”, which become soft and malleable on contact with water. Photo courtesy of K Zhang

Researchers at the University of Göttingen, Germany, have found a sustainable approach to plastic production: the hydrosetting method. Hydrosetting uses water to process and reshape a new type of hydroplastic polymer called cellulose cinnamate (CCi). The research was published in Nature Sustainability. Read more…

2. GRAPHENE FOAM FOR FILTERING TOXINS FROM DRINKING WATER

A reusable 3D functionalized reduced graphene oxide foam (3D‐FrGOF) is used as an in situ electrolytic deposition electrode to extract uranium from contaminated water. Image courtesy of the researchers

By applying an electric charge to graphene oxide foam, uranium can be captured in solution and precipitates out as a condensed solid crystal. This highly efficient method was recently devised by an MIT-led research team for removing uranium from drinking water and the research was published on Advanced Materials. The foam is reusable up to several times without losing its electrochemical properties. This process can purify a large quantity of drinking water below the EPA limit for uranium within hours. Read more…

3. NOVEL TECHNIQUE SEAMLESSLY CONVERTS AMMONIA TO GREEN HYDROGEN

Due to its high energy density, ease of storage & handling, and eco-friendly properties, ammonia has emerged as an attractive liquid for hydrogen production. A research team at UNIST (Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology, South Korea) has succeeded in producing green hydrogen (H2) in large quantities by decomposing liquid ammonia (NH3) into electricity with the use of a flower-like electrodeposited Pt catalyst. This finding was published in the Journal of Materials Chemistry A. Read more…

4. NEW WELSH WATER INNOVATION TO HELP PREVENT FLOODING AND POLLUTION INCIDENTS

Welsh Water manages a network of 30,000km km of sewers serving over three million people and businesses. Nowadays, sensors play a vital role in inspecting sewer conditions and identifying critical network issues, enabling water companies to proactively attend areas that are known to have problems whilst utilizing resources more efficiently. Recently, Welsh Water successfully tested an innovative radar sensor that can help prevent distressful internal sewer flooding incidents. Despite the conditions in the sewer, such as rags, wipes and grease, the radar sensor was still able to provide real time, accurate data. Read more…

5. USING ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE TO UNLOCK EXTREME WEATHER MYSTERIES

Forecasting climate change impacts remains a challenge, owing to the complex causes of extreme events. Stanford University researchers have developed a machine learning tool to identify conditions for extreme precipitation events in the Midwest of the USA, which account for over half of all major flooding events across the nation. Published in Geophysical Research Letters, this approach is one of the first examples using artificial intelligence (AI) to analyse large-scale atmospheric circulation patterns associated with extreme precipitation. Read more…

6. CONTROLLING THE MOVEMENT OF SMALL WATER DROPLETS VIA A SUPERPARAMAGNETIC RING

The manipulation of droplets via a magnetic field draws attention in several fields, including technological applications and basic studies in dynamic systems. Recently, a study carried out by the UPV/EHU’s Microfluidics Cluster, published by Advanced Functional Materials, has presented and characterized the formation and properties of a superparamagnetic ring. This precisely adjusts itself around a water droplet when an oil-based ferrofluid is in contact with the droplet under the influence of a magnetic field, allowing the drops to be physically manipulated. Read more…

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