A groundbreaking water purification technology developed by Wageningen University & Research (WUR) has just obtained the prestigious Vernufteling award. The event is organized by Royal NLingenieurs, the Dutch trade association of engineering, consultancy, and management firms. This cutting-edge technology, aptly named Aurea, uses a blend of microorganisms and chemical treatments to cleanse wastewater of stubborn microcontaminants like pharmaceutical residues, hormones, and pesticides. As these harmful substances increasingly pollute our surface and drinking water, the need for such innovative purification methods becomes ever more critical.
Microbes and ozone: the dynamic duo of water purification
Aurea technology was developed by a team of researchers from WUR in collaboration with the engineering firm Royal HaskoningDHV. Professor Huub Rijnaarts, chair of Environmental and Water Technology at WUR, spearheaded this initiative.
This innovative purification process stands out due to its two-step system of microbial magic followed by a chemical cleanup. First, specialized bacteria feast and break down as many organic substances in the water as possible. The remaining hard-to-degrade contaminants are then targeted by injecting ozone, a highly reactive substance.
This dual approach is not only effective but also energy-efficient, as the microorganisms handle the bulk of the purification, reducing the need for ozone, which is crucial since high levels of ozone can produce harmful byproducts like bromate.
From lab to life
The journey of Aurea technology from concept to large-scale implementation has been long-awaited. Funded by the TKI Water Technology programme, WUR and Royal HaskoningDHV worked together to transition the technology from proof of principle to pilot scale. Initial small-scale trials were conducted in the laboratory and later tested on real wastewater from a treatment plant in Bennekom. These successful trials have paved the way for scaling up, and now, the first large-scale installation of Aurea technology is set to be launched in Zeist.
This technology promises to enhance wastewater purification in the Netherlands significantly. Yet, it is not a panacea. While Aurea manages to eliminate biologically and chemically degradable organic substances, it cannot yet tackle persistent contaminants like PFAS, a complex cluster of synthetic chemicals.
However, ongoing research at Wageningen is now taking on this mission, exploring ways of capturing and breaking down these tough substances.
The deployment of Aurea technology marks a significant milestone, not just for the researchers but for environmental sustainability as a whole. This innovation not only promises to clean our water more efficiently but also represents a crucial step forward in the global quest for sustainable solutions.
Related Posts
