Periodic Reporting for period 2 - AQUA BUBBLES: Nanobubbles for water treatment (Nano-oxygenation in water treatment by ambient-pressure air-fed, ultra-low-energy nanobubble generation)
Reporting period: 2023-12-01 to 2024-11-30
AquaB emerges at the intersection of cutting-edge nanotechnology and critical challenges in water treatment. In response to the global demand for sustainable and efficient water-aeration solutions, AquaB focuses on the development and application of nanobubbles (NB) technology. These ultra-small bubbles exhibit unique properties that promise transformative impacts on various sectors, particularly in environmental-water and wastewater treatment (WWT).
AquaB’s overarching objective is to revolutionise water-aeration practices by introducing a disruptive and platform-wide technology for NB generation. The context of this initiative is shaped by the pressing issues related to energy consumption, water quality, and environmental sustainability. Traditional aeration methods often entail high energy consumption and limited effectiveness, contributing to challenges such as eutrophication and methane emissions.
AquaB's innovative nanobubbles address these challenges by offering a low-energy, efficient, and environmentally-friendly solution for water aeration. Key objectives include securing UL and CE certification for mass-scale production, optimising electrode designs for larger-volume water nano-aeration, and developing continuous-flow prototypes for applications such as sludge-tank recirculation and finalising commercial-grade controller designs.
The anticipated impacts of AquaB’s products are far-reaching. From providing clean potable water at a lower energy cost to minimising eutrophic methane emissions, AquaB aims to address critical challenges at the nexus of water, energy, and climate. The project's success is poised to transform industries, reduce environmental footprints, and contribute to the EU's overarching goals of sustainability and innovation.
AquaB’s overarching objective is to revolutionise water-aeration practices by introducing a disruptive and platform-wide technology for NB generation. The context of this initiative is shaped by the pressing issues related to energy consumption, water quality, and environmental sustainability. Traditional aeration methods often entail high energy consumption and limited effectiveness, contributing to challenges such as eutrophication and methane emissions.
AquaB's innovative nanobubbles address these challenges by offering a low-energy, efficient, and environmentally-friendly solution for water aeration. Key objectives include securing UL and CE certification for mass-scale production, optimising electrode designs for larger-volume water nano-aeration, and developing continuous-flow prototypes for applications such as sludge-tank recirculation and finalising commercial-grade controller designs.
The anticipated impacts of AquaB’s products are far-reaching. From providing clean potable water at a lower energy cost to minimising eutrophic methane emissions, AquaB aims to address critical challenges at the nexus of water, energy, and climate. The project's success is poised to transform industries, reduce environmental footprints, and contribute to the EU's overarching goals of sustainability and innovation.
During the project, AquaB concentrated on advancing its nanobubble technology and exploring new applications. The team actively engaged in validating and enhancing the existing technology through the use of Light-Scattering techniques and proxy methods to measure oxidative “fingerprint” of NB aeration in water and wastewater. These methods were instrumental in providing valuable insights into the characteristics of nanobubbles.
Achievements included the establishment of strategic partnerships to facilitate scientific research and validation. Collaborations were formed with external entities to leverage expertise and resources in conducting trials and validating AquaB's nanobubble technology. Key collaborations include engagements with commercial providers and academic technology-development partners.
One core aspect of the AQUA-BUBBLES project was focussed on the technical development from TRL-6 to -8 of AquaB’s novel nanobubble-generation method in the guise of energy-efficient nanobubble (NB) generators. Excellent design and validation progress was made in all of these core project areas, realising elevated levels of nanobubble populations, dissolved oxygen and oxidative action for these TRL-7 prototypes and increased design nous, particularly in high-performance electrode design on foot of boosting upstream populations of meso- and macro-bubbles.
Moving on from TRL-6 towards TRL-8 prototypes, electrode-design optimisation was pivotal for ammonia and nitrite conversion in water-treatment operations, as well as in “smart” units to optimise the level of additives being used in wastewater treatment (WWT). Great progress was achieved in both of these areas, with important verifying field-trial results and careful scientific-publication data and strong TRL-7/8 trial data.
Another core goal of the project, and especially so in the second year, was TRL-7/8 field trials, often in full industrial settings, with associated data acquisition for developing and training Artificial-Intelligence (AI)-based software models “in the wild” (i.e. outside of the laboratory as a starting point). Combined with very promising AI-model-training progress, it is clear that AquaB now has the most sophisticated suite of solar- and AI-enabled, low-energy and low-maintenance TRL-8/9 NB generators on the planet.
Reaching TRL-9 for product maturity in select models at project’s end was always a goal of the LEAR, Prof. English, when the AQUA-BUBBLES proposal was crafted in Spring 2022. AquaB has achieved this – with heartfelt thanks to the EIC.
Achievements included the establishment of strategic partnerships to facilitate scientific research and validation. Collaborations were formed with external entities to leverage expertise and resources in conducting trials and validating AquaB's nanobubble technology. Key collaborations include engagements with commercial providers and academic technology-development partners.
One core aspect of the AQUA-BUBBLES project was focussed on the technical development from TRL-6 to -8 of AquaB’s novel nanobubble-generation method in the guise of energy-efficient nanobubble (NB) generators. Excellent design and validation progress was made in all of these core project areas, realising elevated levels of nanobubble populations, dissolved oxygen and oxidative action for these TRL-7 prototypes and increased design nous, particularly in high-performance electrode design on foot of boosting upstream populations of meso- and macro-bubbles.
Moving on from TRL-6 towards TRL-8 prototypes, electrode-design optimisation was pivotal for ammonia and nitrite conversion in water-treatment operations, as well as in “smart” units to optimise the level of additives being used in wastewater treatment (WWT). Great progress was achieved in both of these areas, with important verifying field-trial results and careful scientific-publication data and strong TRL-7/8 trial data.
Another core goal of the project, and especially so in the second year, was TRL-7/8 field trials, often in full industrial settings, with associated data acquisition for developing and training Artificial-Intelligence (AI)-based software models “in the wild” (i.e. outside of the laboratory as a starting point). Combined with very promising AI-model-training progress, it is clear that AquaB now has the most sophisticated suite of solar- and AI-enabled, low-energy and low-maintenance TRL-8/9 NB generators on the planet.
Reaching TRL-9 for product maturity in select models at project’s end was always a goal of the LEAR, Prof. English, when the AQUA-BUBBLES proposal was crafted in Spring 2022. AquaB has achieved this – with heartfelt thanks to the EIC.
AquaB's recent endeavours in advancing nanobubble technology have yielded highly promising results and significant achievements. The collaboration with key partners in trials and validation efforts has provided valuable insights into the technology's performance and applications.
1. Improved Technology Validation: Trials have enhanced the validation of AquaB's nanobubble technology. Scientific rigor, including the use of Light Scattering technologies, ensured a robust understanding of nanobubble characteristics.
2. Diverse Applications Explored: Collaboration with commercial partners has opened avenues for exploring diverse nanobubble applications, particularly in the water treatment industry. AquaB's commitment to understanding and addressing specific challenges positions its technology for versatile applications.
3. Market Expansion: Successful trials within a range of sectors positions AquaB for broader market adoption, increased market share, heightened industry recognition, and expanded business opportunities.
4. Technological Innovation: Continuous efforts in refining nanobubble technology pave the way for ongoing innovation, encompassing staying ahead of industry trends, meeting evolving market demands, and solidifying AquaB's position as a technological leader.
In terms of the core project goals of market positioning/awareness (including branding) and business development, AquaB has achieved a great deal. All of the important business-development activities throughout the project have led to an updating of the company’s more commercially-focussed business plan recently – with a focus on outdoor water treatment. Coupled with great progress in communications/disseminations (with white-papers, podcasts, website and logo-rebranding, trade-show attendance), the project has been well and professionally managed.
1. Improved Technology Validation: Trials have enhanced the validation of AquaB's nanobubble technology. Scientific rigor, including the use of Light Scattering technologies, ensured a robust understanding of nanobubble characteristics.
2. Diverse Applications Explored: Collaboration with commercial partners has opened avenues for exploring diverse nanobubble applications, particularly in the water treatment industry. AquaB's commitment to understanding and addressing specific challenges positions its technology for versatile applications.
3. Market Expansion: Successful trials within a range of sectors positions AquaB for broader market adoption, increased market share, heightened industry recognition, and expanded business opportunities.
4. Technological Innovation: Continuous efforts in refining nanobubble technology pave the way for ongoing innovation, encompassing staying ahead of industry trends, meeting evolving market demands, and solidifying AquaB's position as a technological leader.
In terms of the core project goals of market positioning/awareness (including branding) and business development, AquaB has achieved a great deal. All of the important business-development activities throughout the project have led to an updating of the company’s more commercially-focussed business plan recently – with a focus on outdoor water treatment. Coupled with great progress in communications/disseminations (with white-papers, podcasts, website and logo-rebranding, trade-show attendance), the project has been well and professionally managed.