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EU market research for an innovative algae based tertiary wastewater treatment system

Objective

Industrial Phycology (I-PHYC) has developed a wastewater treatment (WWT) process that can meet increasingly stricter discharge consents for the concentration of nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) in wastewater (WW) effluents. Elevated levels of N & P are linked to detrimental environmental events e.g. eutrophication. WWT operators require a treatment process that is able to remove nutrients in an energy efficient manner which current technology cannot meet.
I-PHYC’s novel patented treatment process uses microalgae (MA) to remove nutrients from WW effluents. MA reproduce rapidly when sufficient nutrients, light and CO2 are supplied. The MA consume the nutrients of the WW until exhausted producing a clean effluent that meets new EU consents and allows the operator to meet its statutory commitments while avoiding financial penalties. The biomass is retained for reactor seeding or harvested for valorisation e.g. anaerobic digestion of biomass to produce electricity. I-PHYC has estimated that valorisation will offer a payback period on CAPEX of 2.5-3 years, with significantly reduced OPEX.
The process has been validated by I-PHYC in a recent field trial (late 2013) at Avonmouth WWT, UK. The field trial was based on a 1 m3 system which replicated all the functions of a commercial scale system. Results from the trial demonstrated a reduction in the tertiary treatment effluent concentration of P and ammonia by >70% and COD by>30%. Currently, I-PHYC is trialling a 20 m3 system onsite at a municipal WWT works with our strategic partner ‘Wessex Water’.
I-PHYC is applying for funds to undertake a market study to determine the best approach for entering the EU market for P removal in WW effluent by: marketing the solution to the various firms in the EU operating under different local regulations; determining market size, growth trends and competition; and how to price its innovation. This funding will help I-PHYC to develop the strategy required to bridge the market adoption gap

Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)

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Programme(s)

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Topic(s)

Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.

Funding Scheme

Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.

SME-1 - SME instrument phase 1

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Call for proposal

Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.

(opens in new window) H2020-SMEInst-2014-2015

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Coordinator

INDUSTRIAL PHYCOLOGY LIMITED
Net EU contribution

Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.

€ 50 000,00
Address
LENNOX HOUSE 3 PEIRREPONT STREET
BA1 1LB BATH
United Kingdom

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SME

The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.

Yes
Region
South West (England) Gloucestershire, Wiltshire and Bristol/Bath area Bath and North East Somerset, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire
Activity type
Private for-profit entities (excluding Higher or Secondary Education Establishments)
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Total cost

The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.

€ 71 429,00
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