ENHANCING WASTEWATER TREATMENT PROCESSES BY CREATING AN INNOVATIVE TURNKEY SOLUTION FOR MARITIME TRANSPORTATION INDUSTRY

Project Information

WAIT IT

Grant agreement ID: 868978

DOI

10.3030/868978

Project closed

EC signature date 17 April 2019

Start date 1 May 2019

End date 31 October 2019

Funded under

• INDUSTRIAL LEADERSHIP - Innovation In SMEs

Total cost

€ 71 429,00

EU contribution

€ 50 000,00

Coordinated by

PROTECTPIPE OY
Finland

Periodic Reporting for period 1 - WAIT IT (ENHANCING WASTEWATER TREATMENT PROCESSES BY CREATING AN INNOVATIVE TURNKEY SOLUTION FOR MARITIME TRANSPORTATION INDUSTRY)

Reporting period: 2019-05-01 to 2019-10-31

Summary of the context and overall objectives of the project

Cruise ships around the world struggle to win their wastewater problems. Wastewater systems are under heavy organic matter load, which results in blockages, corrosion, high hydrogen sulfide levels, and insect and odor problems, leading to extra costs and customer dissatisfaction. None of the old or current solutions have succeeded in keeping ships' pipes in function efficiently, safely and environmentally friendly. Thus, our goal has been to develop a microbial turnkey solution for the maritime industry to remove their wastewater problems. Our bacterial solution removes organic waste from the sewer effectively and safely, without damaging the pipes or the environment. Our objectives were to clear our understanding of our customers' needs, to validate and make technical improvements to our solution and to create an international business plan.

Work performed from the beginning of the project to the end of the period covered by the report and main results achieved so far

Questionnaires were conducted with the staff of several cruise ships to gain information about the problems. To validate our solution, we made scientific research to get data on the functionality of the product. We also interviewed the crew and filmed the pipes to find out how our solution works onboard. We made technical developments to the solution and tested it in pilot projects. Finally, we created a business plan that will help us to reach the global market.

The interviews revealed that ships urgently need an efficient, easy-to-use solution that removes organic waste and uric scale from the wastewater system. The research results proved that our solution efficiently decomposes organic matter under laboratory conditions. Interviews, measurements, and films showed that the product worked also well onboard. The solution effectively solved the revealed problems.

We were able to develop our solution to make it more customer-friendly, cost-effective and easy to use. We managed to develop a turnkey solution for our customers, which will provide a comprehensive way to remove the wastewater problems. Due to the good results and the profitability, we will continue the project by expanding our business according to our international business plan.

Progress beyond the state of the art and expected potential impact (including the socio-economic impact and the wider societal implications of the project so far)

Our solution will reduce blockages, odors, use of acids, corrosion of pipes, high hydrogen sulfide values and insect problems. This will lead to lower direct and indirect costs associated with wastewater systems and to improved environmental and occupational safety. Solving the wastewater problems enhance the customer experience and bring significant revenue to the ship companies.

pp-logo-icon.jpg