Objective
Scientific objectives and approach:
The R&D programme for zeoReactor project has got 7 Work Packages (A - H) each resulting in key deliverables:
The "Specification" workpackage (A) provides the users' demands and requirements to be accounted for in the design of the system (B) and the System integration (C). The "Component Development" workpackage (B) provides the approved components of the system, like modified zeolithes, CFD simulated reactor model, control unit and adapted PSA-unit. The "System Integration" workpackage (C) provides ZeoReactor prototype for the use in the partner SMEs process chains, with the selected measurement procedure and reference and standard data implemented into its hard- and software. In the "Lab tests" workpackage (D) the prototype are tested on lab scale to develop an improved and tested prototype. In the "Field tests" workpackage (E) the prototypes are installed and operated in the user SMEs' production lines. The aim is to adapt and optimise the system according to each users' requirements, and to evaluate and assess its functionality under the rough production conditions. In the "Upgrade" workpackage (F) an upgrade kit for existing waste water treatment plants is developed. In the workpackage "Evaluation" (G) provides a tested and upgraded ZeoReactor system. Finally an adapted and optimised demonstration prototype equipped with a Technical Manual, and a marketing strategy is provided.
Problems to be solved:
The aim of the Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (UWWT Directive 91/271/EEC) is that by the year 2005 almost all agglomerations in the EU above 2 000 population equivalent (p.e.) should be provided with collecting systems and waste water treatment plants. Taking into account the fact that many small municipalities do not yet have sewage plants, it can be estimated that around 40 000 plants will need to be built or renewed by the end of 2005 in order to meet the new European water pollution limit values. Furthermore, the European Court has estimated that almost 30 % of the plants built before 1992 ought to be upgraded.
The increase in the number of sewage plants has a significant impact on the generation of sludge. According to a Commission survey in 1994, 6.5 million tons of sludge are produced each year in the EU. Around 40% of the sludge produced in the EU comes from 1.3% of the sewage plants, from urban centres with more than 100.000 p.e. The European Commission expects an increase of 50-60% in the sludge generated over the next 10 years. Referring to the Programme "Energy, Environment and Sustainable Development", the zeoReactor project will contribute to the EU's aim to develop technologies for improved waste water treatment through process optimisation and to minimise environmental impacts from waste water treatment with a focus on compact, environmentally friendly and cost-effective treatment technologies and a reduction of bio-solids and sludge.
Expected Impacts:
During the project ZeoReactor a technology for upgrading existing small, medium and large-scale sewage treatment plants by means of natural zeolites and oxygen enriched aeration will be developed. The system to be developed will be an efficient and cost-effective small-scale treatment plants based on the zeoReactor concept. This system will enable the user to reduce the investment costs for nitrogen and phosphorus elimination by at least 50 % compared to traditional solutions. Moreover the degradation efficiency especially for nitrogen and phosphorus compounds in the wastewater will be increased up to 70%. The user can expected a reduction of generated sludge by at least 40%. Above all, the manufacture of the ZeoReactor system will lead to increased employment.
Fields of science
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques.
- natural sciencescomputer and information sciencessoftware
- engineering and technologyenvironmental engineeringwater treatment processeswastewater treatment processes
- natural scienceschemical sciencesinorganic chemistryinorganic compounds
- natural sciencesearth and related environmental sciencesenvironmental sciencespollution
- social scienceseconomics and businessbusiness and managementemployment
Call for proposal
Data not availableFunding Scheme
CRS - Cooperative research contractsCoordinator
76135 KARLSRUHE
Germany