Nanobubbles for aeration and wastewater treatment

Challenge:

Wastewater is currently treated using aerated tanks where COD, N and P are biologically removed. Aeration accounts for up to 50% of the total power consumption of a wastewater treatment plant and is therefore a costly item. At the same time, the fluctuating load at the treatment plant can make aeration difficult, which impairs N and P removal. Therefore, new methods of wastewater treatment are needed that are more energy efficient and can reduce the climate impact of wastewater treatment plants without major costs.

Solution:

TechRas Nano has developed a method to purify wastewater using nanobubbles. By delivering oxygen much more efficiently and directly to areas in the tank (e.g. the bottom), the technology can help treat wastewater using less energy while increasing the capacity of wastewater treatment plants.

Through the knowledge bridge project, methods will be developed to document the nanobubble technology and test it on a pilot scale at a wastewater treatment plant.

Impact:

It is expected that the implementation of the nanobubble technology can reduce energy consumption by approximately 75%, halve nitrous oxide emissions and improve wastewater treatment. By using nanobubbles, oxygen can be dosed more precisely and in higher concentrations, improving the capacity of existing plants without increasing costs. Today, the technology is used at nurseries and fish farms.