Articles tagged with "wastewater-treatment"
Wastewater plants emit twice the greenhouse gases, US study finds
A recent Princeton-led study reveals that wastewater treatment plants in the U.S. emit significantly more greenhouse gases—methane and nitrous oxide—than previously estimated by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The researchers found that these facilities produce 2.4 times more methane and 1.9 times more nitrous oxide than EPA calculations, accounting for approximately 2.5% of U.S. methane and 8.1% of nitrous oxide emissions. Given that these gases have contributed to about 22% of global warming since 1850, the study highlights wastewater plants as a more substantial source of climate pollution than recognized. The research team conducted extensive field measurements over 14 months using a mobile lab equipped with advanced sensors, visiting 96 plants that process about 9% of U.S. wastewater. Their findings showed emissions vary widely with environmental conditions such as temperature and rainfall, and that most emissions come from a relatively small number of plants. This suggests targeted interventions could effectively reduce emissions without
energygreenhouse-gas-emissionswastewater-treatmentmethanenitrous-oxideenvironmental-impactpollution-monitoringScientists use light to clean wastewater with ceramic foam formula
Researchers at Fraunhofer IKTS in Dresden have developed innovative UV-activated ceramic foam materials designed to purify industrial process water and wastewater by breaking down persistent pollutants such as pharmaceuticals, pesticides, industrial chemicals, microplastics, dyes, and PFAS. These multifunctional foam ceramics use photocatalytic oxidation, where UV light exposure generates reactive radicals on the foam’s functionalized surfaces that decompose organic impurities without producing harmful by-products or requiring additional oxidizing agents like ozone. The foam’s highly porous structure (up to 90% open porosity) provides extensive surface area for catalyst coatings and excellent light penetration, enabling efficient pollutant degradation even with thin catalyst layers that are stabilized to prevent washout. Fraunhofer IKTS is actively developing complete wastewater treatment systems incorporating these ceramic foams, optimized reactor designs, and energy-efficient UV LEDs tailored to client needs across industries including pharmaceuticals, semiconductors, paper, dairy, and textiles. By enabling on-site treatment, the technology prevents harmful substances from
materialsenergywastewater-treatmentphotocatalysisceramic-foamUV-lightenvironmental-technologyBen And Jerry's New Wastewater Plant Works A Lot Like The Human Body - CleanTechnica
Ben and Jerry’s ice cream factory in Vermont has implemented an innovative wastewater treatment system that mimics the human digestive process to manage its organic waste. Recognizing that ice cream production generates intense dairy waste unsuitable for conventional wastewater facilities—and that Vermont law prohibits sending organic waste to landfills—the company partnered with PurposeEnergy to develop an anaerobic digester system. This “constructed gut” processes high-strength organic waste and out-of-spec food products by harnessing microbial activity to convert the waste into methane gas, which is then captured and used to generate renewable electricity. The anaerobic digester, operational since December 2024, receives waste directly from Ben and Jerry’s production lines via a dedicated pipeline. It produces over one megawatt of electricity, enough to power approximately 1,300 Vermont homes, while also treating the residual water to remove particulates. This system exemplifies Ben and Jerry’s broader commitment to reducing environmental impacts across water, solid waste, energy, and CO2 emissions, aligning with their
energyrenewable-energywastewater-treatmentorganic-waste-managementmethane-reductionsustainable-manufacturingclean-energyNew tech blocks 98% harmful kitchen fats from clogging sewers
Researchers at RMIT University in Australia have developed an innovative wastewater treatment system that removes up to 98% of fats, oils, and grease (FOG) from commercial kitchen wastewater, significantly outperforming traditional grease traps that typically capture only about 40%. The new design incorporates baffles inside a grease interceptor to slow the flow and separate larger fat particles, combined with a small dose of alum to clump smaller, suspended fats for easier removal. This approach effectively targets all fat types, including hard-to-remove emulsified fats, and has proven successful under real-world conditions such as high temperatures and detergent-heavy wastewater. The technology offers a scalable and cost-effective solution that can be retrofitted to existing grease management systems, aiming to prevent fatbergs—solid masses of FOG that clog sewers and cause costly maintenance and environmental issues. Beyond infrastructure benefits, the system helps reduce sewage spills that pollute streets and waterways. The research team, led by Drs. Biplob Pramanik and Nil
energywastewater-treatmentgrease-interceptorfatberg-preventionchemical-treatmentwater-utilitiesenvironmental-technologySolar reactor turns human urine into fertilizer, boosts energy 60%
A Stanford-led research team has developed a solar-powered system that converts human urine into ammonium sulfate fertilizer, offering a sustainable solution for sanitation, agriculture, and energy generation in resource-limited regions. The system uses electrochemical chambers powered by solar energy to separate ammonia from urine, which is then captured as fertilizer. By integrating waste heat from solar panels through copper tubing, the process not only accelerates ammonia recovery by over 20% but also boosts solar panel energy efficiency by nearly 60%, while preventing overheating. This innovation enables fertilizer production directly where it is needed without relying on power grids or carbon-intensive industrial facilities, addressing the high costs and environmental impacts of traditional nitrogen fertilizer production. Beyond fertilizer creation, the technology improves wastewater safety by removing nitrogen, reducing environmental contamination and enabling safer reuse for irrigation—critical in low- and middle-income countries where over 80% of wastewater goes untreated. The system’s scalability and clean energy use make it a promising approach to simultaneously tackle water, food, and energy challenges
energysolar-powerfertilizer-productionsustainable-agriculturewastewater-treatmentnitrogen-recoveryrenewable-energyNew green hydrogen tech makes clean fuel directly from wastewater
Researchers from RMIT University, in collaboration with the University of Melbourne, Australian Synchrotron, and the University of New South Wales, have developed an innovative technology that produces green hydrogen fuel directly from wastewater without requiring purified water. This method leverages metals naturally present in wastewater—such as platinum, chromium, and nickel—as catalysts to enhance the electrochemical water-splitting process. Special electrodes made from carbon derived from agricultural waste absorb these metals, forming stable catalysts that accelerate hydrogen production while simultaneously generating oxygen. This oxygen can be reintegrated into wastewater treatment plants to improve their efficiency, thereby addressing both clean energy production and water pollution. In laboratory tests, the system operated continuously for 18 days with minimal performance decline, using partially treated wastewater representative of real-world conditions. The technology offers a sustainable and cost-effective solution by transforming wastewater, a global environmental pollutant, into a valuable resource for clean fuel generation. The research team emphasizes the dual benefits of reducing pollution and alleviating water scarcity, particularly
green-hydrogenclean-energywastewater-treatmentsustainable-fuelelectrochemical-catalysisrenewable-energycarbon-electrodesUS wastewater plant gets 240-kW solar canopy, cuts power use by 30%
A new 240-kilowatt solar photovoltaic canopy has been installed at the Pendleton Wastewater Treatment and Resource Recovery Facility (WWTRRF) in Oregon, marking a significant advancement in the city’s efforts to enhance energy resilience and sustainability. The solar canopy is expected to generate approximately 325,000 kWh of electricity annually, offsetting around 30% of the facility’s total energy consumption and reducing operational costs. Beyond energy production, the canopy shades the facility’s chlorine contact chamber, which helps improve water quality, lower effluent temperatures, and support a healthier aquatic ecosystem. The project, delivered through an Energy Savings Performance Contract (ESPC) with Ameresco, a Massachusetts-based energy solutions provider, represents a milestone in infrastructure improvement for Pendleton. It was funded through a combination of state grants, utility incentives, and city resources. City officials and Ameresco emphasized the canopy’s role in promoting economic benefits, operational efficiency, and environmental health. Future plans include adding a battery energy storage system (
energysolar-powerwastewater-treatmentrenewable-energyenergy-efficiencyinfrastructuresustainabilityMagnetic fields supercharge catalysts for cleaner water and cheaper ammonia
energymaterialscatalystsammonia-productionwastewater-treatmentmagnetic-fieldselectrochemistrySYNCRAFT Wins Energy Globe Award For Breakthrough In Activated Carbon Usage
energyactivated-carbonwastewater-treatmentsustainable-technologyenvironmental-innovationbiomass-powerclean-energyHồ nước thải có thể cung cấp 40 tấn đất hiếm mỗi năm
rare-earth-elementswastewater-treatmentmining-technologysustainable-resourcesenvironmental-sciencechemical-engineeringresource-extractionHồ nước thải có thể cung cấp 40 triệu tấn đất hiếm mỗi năm
rare-earth-elementswastewater-treatmentmining-technologyenvironmental-sustainabilityresource-extractionchemical-engineeringacid-mine-drainage