eClean

Product technology summary

A bioreactor system capable of removing nitrates and other contaminant compounds from water sources. Such compounds include nitrites, phosphorus, potassium, ammonia and sulphur.

The bioreactor involves three core components that work together to form a complete water cleaning and monitoring system.

Component one

The engineered microbiome – a novel and highly tuned composition of microbial organisms working synergistically to break down and remove water contaminants. The microorganisms utilise the nutrients as feedstock and convert them into a usable, non-toxic form that can be recycled back into the environment.

The technology has been researched and developed over more than ten years to understand the optimal conditions and parameters required for a continuously active biome capable of contaminant removal. The function of the microbiome has been proven in the lab and is now ready to be incorporated into a prototype bioreactor for 12-week performance trials in the lab.

The testing to-date has proven that the biome can run for at least two years continuously and it can re-seed itself from the mother film. Testing so far has shown biome adaptation to the local environment, building the necessary colony to accommodate the local conditions. Further testing is required to understand the variability in performance as a result of adaptation.

Component two

The microbiome is pumped into a specially designed bioreactor which houses submersible pump, bubblers and aerators to maintain water flow across the microbial surface and allow continuous contaminant removal. The designs of the physical and mechanical components of the bioreactor have been finalised and a manufacturer has been identified to produce full-scale prototypes for lab and on-site testing. There are two designs at present:

At present, testing has proved that the equipment can process a minimum of 100,000litres per day and it takes five times through the chamber to get the water fully ‘clean’.

Component three

A sensor and accompanying IOT hardware  has been developed to incorporate into the bioreactor to capture and report on key metrics. The data will be available to the user via a mobile app, to enable real-time monitoring of nutrient levels, nitrogen losses, equipment status and cost tracking. This data capture will also enable the venture’s service partners to be notified of servicing requirements.

Initial customer validation and feedback identified that the technology would be best suited to point source drains on farms, or in narrow sections of waterways, where the water can be more effectively.