Project Leaders: Dr Maite Pijuan (UQ), Dr. Diane McDougald (UNSW), Dr Phil Bond (UQ), Dr Andrew Cook (UQ)

Project Advisors: Prof. Jürg Keller, Assistant Prof. Zhiguo Yuan (UQ), Prof Staffan Kjelleberg (UNSW)

Researchers: Dr Ursula Werner (UQ), Dr. Mike Manefield, Dr. Scott Rice (UNSW)

PhD Students: Mr Tom Seviour, Mr. Jeremy Barr (UQ), Ms Nidhi Sodhi (UNSW), Ms. Marieska Verawaty

Linkages: University of New South Wales, The University of Queensland, City West Water, Waste Technologies Australia, Water Corporation

This project will develop a reliable technology for an aerobic granular sludge rector based on fundamental knowledge of wastewater management and biofilms.

The rapid and efficient development of a granulation process offers significant commercial opportunities as aerobic granules have excellent settling properties, a compact microbial structure, high biomass retention qualities and the ability to withstand shock and toxic loadings. The higher biomass in granular sludge implies that containment transformation is rapid and large volumes of waste can be treated in compact bioreactors.

The cost of running a wastewater treatment plant working with aerobic granular sludge can be reduced by at least 20% and space requirements can be reduced by as much as 75%.

The findings of this project will allow the establishment of a standard procedure for an aerobic granular sludge reactor and will increase the robustness of the technology.

Researchers: Dr Anwar Sunna (Macquarie), Dr Lucy Skillman, Dr Wipa Charles (Murdoch)

PhD Student: Mr Sebastian von Eckstaedt (Murdoch)

Linkages: Macquarie University, Murdoch University, Southern Metropolitan Regional Council, Water Corporation (WA), Odour Control Systems, Zeolite Australia

The uses enzyme systems or cells which will degrade the specific odour molecules of concern by using advanced techniques for both absorption and degradation. The reserach benefits EBCRC's core participants and the technology has the potential to be broady applicable to many industries.

Researchers: Dr. Phil Glaz, Dr Andrew Ward, Dr Babu Sabthanam (SARDI), Dr David Lewis, Dr Paul Harris (University of Adelaide), Dr Lucy Skillman (Murdoch)

PhD Students: Ms. Otti Bajsa, Lily Ho (Murdoch), Mr Khalid Shamim (University of Adelaide)

Together with its participants, EBCRC has been developing an integrated farming and waste recycling system that reduces pollution and enchances the efficiency of waste treatment systems through integrated aqaculture production.

An increase in livestock production worldwide has lead to generation of large amounts of organic waste resulting in water and land pollution. Biosystems utilising micro algae and zooplankton have been investigated because of their low energy requirement and their ability to strip nutrients and generate valuable biomass for application in aquaculture and biodiesel production.

The technology is currently demonstrated using organic waste streams from piggeries and abattoirs processing red meat. It has clear advantages in cost and environmental benefit compared to competeing technologies. It can be applied to any industries discharging non-toxic organic wastes that are rich in mutrient ammonia, nitrate and phosphate.

The findings of this project will allow the establishment of a standard procedure for an aerobic granular sludge reactor and will increase the robustness of the technology.

Project Leader: Dr. Mike Manefield (UNSW)

Project Advisors: Prof. Staffan Kjelleberg, Prof. Peter Bergquist Dr. Ralf Cord-Ruwisch.

Researchers: Dr. Matt Lee (UNSW)

PhD Students: Mr. Donny James (MU), Ms. Vibeke Aargaard (UNSW)

Linkages: Orica Australia, Macquarie University, Murdoch University, The University of New South Wales

EBCRC employs ground-breaking approaches to identify organisms and processes that can be applied to the in-situ (on-site) bioremediation of chlorinated hydrocarbon contaminated sites and the ex-situ treatment of stockpiled wastes.

Bioremediation exploits the natural abilities of micro-organisms to degrade pollutants. Advances in microbiology have enabled a more targeted approach to bioremediation. With a firm understanding of microbial physiology and ecology, researchers can identify and address the environmental factors that limit the biological degradation of specific pollutants at a contaminated site.

The project also utilises polymer chemistry expertise to investigate novel bio-friendly methods for delivering nutrients and organisms into the environment.

Through interactions with industry, government and the community, the project has developed an intimate understanding of what is required for the successful deployment of bioremediation technologies.

Project Leader: Dr. Damien Batstone (UQ)

Project Advisor: Prof. Jürg Keller

Researcher: Dr. Paul Jensen

Linkages: The University of Queensland, Queensland Government, Meat and Livestock Australia

This project will produce safe, easy to handle organic fertiliser from sewage and food processing biosolids, while producing excess electricity. Such technology is currently available at large scales but becomes very expensive at smaller scale. . The project will make the same environmental and financial benefits available at smaller scale – down to communities of 10,000 persons. It includes a laboratory component, which will optimise operational parameters for biosolids pretreatment, as well as a pilot scale demonstration system, that will produce 50 kW of electricity – enough to power 40 Australian homes.