Project Leaders: Dr. Maite Pijuan(UQ), Dr. Diane McDougald (UNSW)

Project Advisors: Prof. Linda Blackall, Prof. Jürg Keller, Assistant Prof. Zhiguo Yuan(UQ)

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

PhD Students: Mr. Tom Seviour, Mr. Jeremy Barr(UQ)

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. The technology is based on fundamental knowledge of wastewater managemnt 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.

Project Leader: Associate Prof. Zhiguo Yuan (UQ)

Project Advisors: Prof. Linda Blackall and Prof. Jürg Keller (UQ), Dr. Ralf Cord-Ruswich (Murdoch)

Researchers: Dr. Maite Pijuan Vilalta, Dr. Phil Bond; Dr. Ursula Werner; (UQ)

PhD Students: Mr. Luke Burow, Mr. Romain Lemaire, Ms. Crystal Zhou (UQ)

Linkages: UNSW, Murdoch University, The University of Queensland, Meat and Livestock Australia (MLA), Ecowise Environmental

EBCRC researchers have achieved reliable and effective biological phosphorus and nitrogen removal from high strength wastewater.

The project seeks to optimise wastewater treatment systems at a fundamental level by manipulating the microbial composition and properties of waste. A pilot plant demonstration has commence in late 2006.

The technology will enable wastewater producers to meet nutrient discharge standards with considerably lower costs through enhanced reliability and efficiency. Biological treatment is by far the cheapest and most environmentally friendly way of removing nutrients from wastewaters.

Project Leader: Dr. Martin Kumar (SARDI)

Project Advisors: Dr. Ralf Cord-Ruswich, Prof. Goen Ho (Murdoch), Prof. Jürg Keller (UQ)

Researchers: Dr. Bennan Chen; Dr. Phil Glaz; Dr. Chris Williams (SARDI) Dr. Paul Harris; Dr. David Lewis (University of Adelaide) Dr. Lucy Skillman (Murdoch)

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

Linkages: SARDI, The University of Queensland, Murdoch University, Meat and Livestock Australia.

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. The technology 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. Ralf Cord-Ruwich (Murdoch)

Researcher: Dr. Wipa Charles (Murdoch)

PhD Student: Mr. Lee Walker (Murdoch)

Linkages: Murdoch University, AnaeCo Ltd

AnaeCo has invented a composting process called DiCOM® which is a novel method for treating the organic part of municipal solid waste. It combines aerobic composting and anaerobic digestion of solid wastes in a single closed vessel. The end products are biogas and a stabilised compost material that can be used in agricultural applications.

EBCRC is working towards recovering value from organic municipal waste through biotechnology by carrying out fundamental research on the microbial ecology over the three phases of the DiCOM® process.

The outcomes of the project are a solid waste treatment process that minimises the environmental impacts and optimises the production of useful products. as well as computer model to help in process control, problem solving and optimisation of the process.

A commercial-scale demonstration plant, established in early 2007, will be able to treat 20,000 tonnes of municipal solid waste per year is in the final planning stages. This will lead to the development of a fully commercial plant with an annual processing capacity up to 60,000 tonnes of waste.

Project Leader: Dr. Mike Manefield (UNSW)

Project Advisors: Prof. Staffan Kjelleberg, Prof. Linda Blackall, Prof. Peter Bergquist and A/Prof. Peter Steinberg, Dr. Ralf Cord-Ruwisch.

Researchers: Dr. Bill Clarke (UQ)

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

Linkages: Orica Australia, Macquarie University, Murdoch University, The University of Queensland, 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 Advisors: Prof. Jürg Keller

Researchers: Dr. Phil Bond

Linkages: The University of Queensland, Queensland Government

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.