T.L.G. (Tim) Hendrickx: “Aquatic worm reactor for improved sludge processing and resource recovery"

  News
  Newsroom
  Archive
  Calendar
  2012
  2011
  2010
  2009
  2008
  2007
  2006
  2005
  2004
  2003
  2002
  2001
  2000
  1999
  News
  RSS
  Calendar
  Open days
  Courses
  Congresses and symposia
  PhD-graduations and speeches

16 Jun 2009 13:30
Unit: Wageningen University
Location: Aula, building 362, Gen. Foulkesweg 1, Wageningen
Organisation: Wageningen University
Promotor: prof.dr.ir. C.J.N. Buisman (Biological Recycling Technology)
Co Promotor: Dr.ir. B.G. Temmink

 Aquatic worms can be used for improved processing of waste sludge and recovery of resources. The waste sludge is produced in biological waste water treatment. In the Netherlands, this sludge is mostly thickened, dried and incinerated. These are costly operations in which only some energy is recovered. Recently, an aquatic worm (Lumbriculus variegatus) was found, which consumes the sludge, grows on it and compacts the non-digested sludge into worm faeces. In a new reactor concept the worms are placed in a mesh, thereby retaining them in the reactor and allowing for separate collection of the compact worm faeces. The latter results in much more efficient processing of the remaining solids, i.e. the worm faeces. Additionally, worm biomass is produced that contains a high protein fraction, offering opportunities for re-use. The thesis describes the scale up of such a worm reactor and the impact it will have on sludge processing.
Title thesis: “Aquatic worm reactor for improved sludge processing and resource recovery’
Print this activity