[June 27, 2006] New technology water purification created Tweet (UPI Science News Via Thomson Dialog NewsEdge) Dutch scientists say they've developed a technology that could drastically change the water purification within a few years. Delft University of Technology researchers, in partnership with DHV Engineering, have developed a compact and environmentally friendly purification method, in which aerobic bacteria form granules that sink quickly. With the new aerobic granular sludge technology, aerobic bacterial granules are formed in the water that is to be purified. The great advantage of the granules is that they sink quickly and that all the required biological purifying processes occur within the granules. Delft scientists say the technology offers important advantages when compared with conventional water purification processes. For example, all the processes can occur in one reactor and there is no need to use large re-sinking tanks, such as those used for conventional purification. The new technology purification system needs only a quarter of the space required by conventional installations and uses 30 percent less energy. The aerobic granular sludge technology, now in its commercialization phase, has been nominated for the Dutch Process Innovation Award of 2006. [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]