Aquatec-Maxcon
Energy recovery sewage treatment technology
QSEIF funding: $153,000
Project dates: 2002
Project details
Aquatec-Maxcon aimed to develop and demonstrate Energy Recovery Sewage Treatment Technology which would enable a sewage treatment plant to generate all of its energy needs.
The technology
Aquatec-Maxcon constructed a small pilot plant which could treat up to 480 litres of raw sewage per day.
This plant used a novel anaerobic reactor as the primary method of waste treatment, rather than as an adjunct to conventional aerobic treatment processes. It was thought this process would create enough biogas (a mixture of methane and carbon dioxide) to provide the sewage treatment system’s entire energy requirements.
Project update
After completing two trial periods, it was revealed that much of the methane remained dissolved in the influent. Regardless, the project confirmed that, with further technological developments, it is feasible to construct a sewage treatment plant that would generate all of its energy requirements.
Although the project did not reach commercialisation stage, Aquatec-Maxcon is using some of the learnings and technology gained from the Energy Recovery Sewage Treatment Technology for current projects.
Please consult the Fact Sheet (PDF, 251K)* for information regarding this project.
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Last reviewed 27 March 2012
Last updated 5 April 2011