Waste needs to be treated. So, why not do it as efficiently as possible using alternative energy sources. Today’s engineers consider all of the possibilities for powering the treatment of waste streams. …
… “The engineers also are looking into putting two-hundred-thousand square-feet of solar panels on the roof at one treatment plant. And a wind turbine at another.” …
Via Texas A&M: Engineering Waste Treatment.
Dynamic Solar installs 250kW solar system for the Philadelphia Water Department at its local pollution control facility. …
… “Dynamic Solar teamed with CETCO Contracting Services and Nucero Electric to design, engineer and install the 250kW ground mounted system.
The array is located at the Southeast Water Pollution Control Plant and is expected to generate approximately 330,000 kilowatt hours of solar electricity per year.” …
Via Dynamic Solar: Philadelphia's Largest Solar System.
Philadelphia wastewater treatment (Link).
Dow has products for many part of the green economy ... from solar cells to batteries for electric cars to materials for solar cells.
"Dow ... has embarked upon a multi-pronged strategy to capitalize on the demand for renewable energy and low-carbon alternatives to conventional products. ... "
" ... Dow's secret [is] ... Material science, i.e. membranes, coatings and other difficult-to-manufacture items that require a lot of chemical know-how. ... will have a huge impact on ... core green markets ..."
" ... Dow Corning ... brought a silicone sealant originally devised for outer space solar panels to the conventional solar panel market ... Dow signed a multimillion dollar, multi-year research alliance with Caltech to develop next generation solar technologies. ..."
" ... will sell copper indium gallium selenide (CIGS) solar roofing tiles. Initial customers for the tiles, developed in conjunction with Global Solar, include mass market home builders Lennar and Pulte Homes."
" ... is sponsoring Electric Avenue, the electric car hall at the North American International Auto Show .... Dow Kokam, a joint venture, will also discuss batteries for electric cars at the show."
" ... wants a larger part of the water purification and desalination market, buying Rohm & Haas to help it expand ..."
Via: Greentechmedia LINK
Oberlin College's Living Machine® is a waste water treatment system that teaches students how nature purified water for years ... but is unlike most modern systems.
" ... treats wastewater using a system of engineered ecologies that include microbes, plants, snails and insects, and is designed to treat up to 2,000 gallons of ... wastewater daily in a beautiful, garden-like atmosphere. ... Upon completion of a water- pressurization system, the treated wastewater will be recycled back through the building for non-potable re-use."
"Invented by Dr. John Todd, of Living Machines, Inc. ... Wastewater flows from the building into two underground reactors ... an anaerobic biological process begins digestion of the wastes. ... wastewater flows through two closed aerobic reactors ... where the remaining organic compounds are further degraded. ...[then] ... enters the Living Machine® solarium and flows through three open aerobic reactors. ... plants such as papyrus, calla lilies and willows root into the planted aerobic reactors and assist in the treatment process."
" ... biosolids are settled out of the wastewater in a clarifier. ... then flows through a constructed wetland surrounding the open aerobic tanks for final ‘polishing.’ Ultraviolet disinfection is the final step prior to the treated wastewater being reused in the buildings’ toilets."