Grant: Idea to Innovation

The commercial device is a submerged membrane electro-bioreactor (SMEBR), which allow customers to remove impurities from raw wastewater in sole compacted unit. This devise developed at Concordia University is a promising technology since it is capable to remove impurities from raw wastewater to the level that effluents show the pristine water quality. All inventors have assigned their rights to their institutions (e.g. Valorbec, IP holding of Concordia and managed by Aligo).The technology was accepted for its commercialisation and implemented a commercialisation strategy in order to bring the proposed technology to the market. Subsequently, Aligo filed a provisional patent application in the US (61/596,471 on February 8, 2012) which was then converted into a PCT (CA2013/000113 on February 8, 2013). These patent filings will allow the inventors and Aligo to develop and commercialize the technology both in North America and in Europe. The electro-bioreactor has competitive advantages since :i) does not require any primary treatment; ii) single reactor set-up, several can be used simultaneously in parallel depending upon need; iii) used as a mobile unit; iv) highest ever efficiency for removal of several pollutants; v) reduces membrane fouling; vi) improves sludge dewatering; vii) has a small footprint; viii) performs multiple decontamination in one unit; ix) adjusted to continuous or batch process; x) can be automatically controlled though wireless system. The system has been already tested at laboratory scale and small open pilot facilities. The support from I2I is needed to build a closed prototype exposed to the fluctuation of real raw wastewater and temperature in the City of l'Assomption. Furthermore, the response of the system to septage from septic tanks will be assessed. Such system can be substitute septic tanks, installed in remote locations, can be also applied to buildings with recycling gray or pristine water, etc. Having in mind such applications, an optimisation of the prototype is required. The control includes: the quality of effluent, gas/odor emissions, energy consumption and automatisation in variable real conditions. The prototype will be located an enclosure simulating its application for Canadian remote locations. It is expected that this project will demonstrated possibility of treating raw wastewater and recovering of pristine (even drinking water) in a compacted operation unit. It will permit to collect data with respect to adequate electrical operation conditions, life span of its components, greenhouse gas and odor sequestration methods, level of maintenance, level of water recovery. Location of the system in natural conditions will also help in commercialization of such devise among local enterprises.