Programma September 8
Klik op de namen en titels voor meer informatie
| 9.30 | Registration | |
| 10.00 |
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Prof.dr.ir Matthias Wessling |
| 11.30 |
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Ir. Lute Broens
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| 13.00 | Lunch | |
| 14.00 |
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Dr.ir. Maarten Nederlof
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| 15.30 |
|
Ir. Sjaak van Loo
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| 17.00 | Drinks |
Bio-electrochemical processes for the production of energy from wastewater
Stimulated by the depletion of fossil fuels and the threat of global warming, new technologies are being developed that can make future energy production more sustainable. In theory, large amounts of renewable energy can be produced from dissolved organic materials in wastewaters. Bio- electrochemical conversion processes provide new ways of utilizing this resource. Bio- electrochemical conversion processes are based on the application of electrochemically active micro- organisms, which convert dissolved organic material to bicarbonate, protons and electrons. Either by direct contact with an electrode surface or aided by (excreted) redox mediators, these micro- organisms release the produced electrons to an electrode surface so that an electrochemical half cell is established. This half cell is called the biological anode. By coupling this biological anode to an oxygen reducing cathode, a direct conversion of dissolved organic material in wastewater to electricity is accomplished. This electrochemical configuration is called a microbial fuel cell. The current generation of microbial fuel cells produce approximately 0.1 kW/ m 3 of reactor liquid volume. It is expected that future microbial fuel cells will produce over 1 kW/ m 3 of reactor liquid volume. Within Wetsus a new technology related to the microbial fuel cell has been developed, which is called biocatalysed electrolysis. This process is based on the same bio- electrochemical principles as the microbial fuel cell, but combines the biological anode with a proton reducing cathode by means of a power supply. In this way a direct conversion of dissolved organic material in wastewater to hydrogen (instead of electricity) is accomplished. The innovative design of biocatalyzed electrolysis makes a much wider variety of wastewaters than before suitable for hydrogen production. This makes biocatalysed electrolysis a revolutionary breakthrough technology in the field of biological hydrogen production from wastewaters. In theory, biocatalyzed electrolysis requires applied voltages that can be as low as 0.14 Volt (for acetate conversion), while hydrogen production by means of conventional water electrolysis, in practice, requires applied voltages well above 1.6 Volt. At an applied voltage of 0.5 Volt the biocatalyzed electrolysis setup currently used in our laboratories, produces approximately 0.02 m 3 H 2 /m 3 reactor liquid volume/ day from acetate at an overall efficiency of 53 ± 3.5%. Optimization of the process will allow volumetric hydrogen production rates above 10 m 3 H 2 /m 3 reactor liquid volume/ day at overall efficiencies exceeding 90% and applied voltages as low as 0.3 to 0.4 Volt.
Ir. René Rozendal, Wetsus
René Rozendal finished his MSc Degree in (bio) chemical engineering in 2003 at the Delft University of Technology, Delft, The Netherlands. After this he started a PhD study at the Wageningen University, Wageningen, the Netherlands. Within this study he investigates bioelectrochemical conversion processes. These processes apply special kinds of micro- organimsms that are electrochemically active and are able to convert biodegradable material in wastewaters to carbon dioxide, protons and electrons. When these electrons are transferred to an electrode, a biological anode is established which can be applied for driving bioelectrochemical conversion processes. At the moment two processes are investigated, the biological fuel cell (electricity from wastewater) and biocatalysed electrolysis (hydrogen from wastewater).
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Blue Energy: from concept to development to real life
Blue Energy utilizes the electric potential which arises when selective membranes separate electrolyte solutions of different concentrations. Electricity can be generated where a concentrated salt stream (like seawater) mixes with a diluted stream (like fresh water). This technology is known from literature and proven in the laboratory. Within WETSUS 3 PhD’s are working on this technology. Outside WETSUS several companies are working on the same subject. A lot of technology still has to be developped; a major item is the availability of low- cost membranes. Blue Energy systems can be situated wherever rivers flow into seas, but p. e. also at discharge points of brines from reverse osmosis plants. Apart from the development of the technology, also the sociological and ecological acceptance and implementation has to be addressed. REDSTACK B. V. is founded in 2005 as a spin- off company from WETSUS and does focus on development and marketing of the Blue Energy technology. 
Ir. Pieter Hack, Redstack
P. J. F. M. Hack (Pieter) (1959) was born in Sittard. After completion of gymnasium B he studied Environmental Biotechnology at the Agricultural University Wageningen and INSEAD (Fr). From 1984 until 1997 he joined Paques B. V. and fullfilled a variety of functions (Process Engineer, Technology Manager, Director, Investment Manager). From 1997 he is director of MAGNETO special anodes B. V. In 2005 he was a co- founder of REDSTACK BV and was appointed as director.
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Membrane technology for sustainable water
Membrane Bioreactors (MBRs) have become the new paradigm for wastewater treatment and reuse. The treated effluent from the MBR is better than tertiary- treated conventional effluent and is suitable for reuse or as feed to RO reclamation for high quality reuse. Nevertheless the MBR continues to evolve and presents a range of technical challenges which relate to the fouling characteristics of the feed and the energy required to control fouling. The purpose of this paper is to highlight strategies to improve MBR performance based on our research in the Temasek Professor programme in Membranes for Sustainable Water and at the UNESCO Centre for Membranes at UNSW. The approach has been to examine the effect of MBR design, membrane operating regime and the role of the microbiology on filtration performance. The specific studies described include, modifying the nature of the feed presented to the membranes, evaluating the benefits of intermittent suction, comparing module concepts and aeration regimes and evaluating the effect of biological operating parameters on extracellular polymeric substance production and fouling tendency. 
Prof.dr. Tony Fane, The University of New South Wales, Sydney and Nanyang Technological University, Singapore
Tony Fane is a Chemical Engineer with a PhD from Imperial College, London. He has been working on membranes since 1973 when he joined the University of New South Wales, in Sydney, Australia. He has specialized in membrane fouling and module design and operation. His current interests are in membranes applied to environmental applications and the water cycle. He has a growing interest in the sustainability aspects of membrane technology. He is currently Director of the UNESCO Centre for Membrane Science and Technology at UNSW in Sydney and Temasek Professor with a programme in Membrane Technology for Sustainable Water at Nanyang Technological University, Singapore. He is an Editor of the Journal of Membrane Science and on the Editorial Board of Desalination. He is a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering and received the Centenary Medal in 2002 for services to Chemical Engineering and the Environment.
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MBR, unlimited possibilities for water treatment
Membrane bioreactors have become quite popular in recent years for the treatment of wastewater. If we look at the basic principles of the membrane bioreactor, we see many similarities with living organisms: all kind of biochemical and membrane processes occur in living organisms. The following processes can be distinguished:
purification by the kidney: MBR for wastewater treatment
synthesis of products: MBR for production purposes
energy production: MBR as a microbiological fuel cell
Several examples of the above mentioned applications are presented. Examples of MBR application for wastewater treatment are on board of ships, on offshore locations, for industrial and domestic wastewater treatment. For synthesis of products, an example of an MBR for the production of detergents is presented. Finally, the bio fuel cell is presented as a source of energy production from wastewater. It can be concluded that there is still great potential for the development of MBR’s: with advances in the membranes (smart membranes) and advances in the biology (genetic engineering). For the future, MBR’s can play a main role in the growing trend of decentralization, with decentralized wastewater treatment, decentralized bio- based production facilities and decentralized energy production. 
Ir. Lex van Dijk, Triqua
Lex van Dijk (1964) is the managing director and owner of Triqua bv in Wageningen. Triqua is specialized in the development and realisation of innovative water treatment projects for industrial, offshore, maritime and domestic applications. Lex van Dijk graduated from Wageningen University in Environmental Technology. He started his career at the University, and then worked for an environmental services company and an engineering bureau. In 1996 he started Triqua, which currently employs 20 people.
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Membrane biofouling, more than a biofilm?
Biofouling is one of the main problems in the application of membranes in water treatment. Despite intensive research for several decades the problem is still not solved. The presentation therefore focusses on a discussion why biofouling has not been solved. This will be compared to similar problems in biofilm formation. Due to the complexity there is a clear need to study the individual mechanisms leading to fouling and use modern modelling concepts to integrate the obtained knowledge. Fouling can never be prevented in membrane systems. Therefore it is likely more effective to search to ways to exploit biofouling while optimising the systems. 
Prof.dr.ir. Mark van Loosdrecht, Technische Universiteit Delft
Mark van Loosdrecht was born in 1959. He studied environmental sciences at the Wageningen University. After graduation in 1985 a PhD thesis was prepared on microbial adhesion within the departments of Microbiology and Physical & Colloid Sciences in Wageningen. Since 1988 he has worked at the department of Biochemical Engineering of the Delft University of Technology. Currently he is Professor in Environmental Biotechnology with a research programme focussing on Biofilm processes, Microbial diversity, Innovative process design and Resource recovery.
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Biofouling, the last hurdle
In the presentation the audience will be lead after a short introduction of the speaker and Global Membrains to membrane technology. The different kind of membranes will be highlighted and the devellopment of the membrane market worldwide. Before focussing into biofilm- research, the most common problems occuring in the use of membranes in watertreatment will be presented shortly. Problems leading to quantity and/ or quality problems in production. In an overview, the importance of research all over the world on specificly biofilm formation will be clearly pointed out. The challenges in this research and their meaning to further implementation of membranes in the world are investigated. Resulting in the answer on the title question: Is biofilm the last hurdle? 
Ing. Koos Baas, Global Membrains
Koos Baas, BSc. (1954) was born in Santpoort, Netherlands. He worked with several water treatment companies since 1978. In 1988 he started, as majority founder, Aquacare Europe BV as an independent water treatment company based in the Netherlands. In 1995 he started working in the membrane treatment with anti- scalents and cleaners and was involved in many autopsies, investigations and research projects for plants and institutes in Europe. He implemented improvements and monitored results. As managing director, he is responsible for all service activities in respect to the anti- scalant and cleaning business for most of the drinking water membrane plants in the Netherlands. Covering surface water treatment with UF/ RO, NF and anaerobic groundwater with RO and NF plants. He is involved in several academic research programs as utilisation advisor (Developing process- optimalisation software for membrane plants based on critical parameters in the feed water quality; Developing a thermo- reversible softener; Implementing a new generation of highly biodegradable anti- scalants. As head research and product development he is responsible for the development of “green” (biodegradable and non toxic for aquatic life) and highly effective membrane cleaning agents. From 1995 until 2002 he was president of the Dutch Association of Watertreatment companies Aqua Nederland. Early 2004 he started as co- founder with Global Membrains BV.
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Membrane Management System
The performance of a Reverse Osmosis Desalination plant revolves around the performance of the membranes. In theory there are several membrane manufacturers guidelines of how to maintain the membranes and prolong their life while achieving the expected sea water treatment requirements. Combining theory with membrane operational experience allows the development of basic guide rules which help to make more appropriate and early decisions in order to sustain the required membrane performance. This paper describes the development of an overall strategy of membrane management bringing together three essential membrane activities in one single time based system (a) membrane performance monitoring, (b) membrane cleaning, and (c) membrane replacement. The development of an overall Membrane Management System has been derived over a 4 year operation of the Larnaca Desalination Plant in Cyprus. The Plant meets all its contractual obligations, including the all important energy consumption criterion. 
Dr. Erineos Koutsakos, Larnaca Desalination Plant
Erineos Koutsakos (1960) was educated at the University of Wales (BSc, Class 2.1 Hons. in Chemical Engineering), Bradford University (Meng, Advanced Chemical Engineering), UCL (PhD, Hydrodynamics of agitated Chemical & Biochemical Reactors and Open University (MBA, Masters in Business Administration) all in the UK. He is a Chartered Engineer, a Fellow Member of the Institute of Chemical Engineers and a Member of the Cyprus Technical Chamber. He applied for a membership of the Chartered Institution of Water & Environmental Management (membership application). His professional carreer started in 1981 as a analytical chemist at ICI Ltd UK. In 1982 he became a chemical engineer at Cyprus Petroleum Refinery Ltd, Cyprus. From 1988 to 1990 he was lecturer- chemical engineering at the Birmingham University. During 1990 to 1998 he worked at Thames Water Plc, UK as Project Development Manager. From 1998 to 2000 he was managing director of HydroMed Consultancy, Cyprus. In 2001 he started his current position as plant manager of Larnaca Desalination Plant, Cyprus, a $40 million Desalination Plant in Cyprus producing 50,000 m 3 /d of water. The plant is a 10 year BOOT project and is a vital water resource to Cyprus. The plant is one of the most automated and advanced of its kind world wide and has been build by IDE Technologies Ltd. The plant employees 22 staff and is achieving all its contractual requirements in all major plant performance parameters of Energy, Quantity and Quality. His key experiences are, among others, managing operation of desalination, water and sewage treatment plants; water resources, treatment and supply network evaluations; research in water treatment novel techniques; international water industry and business development.
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Physical-chemical desalination
Physical/ chemical processes for desalination of seawater are of increasingly importance in solving world wide water shortages. Several processes such as multi- effect evaporation, hyperfiltration and electrodialysis are applied on a practical scale. Other processes are still in the development phase. Two of these processes are capacitive deionisation and humidification/ dehumidification. Capacitive deionisation involves the use of porous electrodes with a very high specific surface area to remove dissolved ions through the application of a low voltage electrostatic field. Humidification/ dehumidification is based on the evaporation of water from seawater into air and the subsequent removal of this water from the air phase by condensation. In the presentation a brief overview will be given of the various physical/ chemical desalination processes with special attention to capacitive deionisation and humidification/ dehumidification. Attention will also be given to challenges for the future. 
Prof.dr.ir. Wim Rulkens, Wageningen University and Research Centre
Wim Rulkens (1942) was born in Venlo. He studied at the Technical University Eindhoven were he finished his MSc degree in chemical engineering. In 1973 he succesfully defended his PhD thesis "Retention of volatile trace components in drying aqueous carbohydrate solutions”. From 1966 until 1973 he was appointed as a University teacher/ researcher at the Technical University Eindhoven. From 1973 until 1989 he worked at the Dutch Research Organisation for Applied Scientific Research (TNO) where he was Manager Research Group Process and Product Development (research for process industry, food industry, chemical industry) (1973- 1976) and subsequently Manager Research Group Environmental Technology (research area: treatment of wastewater, polluted soil, wastes, manure, sludge) (1976- 1989). In 1989 he became Professor in Environmental Technology at Wageningen University where he is head of the Sub- department of Environmental Technology.
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