Brightwork

Sorry, this entry is only available in Nederlands.

On the 13th of December, Brightwork has presented the model and the decision-making tool for the logistics of sludge streams to the digester at the wastewater treatment works Amsterdam West of Waternet. Operators can use this tool on a daily basis to determine the amount of sludge that can be moved to the digester such that the process functions optimally. The presentation was given during a sludge workshop organized by Waternet where attendees were able to practice working with the tool and work on some cases.

The digester at the wastewater treatment works Amsterdam West is being fed by internal and external sludge sources. For Waternet a model has been made that analyses and optimizes the internal sludge logistics towards the digester with the goal to maximize the gas production.
Research has shown that the biogas production is negatively influenced by steep peaks in the amounts that are fed towards the digester. Simulations for this case have shown that using a method that smoothes these peaks gives more profit then a method that purely focuses on a specific minimal retention time of the sludge. The model can be used as a decision tool for operators to help optimize the sludge streams. The results of this study were an inducement to apply this model in their Purification Information System.

Last week eight representatives of the Brazilian government and water utilities in the State of Rio Grande do Sul visited the Netherlands, invited by Brightwork. The aim of the visit was to learn about the do’s and dont’s of municipal waste water treatment. The group discussed this theme with professors van Lier and Rietveld at the University of Delft and visited the waste water treatment plants of Blaricum (Waternet), Franeker and Leeuwarden (Wetterskip Fryslan). Also the Water Alliance in Leeuwarden was paid a visit.

Sustainable development of waste water treatment plants, focusing upon energy savings in the waterline, optimal energy production in the sludge line and reduction of chemicals consumption are drivers for a strategic planning of municipal waste water treatment. It is expected Brightwork is going to contribute to the strategic masterplanning.

The research on the rotating belt (fine) sieve of Salsnes in cooperation with waterboard Wetterskip Fryslân and BWA has ended. The fine sieve is tested for six months with good results for the removal of suspended solids in the influent. Despite the “thin” waste water an average of 54% removal of suspended solids was achieved. This makes the fine sieve a good alternative for primary sedimentation. The main advantage of the fine sieve is that the sludge is discharged with a higher dry matter content and this leads to significant savings in transportation costs. In addition, less space is required and therefore less air needs to be treated for odor control.

In cooperation with Wetterskip Fryslân a follow-up study is performed at several wwtp’s . It looks specifically at simultaneous sieving of influent and secondary sludge. The research fits within the ambitions of the Wetterskip to a more sustainable treatment of waste water.

After a successful internship at Brightwork Harry Tuinier continues his employment at Brightwork. Harry has investigated fine sieve technology at the demo site in Leeuwarden. He is combining the last part of his study Climate and Energy Management at Hogeschool Van Hall in Leeuwarden with a part time job at Brightwork. Combining work and study allows us to strengthen ties with the college, while Harry is able to help out with our growing workload.

Harry Tuinier

Brightwork has succesfully passed the audit and is now gained the VCA** certificate

Being VCA certified means we are seriously involved in safe and  responsible working procedures. The certificate is an objective declaration underlining that we are working according to safe and environmentally responsible standards. We are projecting these standards upon our consultancy services and our research and development activities, for which we design, built and operate pilot plants at various sites.

Last Thursday, all of the by Waternet selected organisations have signed the framework agreement concerning engineering activities at the Waternet head office in Amsterdam. Roelof Kruize, general director of Waternet, and Hans Wouters signed the agreement that enables Brightwork to do projects for Waternet in the expert field of wastewater treatment and technology during the next two years.

Since the 14th of February 2011, Harry Tuinier has started as intern at Brightwork. He is currently working on his 3rd year as an “Energy management and Climate” student at the Van Hall Larenstein College at Leeuwarden aiming to graduate next year. During 15 weeks Harry will contribute to the BioTrap project. Het BioTrap concept is being developed by Brightwork and will be extensively tested. Harry will mostly be working operationally during this project.

Harry Tuinier

Brightwork has been selected by Waternet to do consultancy work for the next few years in the field of process technology for the treatment of waste water. The selection is the result of a European tender for engineering services that Waternet set out at the end of last year. Criteria that have lead to this selection are the demonstrated available knowledge, the innovative power, the contribution to sustainable and integral solutions and the added value for Waternet.