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Environmental problems
Inorganic compounds can cause serious environmental problems in water, air, solid waste, soils and sediments. Heavy metals like mercury, cadmium and copper are well-known inorganic pollutants of waters, soils and sediments. Also the impact of inorganic gases, such as H2S, SOx, NH3, NOx and CO are well known, because of their toxicity, odour and role in the acidification of the environment. Important industries are the oil and gas industry and the metal and mining industry. It is our aim to recover the elements in their reusable form.
Our solutions
The recyclable matter research group seeks to solve these environmental problems by removal and recovery of the inorganic compounds in their reusable form. Innovative research is on-going in the following areas:
1) Application of the biological sulphur-cycle in water and gas treatment.
Research focuses on the development of a family of processes that rely on biological sulfate reduction, aerobic conversion of sulfide to elemental sulfur and the mineralization of disulphides and mercaptans. Sulfate removal from water and SO2, H2S and mercaptans from gases are the most important applications. For example, a biotechnological process for the removal of H2S from high pressure natural gas has been developed in conjunction with Paques B.V. and Shell Global Solutions Int. This process has been awarded the 2007 IChemE Sellafield Award for Engineering Excellence.
2) Recovery and removal of heavy metals from industrial wastewater and/or groundwater.
This research aims to recover and remove heavy metals from wastestreams. The developed biotechnology should produce reusable water, metals in reusable form, or |
when reuse is not possible, to immobilize the metals in a stable solid waste. The research field combines aspects of biotechnology, microbiology, chemical engineering, biogeochemistry and crystallization technology.
3) Biological modification of (waste) materials to reduce the environmental impact or improve the efficiency of industrial processing.
The research aims to biologically modify ores or other materials that are or are the result of processing. This can allow for process changes and reduction of energy consumption and waste. Current focus is on the bio-alteration of sulfide minerals.
Our approach
Multidisciplinary research, including microbiology, analytical and colloid chemistry, geology, biophysics and process technology and automation.
Development of innovative processes for removing inorganic compounds from polluted wastewater, waste gases and soils polluted, and to recover the pollutants in a reusable and compact (mostly solid) form.
Development of more sustainable industrial production processes, in co-operation with end-users and technology providers.
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