Research Topics
Six spheres of excellence
The key research area fall into six spheres of excellence :
- management of water resources
- drinking water
- wastewater
- biosolids
- water supply systems
- analysis
Drinking Water
Facing the demand for good quality water while at the same time the quality of water resources is deteriorating
Drinking water programs are responding to the growing demand for better water quality by consumers and the necessity of having to manage raw water resources whose quality is deteriorating.
The research and development programs therefore focus on:
- developing tools to monitor quality in the water supply system (primarily the microbiological aspect of the water and maintenance of the equipment) ;
- developing multi-barrier filters (ozone, membranes, chlorine and ultraviolet) for water treatment plants.
Nanofiltration at Méry-sur-Oise drinking water plant. © Sedif
Improving membrane processes
Particular emphasis has been given to research into membrane processes. Membranes are in fact an excellent physical filtration barrier with which to meet hygiene and quality requirements.
In this area, the efforts of the Group are focused on:
- detailing their performance
- controlling pre-treatment
- treating concentrates
- optimizing cleaning
- and reducing operating costs.
In addition, specific research has been carried out on the optimization of the pre-treatment process upstream to the membrane processes in order to prevent clogging upstream to the reverse osmosis treatments used in desalinating seawater.
Wastewater
Controlling the impact on natural resources
The proper operation of a municipal wastewater system can only be achieved by the comprehensive management of the sewerage system and wastewater treatment plants.
Veolia Water's research program therefore takes into account:
- the management of sewerage systems
- quality of the inputs and discharges (water, biosolids and air) that can have an impact on natural resources.
The research and development programs in wastewater are therefore focused on:
- managing the sewerage system
- creating innovative biological treatment solutions
- integrating the wastewater treatment plant with its environment
- improving technical performance and cost-effectiveness.
Research into new wastewater treatment processes
Research into new wastewater treatment processes has led to the development of ever smaller wastewater treatment plants, elimination of more and more impurities from pollutant elements found in the wastewater, primarily nitrates and phosphates.
The process of using high-rate clarification systems such as Actiflo™, or biological filtration treatments, Biostyr™ and Biosep™ , are tried and tested examples of these wastewater treatment solutions.
With this in mind, Veolia Water has developed rapid analysis methods for diagnosing the quality of bathing water, primarily in partnership with the Oceanographical Observatory in Banyuls-sur-Mer and the Free University in Brussels.
Biosolids
The treatment and re-use of biosolids are both environmental and economic concerns.
One sustainable option is the disposal of biosolids by agricultural recycling. With this in mind, research focuses on:
- ensuring that the process is safe and that no pollutants or pathogens are transmitted to crops
- quantifying the influence of compost on growing value-added crops
- controlling odors.
Finding other disposal routes via the reuse of biosolids
It is no longer a question of optimizing the treatment of biosolids, but finding a practical use for biosolids.
Veolia Water has created a new disposal route for biosolids with the Pyromix® solution. This co-incineration process of biosolids with household waste improves the efficiency of the furnaces.
Pyromix® is currently being piloted for industrial use in order to confirm the technical and cost effectiveness of this technology under real operating conditions.
Reducing the quantity of biosolids produced
Another research goal is to reduce the amount of biosolids produced, and therefore the overall cost of disposal.
In this area the Group:
- is developing efficient processes such as BioTHELYS ® ;
- and working on combining biological activity with solar drying (SOLIA).