Aqua Recovery forms a part of the DNV GL Extraordinary Innovation program, which allows chosen international project teams to investigate a specific field of technology or develop a special service to be tested in the marketplace.
As a result of Aqua Recovery innovation project, three solutions have been developed:
- The Reliever: a ship that can help to treat waste, for example while a land-based plant is being modified, expanded or repaired. Typical need: a somewhat developed country with a shortage of water and unsatisfactory treatment capacity.
- The Changemaker: a more or less permanent water treatment plant that takes grey water and polluted industrial effluents and treats them enough for them to be used for watering and manufacturing purposes. This allows more water for drinking. Typical need: the Mediterranean region.
- The Water Factory: slightly polluted river water is treated so that it has drinking water quality. Typical need: rivers in China and other densely populated places where drinking water is in short supply.
Sigmund Larden, CEO of tech start-up EnviroNor commented: "We have to think differently if we want to solve the global challenges related to water supply and pollution from discharge of untreated wastewater.”
"We have been looking for an opportunity to help solve the enormous global water challenges due to urbanization and population growth and, together with our partners EnviroNor, the WFF and Red Cross, we want to bring more knowledge and concrete solutions to the market. We have reason to believe that the Aqua Recovery concept is both feasible and profitable," says Bjørn K. Haugland, DNV GL Group Chief Sustainability Officer.
"There are many problems and the challenges are large and global. The concept of mobile treatment plants may help to ease this situation in some locations," adds Haugland who highlights that by using known technologies in a new way, a floating wastewater treatment plant can be tailored to the specific location and its water needs. Converting a tanker for this purpose can add 20 years to its lifespan.
"Ships from super tankers to river barges can be converted to provide dry coastal cities with much needed clean water for irrigation, industry purposes and even providing safe drinking water for humans. By converting, for example, a 15 year old product tanker we can treat the waste water from a city of 250.000 inhabitants.
Photo: Shipbuildingtribune.com
