예루살렘 기반의 환경 신생기업 Applied Cleantech(ACT)의 최고경영자 Refael Aharon 박사가 이스라엘 Weizmann 과학 기관에서의 플랜트 과학 부문 박사과정 중 ‘유레카’를 외쳤다. 그는 얼마나 많은 종이가 이미 폐수에서 모이고 있는지를 알아냈다.

10년의 시간 끝에 ACT의 폐수 재활용 시스템은 재활용 과정이 시작되기 전에 고체 폐기물을 채취함으로써 이제 폐수처리 플랜트가 슬러지 생산을 건너뛸 수 있게 만들었다.

 

 

 

Dr. Refael Aharon, CEO of Jerusalem-based environmental start-up Applied Cleantech (ACT) had his ‘eureka’ moment while doing his PhD in plant science at the Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel.

 

At the time he realised how much paper was already collected in wastewater.

 

Ten years down the line and ACT’s Sewage Recyling System now enables wastewater treatment plans to bypass the production of sludge by extracting solid waste before the recycling process begins.

 

The technology sifts through wastewater prior to its entry at treatment centres and produces pellets or pulp form at the end of a conveyor belt in the form of a patented product called Recyllose - recycled cellulose.

 

Recyllose applications include being used as an additive for pulp, paper construction and insulation products, as feedstock for bio-plastics and as a resource for the production of biofuel and nanocellulose.

 

To date, the system has been used in Holland by the Dutch company Agentschap to help deal with the “170 tons of toilet paper” flushed down toilets each year.

 

United Utilities in Scotland, Vert Energy in Mexico and Veolia in France have also used the system.

 

Speaking to WWi about the challenges of getting the technology accepted by the water industry, Aharon said: “Part of the problem is that the industry is dominated by conservative engineers. And my experience is that when it comes to engineers well, it’s a little like oil and water they just don’t mix. All too often the back-story is one of conservatism and a reluctance to embrace innovation, their attitude invariably ‘if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it’ or that when a system does come across as attractive and appealing then to wait for at least 10 years or so to see how it comes out in the wash.”

 

[출처 = Water World / 2015년 1월 30일]