Teesside experts to assist with international research project

Experts at Teesside University are part of a two year international research project to help local and regional governments across Europe turn sewage sludge into re-usable charcoal and gas.

The PYROCHAR project is supported by a consortium of SMEs and research centres dedicated to the design and development of a process to convert sewage sludge into useful biochar and synthetic gas.

Through innovative research it aims to provide small European areas with a solution to manage their sludge problems.

Teesside University’s Technology Futures Institute is one of just three research centres – and the only centre in the UK – selected to contribute to the project, along with a range of organisations from countries including Spain, France and Turkey.

Professor Maria Olea and Dr Chris Ennis will lead the Teesside University team looking specifically at biomass, biochar and gas clean-up techniques.

The Technology Futures Institute is an international leader in key areas of research and innovation related to sustainable engineering, advanced processing, and measurement and control.

Commercial advantages to the PYROCHAR project – due to run until October 2015 - will be that the sludge will be treated on-site, reducing its total dewatered volume by more than 95%, decreasing its operating and maintenance cost.

The PYROCHAR system will also reuse the calorific power of the sludge to fuel its own system, making the overall system highly energy efficient.

Professor Olea said: 'We are delighted to be involved in this exciting and innovative international project which will examine new ways of dealing with sewage sludge.

'The Technology Futures Institute here at Teesside University has a strong international reputation and we are looking forward to using our expertise to contribute to a project which could result in hugely beneficial outcomes.' The PYROCHAR project has received funding from the European Union’s Seventh Framework Programme managed by the Research Executive Agency.

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