Case Studies
Farting microbes serve as a source of biogas
UNSW researchers have discovered a way to increase the amount of methane gas emitted by naturally occurring microbes living in coal seams and on food waste. [ + ]
Screen technology improves sewage treatment efficiency
As part of its goal of providing high-quality, safe drinking water to households while at the same time finding ways to improve the management of wastewater, MidCoast Water is using band screen technology to improve efficiencies at its Dawson sewage treatment plant. [ + ]
Power from biomass residues in WA
A Western Australian oat miller is using Italian technology to generate clean electricity from its oat-husk waste to power its facility. [ + ]
Cleaning oil spills with paper waste
Researchers have converted paper waste into green cellulose aerogels that are non-toxic, ultralight, flexible, strong and water repellent. The material is suitable for oil spill cleaning, heat insulation, packaging, drug delivery and more. [ + ]
A filtration system for heavy metals
Researchers have developed a filtration system that is very efficient at removing various toxic heavy metal ions and radioactive substances from water. [ + ]
Utility slashes fuel usage with combined cycle optimisation
Emerson Process Management has completed a combined cycle optimisation project that generated operational improvements and slashed average fuel usage at a large power-generating unit operated by one of the largest utilities in the US. [ + ]
Washdown facility to protect agricultural land
A heavy-vehicle washdown facility, opened in the town of Dalby, Queensland, will minimise and control the spread of weed seed throughout the region. [ + ]
Nanostructures enable smart windows
Researchers have created a new type of smart window that could cut window-cleaning costs, reduce heating bills and boost worker productivity. [ + ]
Hospital saves energy using optimisation technology
The first Australian installation of the Siemens Demand Flow energy optimisation system at Robina Hospital in Queensland is already exceeding targets and on track to save enough electricity in its first 12 months to run the MCG light towers for a year. [ + ]
Tackling tough water treatment jobs
Bredel hose pumps have tackled tough media such as kieselguhr and crude oil with ease, indicating that the robust pumps are suitable for extreme tasks. [ + ]
Controllability the key to wastewater plants updating their blowers
Dennis Benson says there are three main factors why Australian wastewater plants are making the switch to screw blowers: controllability, reliability and reduced energy usage. [ + ]
Cheese company cuts energy costs
A German cheese producer has cut its energy costs with the introduction of a centralised vacuum system from Busch. [ + ]
Water pipes crawl with millions of bacteria
Researchers from Lund University in Sweden have discovered that drinking water is to a large extent purified by millions of 'good' bacteria found in water pipes and purification plants. So far, the knowledge about them has been practically non-existent, but this new research is about to change that. [ + ]
Is this Australia's most sustainable display home?
The Cape housing project is said to be Australia's most energy-efficient housing development, with minimum standards of 7.5-star energy efficiency, 2.5 kW solar and 10,000 L water storage per home. [ + ]
Powercaps provide the best of two energy worlds
The Karlsruhe Institute of Technology has developed Powercaps — energy storage systems that combine the advantages of batteries and supercapacitors. [ + ]
