Wastewater treatment protocol with Japan univ.

A protocol allowing technology transfer for wastewater treatment was signed with a Japanese university Thursday. 

The Egypt-Japan University of Science and Technology (E-JUST) and Tohoku University in Japan signed an agreement for the transfer of the most up-to-date technology for the treatment of wastewater, a senior official said yesterday.

President of E-JUST Dr Ahmed el-Gohary said, “This innovative technology has been applied at the university, where a wastewater treatment plant has been established with a capacity of 200 cubic metres per day and the treated water is re-used to irrigate green areas on campus.”

“Another unit has also been set up in the village of el-Adil, in Senouras, Fayyoum Governorate with a capacity of 400 cubic metres a day using the same technology,” el-Gohary said. 

Dr Mona Gamal Eddin, Dean of the Faculty of Energy Resources at E-JUST said the Japanese technology used in the two units relies on aerobic treatment on as an alternative to traditional treatment systems.

“Aerobic wastewater treatment systems use oxygen-feeding bacteria, protozoa, and other specialty microbes to clean water,” Dr Gamal Eddin explained. 

“These systems optimise the naturally occurring process of microbial decomposition to break down industrial wastewater contaminants so they can be removed.

“Such treatment system does not consume the energy needed for oxidation, which is self-contained through direct contact between water and air through side holes designed for this purpose.

“This system produces a very small amount of slurry, and the system is highly efficient in removing of organic and inorganic pollutants. 

“It can to remove pathogenic bacteria, viruses and parasites by adding chlorine at the last phase of treatment.

“This system saves about 40 per cent of land area required in conventional stations. The unit costs only about LE4 million, whereas the conventional stations cost more than LE7 million. 

“In addition, energy consumption is low (25-30 per cent), compared to energy requirements in conventional systems.”