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Report

Teaser, summary, work performed and final results

Periodic Reporting for period 1 - iMEC (Real-time assessment of toxic sulphide in wastewater â€“ market maturation of an Industrial Micro Electrochemical Cell)

Teaser

Summary

Hydrogen sulphide (H2S), a toxic, foul-smelling and highly corrosive gas, is a major challenge in wastewater collection systems where it causes the premature deterioration of sewer pipes, wells, pumps, motors, and other assets. In addition to accelerated asset deterioration, the gas also poses significant worker safety concerns, and â€œrotten-eggâ€ odour nuisances with a severe negative impact on the quality of life for affected residential areas. It is estimated that the annual worldwide direct cost of asset corrosion in the wastewater industry exceeds â‚¬1.4 trillion.

To avoid the negative effects of hydrogen sulphide, water utilities spend a significant share of their operating budgets on mitigation initiatives including the dosing of neutralization agents (chemicals), but as the gas is notoriously difficult to measure in the harsh environments found in sewer systems, mitigation actions are often inefficient. Without a clear overview of the real-time development of hydrogen sulphide in complex sewer systems, utilities often dose chemicals in excess and are forced into making long-term asset management decisions on an uninformed basis.

Existing sensor solutions typically measure hydrogen sulphide in the gas phase only, however, the data collected by these sensors does not provide a full overview of the challenge, as they often underestimate hydrogen sulphide levels and as they are unsuitable for deployment in many sewer environments.

Based on the extensive knowledge in developing, constructing and applying microsensors, Unisense has developed a cost-effective and robust sensor for continuous monitoring of liquid-phase hydrogen sulphide in wastewater collection systems. Built for long-term deployment in extreme environments, the novel iMEC sensor enables utilities to map the development of hydrogen sulphide in sewer systems in real time. Using this approach, the sensor technology enables utilities to; cost-optimise chemical dosing strategies to reduce operating costs, locate the source of hydrogen sulphide development in complex sewer networks for efficient mitigation, and make long-term planning decisions on an informed basis to increase the lifespan of assets.

The liquid-phase measurements of the iMEC sensor represents a radically new approach to hydrogen sulphide monitoring in the wastewater industry, and the overall objective of the iMEC project is thus to overcome prominent barriers of entry that may hinder the market uptake of the new technology. Furthermore, Unisense aim to mature the technology and its production processes, and clearly demonstrate the sensorâ€™s value-added benefits through large-scale demonstrations and product certification.

Work performed

Halfway through the project, Unisense has completed a field test campaign, refined the sensor and its production processes, initiated certification processes, disseminated preliminary results at online media and at a leading international industry tradeshow, and started the first of two planned demonstrations.

In January 2019, a series of sensors were installed in different sewer environments in the wastewater collection system in Aarhus, Denmark as part of an early field test campaign. Based on the results and experiences obtained by this campaign, and following stakeholder meetings and laboratory analysis, minor modifications were implemented to the design of the sensor. In May 2019, the first demonstration phase was initiated, as Unisense installed sensors in the wastewater collection systems at local utilities and at other locations to demonstrate and validate the sensorâ€™s value propositions.

Throughout the year, the sensorâ€™s production process has been streamlined to enable an efficient production ramp up, decrease production costs and improve the overall performance of the sensor. Parallel to this, a series of initiatives have been taken to prepare the commercial uptake including the initialization and obtainment of certifications required for entry on key markets.

The progress of the project and preliminary results have been disseminated in updates from a dedicated LinkedIn profile, on a product-specific website, in two case study flyers, and on the industry-leading WEFTEC tradeshow in Chicago, USA on September 23 â€“ 25, 2019.

Preliminary results look promising, as the sensor mapping of a village associated with hydrogen sulphide problems provided the water utility Aarhus Vand with a full and dynamic overview of the development of hydrogen sulphide in the sewer network, enabling the utility to mitigate a significant H2S problem effectively.

Final results

The problems caused by hydrogen sulphide in wastewater collection systems is only expected to grow in years to come as the ongoing centralization of wastewater treatment plants, increasing stormwater separation and general urbanization trend all provide ideal conditions for the formation of the toxic gas in sewer systems. The lack of existing measurement technologies for smart monitoring hinders efficient mitigation and as an effect, new technologies are urgently demanded by the industry.

A successful commercialization and subsequent market adaptation of the iMEC sensor technology represents a unique business opportunity for Unisense with many beneficial impacts from sustainability, environmental and societal points of view, and is well aligned with UN sustainability development goals for clean water, sustainable cities and innovations in infrastructure.

Improved strategies for the dosing of neutralization agents will reduce the amount of (unspent) chemicals used in the wastewater industry for improved environmental compliance and reduced operational costs for water utilities. An optimised approach to hydrogen sulphide monitoring and mitigation in sewer networks enabled by the iMEC sensor technology will drastically improve the quality of life for people living near affected areas and the working environment for sewer technicians as odour nuisances and toxic gas releases are eliminated. The iMEC sensor technology will also play an important role in avoiding property devaluation for affected houseowners caused by frequent H2S odours and all the multi-layered consequences for the general society inherent to the collapse of critical infrastructure.

Besides providing Unisense with a sustainable competitive advantage and export potential, the iMEC project will assist Europe in achieving objectives for environmental and quality of life policy. Overall, this opens not only an important economic opportunity for Unisense but will ultimately lead to a more sustainable wastewater treatment process and important cost-savings in the industry.