Contributing to the circular economy: biological coagulant recovery in water and wastewater treatment

This project aims to determine the feasibility of operating a biological reactor to recover iron and phosphorus from water and wastewater treatment sludge.
The work is primarily laboratory-based at Cranfield University, with sampling trips to each of the sponsoring water utilities to source various types of sludge to determine the feasibility of the bioreactor. The student will work on understanding the fundamental pathways for Fe and P transformations, establish the critical reactor design and operation criteria, and propose the designs for a proof of concept prototype. The business implications including the role of the bioreactor in the contribution to the circular economy and the overall environmental footprint of the water utilities will form part of the feasibility assessment. The multiple skills needed to deliver this work will be developed through hands-on training, elective modules and mentoring, depending on the candidate's first degree and post-graduation ambitions.