Decentralised Electro-Methanogenic Wastewater Treatment (DEMWT)

The project is testing a novel biodigester technology in humanitarian settings, developed by WASE, a Brunel University London (BUL) spinout. The system treats human waste (and other organic matter) producing biogas with a higher methane concentration compared to traditional AD systems. Other byproducts are water and sludge rich in nutrients that can be used to irrigate wood lots. WASE's EMR solution outperforms traditional biodigesters on several fronts, reducing processing time and plant size while generating more energy. The project is structured in three subsequent feasibility trials, with this being the second stage. The first phase (ongoing with World Food Programme (WFP) funds) is assessing the technical performance of a prototype system in the controlled environment of UNHRD, a Humanitarian Procurement Centre managed by WFP, in Brindisi, IT. In this project, the system will be tested in Dadaab, Kenya, in a WFP camp and will look at construction solutions that use local materials and recognise the influence of contextual factors on performance and usability. The third and final phase before commercialisation (beyond the scope of this project), will test the system with beneficiaries in a WFP school and/or camp to refine viable business models.