The University of Queensland

Digestion of waste in biocells (2012–2015)

Abstract:

This goal of this proposal is to demonstrate and tune a concept for rapidly degrading solid organic waste in polyethylene bladders called biocells. Fundamental research at UQ has demonstrated that the degradation of organic solids is facilitated by microbial biofilms that grow on the surface of the waste. These biofilms are not tenacious and easily disrupted. Following on from this, Thiess Services and UQ have demonstrated that organic waste can be degraded in simple bladders at rates that match the rates achieved in current commercial digester designs, without the expense and complexity of these continuous processes.

Grant type:

Queensland Government Smart Futures Research Partnerships Program

Researchers:

• 

  Professor William Clarke

  Professor
  

  School of Civil Engineering

  Faculty of Engineering, Architecture and Information Technology

Funded by:

Queensland Department of Employment, Economic Development and Innovation