The new technology may have a role to play at Acle in Norfolk, where an activated sludge plant is being refurbished.

New technology with big potential

A pioneering new system being developed by May Gurney has the potential to significantly reduce the amount of 'sludge tankering' and chemicals required at sewage treatment plants - and as a result deliver significant cost savings to water companies operating these plants.

The system is based on a specially developed membrane that allows efficient separation of sludge and water - thereby reducing the amount of sludge that needs to be 'tankered' away from site.

"Our membrane has the potential to reduce the volume of surplus activated sludge by 50-75%," explains Richard Dean, May Gurney's Chief Operating Officer. "Even allowing for initial installation costs, the system will deliver significant cost savings over a 3-5 year period. It also eliminates the use of chemicals, which has significant H&S and environmental benefits."

"Our membrane has the potential to reduce the volume of surplus activated sludge by 50-75%"

Richard Dean, May Gurney

The new technology may have a role to play is at Acle in Norfolk, where May Gurney is refurbishing an existing activated sludge plant for one of its key customers Anglian Water.

When complete, the new plant will replace an existing outdated and overloaded plant, but while construction is underway the old plant has to remain in use - which makes the project particularly challenging.

The Acle project is a real partnership effort between May Gurney and Anglian Water. Engineers from both parties have spent many hours face to face designing and developing the most appropriate solution.

"Our new membrane system may form part of the new sludge dewatering plant at Acle," Richard Dean added. "It's very early days, but we've offered the client a working model to enable all parties to scrutinise it closely with a view to making a final decision later this year."

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