Innovation Lounge

The Innovation Lounge is another brand new and exciting feature of IWWE & IRWM 2008. The Innovation Lounge will be dedicated to current research projects, displayed by universities and research centres.

The Innovation Lounge is a great opportunity for the energy, recycling and water industries of present to meet technologies and experts of the future in a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere.

Confirmed so far

The Dundalk Institute of Technology - National Source Protection Pilot Project 

The Dundalk Institute of Technology will present their research project about National Source Protection Pilot Project at Churchill and Oram, Co. Monaghan.
Overview of the National Source Protection Pilot Project at Churchill and Oram

In brief, the National Pilot Source Protection Scheme based at Churchill & Oram, which is jointly funded by the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government and the National Federation of Group Water Schemes is designed to:

• Plan and develop a strategy for monitoring group water scheme sources and their catchments.
• Implement workable and sustainable solutions for preventing source contamination.
• Guide and inform policy for the implementation of practical source protection measures on group schemes nationally.

The National Centre For Freshwater Studies

The National Centre for Freshwater Studies was established in June 2005 within the Department of Applied Sciences in DkIT in order to lead the National Source Protection Pilot Project (NSPPP), Ireland's first source protection project. The Centre has been instrumental in attracting spin-off research and activities which include but are not limited to:

• extensive microbiological and molecular components of water, soil and sediments, including a state-of-the-art Cryptosporidium detection unit;
• alternative waste management systems;
• remediation of disturbed ecosystems; and,
• the protection and restoration of ground water, surface water and ecosystems impacted by man-made and natural processes and ultimately the technological transfer of these methodologies and results.

Posters being displayed by the Centre in the Innovation Lounge include:

• Carson, A., Ba?k, H.C. and S.M. Linanne. Detailed pigment analysis on a sediment core taken from Milltown Lake, Co. Monaghan, Ireland.
• Jordan, S.N. and G.J. Mullen. The future management of Agaricus bisporus spent substrate.
• Jordan, S.N. and G.J. Mullen. Enzymatic hydrolysis of organic waste materials in a solid-liquid system.
• Jordan, S.N., McCarthy, V., Corrigan, D., O'Donohoe, J., Carson, A., Wynne, C.A., Sweeney, N.F., Ba?k, H.C. and S.M. Linnane. Evaluation of diffuse agricultural and point source contributions to catchment nutrient loadings.
• Wynne, C.A. and S.M. Linnane. Macroinvertebrate and macrophytes as indicators of water quality in Milltown Lake catchment.

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Oxford University - NITRABAR Project

During 2007, NITRABAR Project Partners were working together on the design for the technology demonstration and arrangements for installation at the Ecos Millennium Environmental Centre, Ballymena, Northern Ireland.

The NITRABAR technology has now been successfully installed by project partner Ecomesh Ltd. The works, which took place over a 2 week period involved excavation to a depth of 3 m. This depth penetrated the upper gravel layer which connects with the River Braid, which passes through the Ecos Centre site. The barrier has been positioned to intercept nitrate in the gravel aquifer before it enters the river.

The system involves placement of the reactive medium (mulch and crushed rock) in wire baskets. A narrower permeable layer upstream and downstream of the reactive barrier ensures an even flow through the system. The wire baskets ensure that material is kept in the right place within the barrier. Information about the installation process will be made available in the Project Recommendations report, due in early 2009. The aim of the report is to document how the technology can be applied in different settings throughout Europe for the cost-effective management of the legacy of nitrate contamination in shallow groundwater, reducing its impact on surface waters.

The performance of the NITRABAR technology will now be demonstrated by varying nitrate levels in the shallow groundwater immediately up-gradient of the barrier so as to represent a range of natural conditions.

University College Dublin, School of Architecture, Landscape and Civil Engineering - Contribution of the Hospitality Sector to BMW Generation for the Dublin Region

Biodegradable municipal waste (BMW) generation varies widely depending on the nature (size and activity) of specific individual commercial facilities. This research predicted the quantity and distribution of BMW generation from the hospitality sector (restaurants, pubs, hotels) in the Dublin region. A geographical information system (GIS) model' of BMW generation was created using ArcGIS 9. The hospitality sector was identified and mapped on an Electoral District basis for the region. Historical research and data from scientific literature were used to assign BMW generation rates. Quantitative estimates of BMW generation were predicted as a function of faculty size, employee number, bedroom number etc. This study (funded by the Environmental Protection Agency ERTDI programme) identified and analysed 1030 individual point sources (i.e. individual businesses), who are predicted to produce >1176 t wk^-1 BMW, potentially suitable for composting or diversion.

University College Dublin, School of Architecture, Landscape and Civil Engineering - Novel approaches for enhancing high strength Waste Water treatment in constructed Wetland Systems 

Constructed wetland (CW) has been increasingly employed as a "green technology" for the treatment of a variety of wastewaters. Extensive studies at University College Dublin have been undertaken to develop novel approaches for the purpose of enhancing pollutant removal in CW. These include "tidal flow" operation strategy; "anti-size" arrangement of the wetland medium and alum sludge-based CW system. These innovative approaches have demonstrated the improved ability of CW systems to enhance oxygen transfer; the prolonged clogging of wetlands and a high immobilization capacity for phosphorus removal from the wastewater.    

Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology - Pharmaceuticals in the Irish aquatic environment

Pharmaceuticals have emerged as novel pollutants of potential concern to both freshwater and marine environments. Although their presence in effluents and receiving waters has been confirmed and quantified, their biological effects remain largely unknown. This study shall investigate these biological effects through the development of novel biomarkers in freshwater and marine mussels. 

 

If your university or research centre is interested in displaying latest research projects free of charge or if you would like more information, please contact us:

Sandra Bilz, Marketing Manager. 1800 927 160 if calling from Ireland. +44(0)20 8651 7088 if calling from outside Ireland.

Emma Noctor, Marketing and Events Co-Ordinator.  +44(0)20 8651 7113