Wastewater purification from micropollutants

The first commercial installation of UV/Hydrogen Peroxide is celebrated in Oosterwold

When Almere/Oosterwold faced the challenge of lacking a local sewage connection, the community developed an innovative decentralized wastewater solution. In September 2024, we celebrated the first commercial installation of a UV-HP system to remove micropollutants.

Pioneering sustainable wastewater treatment in a green community

Oosterwold is an innovative residential area with 800 households located in the Netherlands, where a green and sustainable living environment is a priority. As a result Oosterwold is the first municipal waste water treatment plant to install the Microx^TM/Advanox^TM concept to remove micropollutants. The community of Almere/Oosterwold was unattached to the local sewage network and thus, they needed to produce a decentralized local solution.

In September 2024, Almare/Oosterwold had a grand opening event celebrating the project including the first commercial installation of UV-HP removing micropollutants in municipal wastewater.

In a concerning trend micropollutants are increasingly accumulating in our water systems, posing a significant threat to aquatic life. The primary source of these pollutants is the discharge of effluent from municipal wastewater treatment plants. This mounting issue has sparked global concern due to the potentially harmful effects on aquatic ecosystems.

EU approves updated wastewater directive with new treatment requirements

In the EU the Coreper March 1^st 2024 approved the proposal of an updated wastewater directive.

Formal political decisions will likely come during the fall of 2024. The directive includes requirements for all larger municipal waste water treatment plants to have tertiary treatment addressing micropollutants latest 2045.

The mechanism behind Advanox^TM UV-C and MicrOx^TMhydrogen peroxide integration

By combining technology and expertise from Van Remmen and Nouryon we utilize the resource efficient Advanox^TM UV-C technology and the sustainably produced MicrOx^TMHydrogen Peroxide from Nouryon in a safe and reliable process without any unwanted and toxic residual products. The UV-C light split the Hydrogen Peroxide into two very reactive radicals degrading micropollutants. When the job is done the used resources are converted to water and oxygen.

The goal to remove 70% of the targeted pharmaceutical residues can easily be met. We are proud to return the water we borrow from nature cleaner than when we sourced it.

Advanox/Microx exceeds target with up to 94% removal efficiency in initial operation

The first continuous measurements shoved removal efficiency of 94 and 81% of the targeted compounds in August and September 2024. The 11 targeted compounds are shown in the table and the goal is to remove 70% of at least 7 of the compounds. The key parameter for removal efficiency is the transmittance of the water – meaning how well the UV-C light travels in the water. The transmittance can be optimized the preceding coagulation step, this treatment step is typically present in modern waste water treatment plants. The first half year of operation has proven the Advanox/Microx concept to be a very stable reliable and safe concept.

Oosterwold results

Target: Removal of 70% of 11 target compounds
Outcome: 81 and 94% removal
Transmittance 70% T10 (post pretreatment)
Flow 8-12 m3/h
Energy consumption
0,40-0,80 kWh/m3
0,032-0,021 kWh/mg
Permanent installation open for visit

For more information or a site visit please contact
Thomas Greschik – Nouryon, thomas.greschik@nouryon.com
Remon Decker - Van Remmen UV Technology