The CREATE project aims to identify the energetic potential of wastewater and residues from different industrial sectors and to support the relevant companies in evaluating and implementing an energetic use of these by means of anaerobic wastewater treatment. Anaerobic wastewater treatment reduces wastewater disposal costs and greenhouse gas emissions and replaces fossil natural gas with biogas. In addition, an innovative process combining electrolysis and anaerobic wastewater treatment is being developed. The process enables electricity to be converted into biomethane in a decentralised manner via electrolysis and in-situ methanisation and thus represents an important further development in the field of wastewater treatment.
The project consortium consists of the research team of Prof. Dr. Elmar Brügging of Münster University of Applied Sciences, the Centre of Expertise Water Technology and Douna Machinery from Leeuwarden, the Stichting BEON and three different companies from different industrial sectors that produce wastewater and residues with a high unused energy potential. The project focuses on anaerobic wastewater treatment and the associated production of biogas. Together with the companies, the research institutions are investigating the wastewater sub-streams and residues, recording important parameters and determining the biogas potential of the wastewater. In addition, the possibilities of biogas utilisation in the company are shown and different utilisation concepts are developed together with the companies. Together with the FH Münster and Douna Machinery, the CEW is also investigating new and innovative processes for optimising anaerobic wastewater treatment (in-situ methanisation). Together with the FH Münster and the CEW, BEON ensures the transfer of results and knowledge through workshops, webinars and excursions.
