Developed by the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory as part of the US Department of Energy, the system could add the treatment of wastewater to the circular economy using what is known as hydrothermal processing. This processing method combines temperature, pressure and water to convert organic matter into forms of energy normally extracted through intense geological drilling techniques.

The system has been tested with more than 100 materials that include wastewater solids, food processing wastes, brewery wastes, animal wastes, and algae.

James Oyler, president of Genifuel, said hydrothermal processing (HTP) mimics the process by which fossil fuels are formed under Earth’s surface, meaning it has the ability to produce resources such as oil and gas in a fraction of the time without using heavy infrastructure or leaving a large carbon footprint.

“Fossil fuels are created when you have geological time and you have organic matter settling down into swamps and shallow lakes. After millions of years it builds up temperature and pressure and of course it’s wet and that starts the conversion into fossil petroleum and natural gas,” he said.

“In HTP the reactions and the products are similar, but we do it in an hour instead of millions of years.”

Oyler added that the fuels created through HTP can be used and mixed as effectively as their natural counterparts. Their production via the method also avoids excess residue, he said, a result typically very expensive to manage. He said the point of the system is not to increase the energy industry’s reliance on fossil fuels but to decrease the need to seek such resources while adding no further greenhouse gases to the atmosphere.

Having trialed the system successfully with the help of its sponsor, the Water Research Foundation (WRF), Genifuel will demonstrate the system to delegates at next month’s forum with Oyler as its formal representative.

BlueTech Research convenes investors, water companies, researchers and regulators, and provides information including analysis of emerging water technology markets.

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A key component of this initiative will be a visiting scientist fellowship programme, which will see BlueTech water technology market analysts working closely with WEF team members on a number of specific joint initiatives. It is expected that this will drive a cross-pollination of knowledge and sharing of information.

“BlueTech has a long history of working closely with the Water Environment Federation and I am delighted to be able to strengthen this relationship with a formal MoU relating to the visiting fellowship programme,” said Paul O’Callaghan, Chief Executive of BlueTech Research. “There are many synergies in our expertise and the goals we share for the global water industry. Collaboration between BlueTech and WEF on initiatives such as LIFT link and the IR2 Forum will enhance analysis of the data and intelligence provided to all stakeholders.”

BlueTech supported WEF’s Intensification of Resource Recovery (IR2) Forum and expects to work closely to develop innovation-related programming at other global events and help disseminate findings to WEF members and BlueTech clients.

BlueTech’s expertise in market analysis could be leveraged into an initiative undertaken by Water Environment & Reuse Foundation and WEF. The Leaders Innovation Forum for Technology (LIFT) helps bring new water technology to the field quickly and efficiently.

“We will be using our data analytics capability to identify key industry trends by analysing conference papers and proceedings,” added O’Callaghan. “We may also identify opportunities to collaborate on specific technical projects that will advance the missions of both organisations.”

BlueTech Research provides investors, water companies, researchers and regulators with the latest information. The company provides clarity and analysis on emerging water technology market areas.

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