Most water filtration systems use sand, but, recent research by the UK“s Dryden Aqua Ltd has shown that this could be replaced with a more sustainable alternative: recycled glass. Indeed, one of the …
Most water filtration systems use sand, but, recent research by the UK“s Dryden Aqua Ltd has shown that this could be replaced with a more sustainable alternative: recycled glass. Indeed, one of the key aims of the research carried out in conjuction with WRAP (Waste and Resources Action Programme) and the European Commission Life Environment Fund was to compare how well recycled glass performed against sand, especially in areas where sand performs poorly such as biofouling. The research project followed Dryden Aqua“s development of AFM (Active Filter Media), the UKs first commercially available recycled glass filter media. The trials looked at the largest growth areas for recycled glass media in Sewage Treatment Works (STW) and drinking water systems. Results showed significant performance benefits over traditional sand across key operational parameters including reduced biofouling and less frequent filter media changes. Impending legislation is placing ever stricter standards on the discharge of effluent into watercourses, as well as within STWs. The research demonstrated that AFM filters brought the discharge water quality into 100% compliance. Their potential for use in drinking water treatment systems has also been shown to be highly promising. WRAP is keen to involve the water industry in the key next stages of market development. It is planned that these research findings and further full-scale operational trials will demonstrate that recycled glass can be used successfully on a commercial scale as an alternative to traditional filtration media. A recent desk research report by Entec UK Ltd on behalf of WRAP also confirmed that there is great potential for the uptake of recycled glass as a filtration media in industrial wastewater and process water treatment. Specifically, it identified dairies and milk processing, fruit and vegetable processing, and breweries as being potential markets of particular interest.