The Precision group has developed the waste to fuel service using genome technology. The project won an award at Ireland’s Sustainable Awards 2010.

The wastewater treatment deals with blockages caused by fat oils and greases (FOG). It is estimated that 75% of sewer system maintenance spending is attributed to the build up of FOG and several hundred thousand tons are sent to landfill every year in the UK.

In a pilot project using Precision’s FOG traps, air quality and overall water effluent output quality was improved and sewer maintenance was reduced.

Because landfill is not an option for disposing of the fats oils and grease, Precision has developed ways to convert the FOG into a fuel that can be used at waste water treatment works.

The fuel is used to running an onsite generation plant, which feeds the power to the treatment works and channels any surplus power back to the grid.

The three-year ‘FOG to Fuel Innovation Project’ is being supported by the University of Ulster Genome Technology Department, Lisburn City Council and Invest NI. The technology is due for release in the European market in 2012.

 Alison Brown

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