TRASLAB - Treatment and Recovery at Source

Treatment and Recovery at Source

The Treatment and Recovery at Source (TRAS) team at UGent focuses on local solutions for treatment of water, processing of biomass and recovery of resources such as metals and organics. We combine different disciplines, from electrochemistry to bioreactor engineering and mixed culture biotechnology. Applications focus on decentralized water and nutrient recovery, treatment of metal containing wastewaters, recovery of organics and added value production. Besides technological development, we holistically think about how new interventions can drive innovation and, in the end, an equitable, sustainable society.

Research

Key to our research is the development of concepts and technology that minimize the use of chemicals and maximize recovery of resources. This includes development of models and concepts for on site water reuse (DOI), electrochemical technology for treatment and recovery, production of added value products such as microbial protein and succinic acid… Below a number of our ongoing research projects

ManuREfinery

In Manurefinery, we are producing caproic acid oil from grass, fertilized with recovered nutrients.

LUCRA

In LUCRA, we develop a new pipeline for conversion of biomass to polymer grade succinic acid. Our key focus is on extraction using electrochemical systems.

Agriloop

In Agriloop we take organic acids produced during fermentation of agricultural side streams and convert them to microbial protein. Our research integrates kinetic evaluations on these complex streams and process optimization.

PROMIPOL

PROMIPOL is a FWO funded project in which we grow microorganisms full of protein, not to use it as food or feed but to produce plastics with them.

MELiSSA

The MELiSSA project develops life support systems for space. We perform research on how organic acids can be removed with bioelectrochemical systems so that clean water is generated and CO₂.