Istraživanje i razvoj

Vlastiti specijalizirani laboratorij

SPECIALIZED LABORATORY

By setting up its own laboratory equipped with modern analytical, development and research equipment, our main goal is to become a reference point in the area of environmental technologies.

EXPERIENCE, AUTHORIZATIONS, CERTIFICATES, SCIENTIFIC AND TEACHING VOCATIONS, etc.

The broad knowledge, expertise and experience of our employees and partners enables us in developing and implementing sustainable technologies which ensure the much-needed reduction of the environmental impact.

BIODEGRADABLE WASTE

Optimization of waste treatment processes based on biodegradability testing

1. Waste recovery, being a process whose primary objective is energy and material recovery of waste, where other materials (primary raw materials) are replaced by waste, is one of the most important issues in field of environmental protection in the Republic of Croatia
2. The determination of the biodegradability of waste is an essential starting point for further waste management.
3. While some processes focus solely on energy recovery of waste, anaerobic digestion enables material utilization of remained nutrients in the form of compost, as well as energy recovery through utilization of the produced biogas.
4. In its work, we prefer an integrated approach to biodegradable waste management and treatment, from composition analysis and determination of the biodegradability, selection of the most appropriate pretreatment / sorting methods, and finally with determination of the biodegradable waste treatment technology and preparation of required technical documentation.
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ANAEROBIC DIGESTION AND CO-DIGESTION OF ORGANIC SUBSTRATES

Development and optimization of anaerobic digestion and co-digestion processes of organic substrates

1. Anaerobic digestion is the most advantageous process of wet organic waste treatment, where biogas - a renewable energy source is produced. In conventional biogas plants, most commonly used substrates are different animal wastes (except poultry) in combination with corn silage. Due to trend of increasing corn silage production costs, grass silage can be used as a good substitute as well as other organic substrates (organic residues from food and beverage industry as well as some organic wastes from pharmaceutical, chemical, leather, paper and other similar industries)
2. For clients we develop processes of co-digestion or mono-digestion of new or substitute substrates, which are often slowly biodegradable and may also have an inhibitory effect on microorganisms and consequently on the entire biogas production process.
3. During development, anaerobic process is adapted to the extent of maximum biogas production without any process inhibition. Many times substrate pre-treatments are included to optimise the technological and economical sustainability of the process.
4. The main goal of process development is a partial or complete replacement of unsustainable (expensive) substrates with more accessible and cheaper substrates in order to reduce waste management costs and to increase the revenues from biogas utilisation at biogas plants.
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INDUSTRIAL WASTEWATER

Development and optimization of industrial wastewater treatment processes

1. The testing and determination of industrial wastewaters organic load is necessary primarily because industrial wastewaters are often significantly more organically loaded than conventional municipal wastewaters.
2. By using the pilot scale granulated biomass reactor (similar to an UASB reactor) and other laboratory equipment we are able to carry out tests of continuous wastewater treatment processes with determination of all key parameters for optimum treatment in compliance with statutory limit values for effluent discharge.
3. Primjena anaerobne digestije, u području organski opterećenih otpadnih voda iz industrije, pokazala se vrlo isplativom, najčešće s periodom povrata investicije od 2 do 5 godina. 3. The use of anaerobic digestion for treatment of organically loaded wastewaters from industry has proven to be very cost-effective, usually with a return of investment period of 2 to 5 years. The use of anaerobic digestion technologies for industrial wastewaters is usually economically feasible (return of investment: 2 to 5 years). The additional advantages are possibility of direct use of the produced biogas for heat and energy generation for use in its own industrial process as well as a high degree of heat energy utilization.
4. CROTEH in cooperation with international partners develops wastewater treatment processes for clients in the region. Besides the use of anaerobic technology, depending on specific needs, other physical-chemical-biological treatment methods are applied, and used on industrial plants in the region.
5. Our approach is based on ensuring optimal wastewater treatment in order to meet legal limit values for effluent discharge while considering the economic and environmental sustainability of the treatment process.
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MUNICIPAL WASTEWATER

Development and optimization of municipal wastewater treatment processes

1. Municipal wastewaters or already anaerobically treated industrial wastewaters, which are not heavily organically loaded, are mainly treated by aerobic or by a combination of anoxic and aerobic processes.
2. With our aerobic - anoxic reactor we can carry out tests of aerobic wastewater treatment as well as the removal of nitrogen and other compounds under different conditions, in compliance with legal limit values for effluent discharge.
3. Based on results of the tests of wastewater treatment process and analysis of the key wastewater parameters, for our clients we develop and optimize existing wastewater treatment plants (especially in cases of organic load increase) and provide technical assistance during plant operation.
4. In the field of municipal wastewater treatment, in partnership with our partners, we offer complete services, from organic load testing and analysis of other physico-chemical parameters, option analysis of various waste water treatment processes, and finally with the determination of optimal wastewater treatment technology and preparation of all types of projects and technical documentation.
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SLUDGE TREATMENT

Development of processes for the treatment, minimization and disposal of sludge

1. Each wastewater treatment plant produces sludge. In anaerobic sewage treatment technologies, sludge growth is in the range of 3 to 10% of the removed load, while in aerobic sludge treatment technologies sludge growth can amount to as much as 60% of the removed load.
2. Most sludge types are considered as waste; however, some sludge types do have a commercial value. Due to the high cost of sludge disposal, sludge reduction methods are investigated and developed.
3. The reduction of sludge quantities can be achieved by using conventional "end of pipe" methods, such as anaerobic digestion, aerobic digestion (autothermal), oxidation, etc. More recently, integrated treatment processes are being considered, where sludge treatment is integrated in the wastewater treatment process, such as ozonation, cavitation, etc.
4. CROTEH develops and designs optimum sludge treatment processes, primarily considering the environmental impact as well as the economic sustainability of the treatment process including the final disposal of the sludge.
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LIGNOCELLULOSIC MATERIALS

Research of difficultly degradable lignocellulosic substrates

1. Difficultly degradable lignocellulosic materials are rich in organic substances, however they are in bound in complex compounds such as lignin, cellulose and hemicellulose. The biological decomposition of these compounds is much more difficult to implement.
2. The goal of research is the field of treatment of difficultly degradable lignocellulosic materials is the identification and determination of required and most important process parameters and consequently development of an optimal anaerobic digestion process that allows maximum utilisation of the treated substrate.
3. The maximum utilization of substrate’s energy potential during the treatment of difficultly degradable substrates is achieved by determining and optimising process parameters such as: • type and conditions of substrate pre-treatment • temperature • pH • retention time • optimal co-substrate mixture ratios • type and conditions of substrate mass and energy transfer • selecting an appropriate treatment technology
4. Our team specializes in development of biogas production technologies from difficultly degradable lignocellulosic materials, through the implementation of a project financed by the European Structural and Investment Fund (link). After the successful development of technology in laboratory scale, the goal is the "scale-up" of the process, development of the process in industrial scale and the assessment of its economic viability.
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