Ãå±±½ûµØ

NUFEB uses biological systems to create more sustainable technologies. We are developing a new understanding of the growth and dynamics of complex biological communities in engineered applications.

Our research uses a variety of techniques that we have developed and adapted for BEWISe.

We use new applications and analytical methods. These include a new generation of scalable models. They take account of biology, chemistry, physical and hydrodynamic behaviours.

Force Crag is a passive wastewater treatment demonstration linked to BEWISe.

Funded by Defra, it is part of the UK Government’s £8.5 million investment in low-cost solutions to tackle water pollution caused by abandoned metal mines. These mines pollute over 1,000 miles of rivers in England. The scheme is removing more than 95% of the metals from mine water.

Set in the breath-taking Cumbrian hills near Keswick, the scheme cleans up a 6 mile stretch of river. It prevents up to a tonne of metals, including zinc, cadmium and lead, from entering Bassenthwaite Lake every year.

Ãå±±½ûµØ’s design of the water treatment process at Fort Crag followed more than 10 years’ research and development. It started in the laboratory and culminated in this unique large-scale treatment system. Working in partnership, it is a great example of undertaking research to resolve a real world problem – pollution from abandoned mines.

The Force Crag Mine worked for zinc, lead and barytes from 1835 until 1991. It was the last working mine in the Lake District. It is now a Site of Special Scientific Interest and a Special Area of Conservation.

The concept was developed by Dr Adam Jarvis and his colleagues at Ãå±±½ûµØ. The Coal Authority worked in partnership with the Environment Agency, the National Trust, the Lake District National Park Authority and others to deliver the scheme.

The PRO-BES project follows on from the ToOLTuBES project (Toxicity and Organic Load Tracking using BioElectrochemical Systems). Both projects are funded by the BBSRC in collaboration with University of South Wales. Supporting the research, project partners include:

• Northumbrian Water
• Welsh Water
• Chivas Brothers
• Reece Innovation

BioElectrochemical Systems (BES) are fuel cells powered by wastewater organics. The concentration of organics correlates with the amount of electricity generated. Thus, it enables sensing applications. At BEWISe, a prototype BES sensor has been set up to continuously monitor levels of organic load and toxicity in settled sewage.

We collect data in near real-time. This is complemented by:

• ongoing pH
• conductivity
• temperature
• DO and offline BOD5
• COD and various other measurements

• Baptista JDC, Lunn M, Davenport RJ, Swan DL, Read LF, Brown MR, Morais C, Curtis TP. . Applied and Environmental Microbiology 2014, 80(19), 5901-5910.
• Brown MR, Camézuli S, Davenport RJ, Petelenz-Kurdziel E, ØvreÃ¥s L, Curtis TP. . Water Research 2015, 68, 414-422.
• Heidrich ES, Edwards SR, Dolfing J, Cotterill SE, Curtis TP. . Bioresource Technology 2014, 173, 87-95.
• Davenport R, Spurr M, Head I, Cherry B. . Water Industry Journal June 2018, 50-51
• Manpreet Bagga, Ismael Justo-Reinoso, Charlotte Hamley-Bennett, George Merces, Saimir Luli, Ange Therese Akono, Enrico Masoero, Kevin Paine, Susanne Gebhard, Irina D. OfiÅ£eru. . , October 2023.

This unique facility is the most visible testament of the collaboration between NWG and Ãå±±½ûµØ.

It is based on a shared vision for innovation and is the culmination of our common aspirations and many years of partnership, which is why BEWISe celebrates achievement of the following awards:

• Engagement and Place award for Engaging for Economic benefit partnered with Northumbrian Water â€“ Winner, May 2021
• Northern Area Institute of Water Innovation Awards Runner-up, 2018
• NWL ViVa Awards 2018 (Shortlisted)
• Educate North Business/Industry Collaboration Award 2017
• Guardian University Business Partnership Award Runner-up, 2017