Water Processing Technology

Fresh water is a precious natural resource, essential for agriculture, energy generation, life and ecosystems around the world. With fresh water making up less than 1% of the world’s water, coupled with the ever-growing demand and increase in water pollution, the world is facing a serious water crisis.

This has forced industries to reassess their water reuse and aim towards zero liquid discharge.

Our water processing team

• Prof. Rex Thorpe (Dissolved gas floatation, energy optimization, osmosis to enhance secondary oil production, direct contact condensation and energy from sewage sludge,odour capture in sewage treatment works)
• Prof. Adel Sharif (Forward osmosis technology, desalination, waste water, osmotic power, innovative draw solutions)
• Dr. Franjo Cecelja (Process optimization, modelling)
• Dr. Tao Chen (Process optimization, modelling)
• Dr. Judy Lee (Membrane filtration and synthesis, ultrasound processing, crystallization of solutes from waste)
• Dr. Alasdair Campbell (Osmotic power generation, solar pond power generation)
• Dr. Ralph Chadeesingh (Bioremediation)
• Dr. Madeleine Bussemaker (Ultrasound processing, value chain and knowledge modelling)
• Dr. Sami Al-Aibi (Granular filtration, pre-treatment processes, emergency unit design, adsorption process, activated carbon from by-products).

Recent/current research projects

• Osmosis to enhance secondary oil production PhD Studentship
• “Odour capture in sewage treatment works” Thames Water funded EngD project
• Development of Low Cost Forward Osmosis Desalination: Application in Agricultural Irrigation, $280k, (2016), QRNF Funded, F. Cecelja (PI).
• From sunlight to drinking water in Iraq, EPSRC Global Challenges Research Fund, A. Campbell (PI)
• Minimising Energy Consumption in the Water Industry: A Robust Model-Based Optimal Control Approach, EngD project, EPSRC & Perceptive Engineering Ltd funded,
• Functional membranes for biofouling remediation and nano/micro plastic removal, PhD project, Surrey/Deakin University Funded
• Ultrasound stimulated crystallisation of functional materials for membrane synthesis, Surrey/NPL funded PhD studentship
• Application of advanced oxidation assisted processes for industrial wastewater treatment, PhD project
• Parametric effects of ultrasound in aqueous systems, PhD project
• Adding value to wastewater treatment-ultrasound enhanced crystallization, ARC funded, AUS$375k, (2012-2015), J. Lee (PI).

Capabilities and facilities

• Pilot scale FO, RO, NF system
• Bench top cross filtration systems
• Osmometer
• Ultrasound processing equipment (22-2MHz frequencies).