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2024-04-15
VILNIUS TECH alumna's invention - innovation for a cleaner future
Dr. Julita Šarko, an alumna of Vilnius Gediminas Technical University's (VILNIUS TECH) Faculty of Environmental Engineering, was awarded by the Lithuanian Academy of Sciences in the category of best young scientists and doctoral research for her final doctoral thesis work.
In her work titled "Research and development of tertiary wastewater treatment filter fillings," Dr. J. Šarko studied nitrogen and phosphorus compounds which enabled her to deveop a technology capable of reducing the amount of these environmentally hazardous chemical substances in wastewater.
"The requirements for the quality of treated wastewater are constantly getting stricter. Today, we often face the problem that wastewater treatment plants inadequately clean nitrogen and phosphorus compounds from domestic wastewater, which, when released into the natural environment, cause ecosystem changes and thus disrupt the ecological balance," explains Dr. J. Šarko.
Innovation for a cleaner future
According to the scientist, the research results will serve to improve tertiary wastewater treatment technologies. She conducted her scientific work from 2019 to 2023, examining sorptive (having the property of absorbing moisture from the air) filter fillings that are suitable for tertiary wastewater treatment and reduce nitrogen and phosphorus compounds after biological wastewater treatment. She also created a tertiary wastewater treatment device.
The prize winner conducted laboratory research at the VILNIUS TECH Department of Environmental Protection and Water Engineering laboratory, and she tested the sorptive properties of the studied materials. This was done by mixing them with treated wastewater, filtering the wastewater through sorptive fillings and then calculating the efficiency of nitrogen and phosphorus compound removal.
During the scientific work, a low-capacity (up to 1 m3/d) prototype of a tertiary wastewater treatment device was developed and tested under real conditions. It was designed to further reduce the concentration of phosphorus compounds (up to 1 mg/l) and nitrogen compounds (up to 10 mg/l) in treated wastewater. This device can be used after biological wastewater treatment to additionally remove nitrogen and phosphorus compounds from wastewater.
"The reduction of nitrogen and phosphorus compound pollution in biologically treated wastewater inhibits eutrophication and protects water bodies from oxygen depletion. Additionally, using a tertiary wastewater treatment device creates a protective barrier for the natural environment in case of malfunction of the biological wastewater treatment plant, for example, if sludge does not settle but overflows. Thus, the tertiary wastewater treatment device would retain the sludge and protect the environment," explains Dr. J. Šarko.
Studies for those who create for tomorrow
One of the main advantages of doctoral studies is the freedom to create and implement solutions that change the world. Vilnius Gediminas Technical University (VILNIUS TECH) invites you to pursue a doctoral degree. This year, the university offers a choice of up to 12 fields of study, and emerging ideas and topics can already be discussed with potential supervisors. Have any questions? Register for the open day, which will take place on April 24th, learn about the studies, ask your questions, and create the future together with the VILNIUS TECH talent team.
The article was prepared by Milda Mockūnaitė-Vitkienė, Project Manager of Internal Communication Projects at VILNIUS TECH Public Communication Directorate.
Photo by Aleksas Jaunius.
In her work titled "Research and development of tertiary wastewater treatment filter fillings," Dr. J. Šarko studied nitrogen and phosphorus compounds which enabled her to deveop a technology capable of reducing the amount of these environmentally hazardous chemical substances in wastewater.
"The requirements for the quality of treated wastewater are constantly getting stricter. Today, we often face the problem that wastewater treatment plants inadequately clean nitrogen and phosphorus compounds from domestic wastewater, which, when released into the natural environment, cause ecosystem changes and thus disrupt the ecological balance," explains Dr. J. Šarko.
Innovation for a cleaner future
According to the scientist, the research results will serve to improve tertiary wastewater treatment technologies. She conducted her scientific work from 2019 to 2023, examining sorptive (having the property of absorbing moisture from the air) filter fillings that are suitable for tertiary wastewater treatment and reduce nitrogen and phosphorus compounds after biological wastewater treatment. She also created a tertiary wastewater treatment device.
The prize winner conducted laboratory research at the VILNIUS TECH Department of Environmental Protection and Water Engineering laboratory, and she tested the sorptive properties of the studied materials. This was done by mixing them with treated wastewater, filtering the wastewater through sorptive fillings and then calculating the efficiency of nitrogen and phosphorus compound removal.
During the scientific work, a low-capacity (up to 1 m3/d) prototype of a tertiary wastewater treatment device was developed and tested under real conditions. It was designed to further reduce the concentration of phosphorus compounds (up to 1 mg/l) and nitrogen compounds (up to 10 mg/l) in treated wastewater. This device can be used after biological wastewater treatment to additionally remove nitrogen and phosphorus compounds from wastewater.
"The reduction of nitrogen and phosphorus compound pollution in biologically treated wastewater inhibits eutrophication and protects water bodies from oxygen depletion. Additionally, using a tertiary wastewater treatment device creates a protective barrier for the natural environment in case of malfunction of the biological wastewater treatment plant, for example, if sludge does not settle but overflows. Thus, the tertiary wastewater treatment device would retain the sludge and protect the environment," explains Dr. J. Šarko.
Studies for those who create for tomorrow
One of the main advantages of doctoral studies is the freedom to create and implement solutions that change the world. Vilnius Gediminas Technical University (VILNIUS TECH) invites you to pursue a doctoral degree. This year, the university offers a choice of up to 12 fields of study, and emerging ideas and topics can already be discussed with potential supervisors. Have any questions? Register for the open day, which will take place on April 24th, learn about the studies, ask your questions, and create the future together with the VILNIUS TECH talent team.
The article was prepared by Milda Mockūnaitė-Vitkienė, Project Manager of Internal Communication Projects at VILNIUS TECH Public Communication Directorate.
Photo by Aleksas Jaunius.