Bolstered with major funding from U.K. water regulator Ofwat, University of Bath researchers are set to demonstrate the potential of an innovative new water recycling technology. Researchers from Bath’s Water Innovation and Research Consortium will work with project leaders Northumbrian Water, Waterwhelm, AtkinsRealis, SSE Thermal and others on the two-year Net Water PostiHyve project.

The goal is to deploy the technology to generate ultra-pure water from wastewater by use of waste heat produced by industrial facilities sited near wastewater treatment plants. Forward osmosis will be applied to separate residual compounds from treated wastewater, yielding a pure and reuseable water stream. Heat, which otherwise goes unused, is harnessed to regenerate a ‘draw’ solution consumed in this separation, reducing the energy required in the process and making use of an otherwise wasted asset.

The Net Water PostiHyve project will create up to 750 cubic meters of ultra-pure water each day. This high-quality water could be used in diverse ways, such as producing hydrogen fuel or high-tech electronic components, or by being reused in local industrial clusters to replace the fresh water supply.

According to the researchers, “This is a fantastic circular economy project utilizing treated wastewater and waste heat to provide high-quality recycled water. This approach can enable and unlock sustainable fuel and energy in the form of hydrogen, or be used for a variety of industrial purposes, and it reduces freshwater demand from the environment.”