VBC3000 : Make ceramic products from sludges

Vbc 3000 is a french company, established in February 2003. Based in Ferrières en Bray (in department Seine Maritime) vbc 3000’s objective is to retain and commercialize the patent of a process to transform organic sludges from treatment plants into ceramic materials. 

The vBc3000 process enables the dual transformation of sewerage treatment sludge and clayey by-products which would otherwise be thrown away.The process exploits and optimizes the mineral and calorific content of the raw materials so that it only needs minimal energy input from fossil fuels. Starting from these base raw materials, vBc3000 produces ceramic materials which meet the needs of constructions built to High Environmental Quality standards.VBc3000 bricks and lightened granules are substitution materials that help to preserve limited natural resources.

.The vbc3000 process comprises the mixing of partially dried sludges with clay followed by shaping to form the required products such as bricks or granules. These are then dried and heated to a temperature of about 1000 to 1200°C according to the type of clay used.The drying of the materials then their heating with a temperature about 1000 to 1200 according to the kind of the used clay..

During the heating process the mineralization of the organic content of the sludges creates porosity in the material that reduces density or even expands the material and releases the necessary energy for the process to work. The heavy metals present in the sludge and clayey minerals are thereby trapped in the ceramic matrix.The vbc3000 process also demonstrates the advantage of being able to combine the following up-stream materials as the clay matrix : rubble and hardcore from public works, clayey fines washed out from mineral extraction processes, and sediments from dredging and flushing-out operations.Vbc3000’s ceramic products, with high added technical value, can therefore be seen as the result of a double transformation of materials usually thrown away and of sludges. 

Source : VBC 3000

AKAENO : Biological treatment of industrial wastewater

Akaeno is a french company specialized in the biological treatment of industrial effluents. Its business is to develop, through tools of biotechnology, processes that eliminate specific pollutants in the water generated by the activity industry before they can be released outside the sites production.

Akaeno’s objective is to provide cutting-edge 21st century environmental solutions for industries facing environmental issues today. Leveraging the expertise offered by their water treatment professionals, they have taken on the global challenge of handling wastewater and waste generated by industrial activities.

Akaeno develops solutions that are carefully adapted to each specific type of pollutant. Their unique processes eliminate a high proportion of waste with relatively small installations and significantly reduced operating costs. 
Today, Akaeno leverages two patented processes, Enolys and Enotaï, which are highly efficient tools that provide a solution for respecting standards without adversely affecting margins for customers who place their trust in us.

In December 2005, capital injection by two investment firms gave them the resources needed to continue developing the company. The heart of the expertise of Akaeno lies in its ability to define the "cocktail" bioactivities and the process adapted to the specific pollutant treat.

All processes developed by Akaeno are compact and can generate no waste. It is a revolution in the sense that now treat this waste is more expensive than treating the water !

Source : Akaeno 

SENS-INNOV launches rapid chemical test

 

The company Sens-Innov has developed Senso +, a portable rapid diagnosis of air, water, against pathogens, pesticides and other heavy metals ... The company was founded, with the help of Bretagne Valorisation de Rennes Atalante and the regional incubator Emergys by Olivier Lavastre, a researcher at the Joint Research Unit Sciences Chimiques du CNRS-Université de Rennes 1 and Stephane Burban, Engineer of Mines. 

Sens-Innov developed of chemical test systems for rapid and portable applications in both industrial and environmental. Its technology is based on a multi-sensor that can detect early heavy metals, pesticides and other pathogens, to prevent risk of contamination of sea water, river or consumption. 

Senso + is in the form of a box containing the electronics and information processing at the end which is attached a tab disposable. The nature of the carrier strip plots analysis of specific pollutant is to detect and may only be used once to avoid any contamination likely to render the results invalid. This multi-sensor is capable of rapid analysis and low cost with ease of use and design of the tabs. 

This innovation is likely to concern health professionals, the environment, but also the food of the defense industry, customs and aerospace, etc..

Source : Industries et Technologies

More information : Sens-Innov 

Tyca reveals lamps that could absorb CO2

Pierre Calleja is the talented inventor of a process that is already revolutionary : the lamp absorber of CO2. Pierre Calleja runs the innovative company named Tyca based in Libourne (Gironde) and specializing in aquaculture and aquariology. At a time when everyone is looking for solutions to counteract the pollution in our cities (especially pollution), he had the idea to develop a CO2 canister lamp. 

It is equipped with a tank containing micro algae to absorb CO2, to issue in exchange for oxygen, while continuing to grow in the light. The lamp of this patent was filed by Tyca that had already been contacted not only by private customers, but also by large groups such as Vinci. The city of Libourne in turn could be one of the first laboratories of real experience of the lamp. This lamp absorber of CO2 is not yet commercially available.Car parks, tunnels, stations and buildings could develop in the future streetlights Calleja.

A revolutionary solution for its efficiency, since a lighting of 1.5 m3 can capture 1 ton of CO2 per year. Multiplied by the number of fixtures that exist in a city as Paris and it is the Amazon forest that is planted on our streets!

Source : Daylife

A Rush of investment funds on the French cleantech

69 % of french investment fund specializing in venture capital technology are willing to invest in energy and cleantech in the coming months, according to the first survey conducted by Aelios Financings.

The cleantech coming in fifth position, behind the internet and e-commerce (88%), telecommunications (88%), electronics / hardware (81%) and software (81%). 

Funds specializing in the development of more mature companies are interested in cleantech: 39% are willing to invest specifically in this market, as well as in the software or distribution. Not to mention that 46% of development funds to all interested sectors, including cleantech therefore. 

For companies in the sector in search of funds, a new even more interesting that no shortage of money. The funds do not slow down their investments in the next six months: the venture capital fund tech companies ready to invest, on average, between 9 and 13 million euros each. And development funds are ready to put them between 9 and 16 million each on the table, on average. 

If one considers that there are 40 funds specializing in risk assets in France, between 350 and 650 million euros would be available for innovative SMEs in the next six months. And on the basis of 30 funds involved in the development, between 250 and 550 million would be available for SME growth. This will be a little less than in 2008, but investments would remain supported. 

"France is in an exceptional situation, much better than its neighbors: through mutual funds in the innovation, investment funds proximity abatement measures for persons subject to the ISF, which invest in SMEs, there is money available, "says Patrick Vignaud. 

"The cleantech companies are among the best placed to benefit," he says. Only flat: young companies will find themselves competing with more mature companies, which, failing to find money on the side of banks, are turning to investment funds. 

The survey was conducted between 16 and 23 January to 62 investment funds French. 

Source : Greenunivers

More information : Greenunivers article

LEOSPHERE : Wind lidar for wind energy

The profitability of a wind farm project depends on two major challenges: reducing the uncertainty about the expected production and reducing the project risks and cost. Every uncertainty regarding the forecasted wind resources becomes critical. 

So why estimate the wind data at 150m when you can measure it directly?

Leosphere is an independant, private incorporated firm sponsored by the main French and European Institutions promoting innovation: Ministry of Research and Technologies, CNRS, CEA, ONERA, Ministry of Sustainable Development, European Space Agency, Eurocontrol. The company was established thanks to the common wish from several LIDAR research experts to create a first-rank European LIDAR company.

Leosphere developed The Windcube™ which has brought an alternative by offering a compact, secured and easy to set up Wind Lidar with unmatched performances tested by independent organizations.

Main applications are :

- Power curve verification

- Model calibration

- Initial site assessment

- Micro sitting

- Wind profiles and 3D mapping of wind 

- Circulation for complex site evaluation

- Impact of vertical profile and turbulences on turbine efficiency 

Operational? Easy to setup and re setup, autonomous (light maintenance), the Windcube™ acts like any other meteorological sensor.Cost and time effective? Save the time to request a construction permits or to raise a high mast and accelerate the assessment period. Not to mention the offshore situations. Reduce risk? With easy and mobile wind measurements up to 200m, reduce the uncertainty on vertical and horizontal correlation of site assessments models. In complex sites, get real turbulences and wind shear measurements. 

So why innovate? Windcube™ will provide you with the flexibility of a mobile sensor and the performances of a 200m met mast.

More information : www.leosphere.com

Source : Leosphere

LAB SA : The leading specialist in Flue Gas Cleaning

Since its formation in 1953, LAB has evolved into a worldwide turnkey supplier of flue gas cleaning equipment and turnkey system for waste-to-energy plants. By fullfilling the flue gas cleaning needs of generations of its clients, LAB has accumulated an unrivaled range of technologies and experience with which to provide the optimal solution for each project. As a member of CNIM Group, LAB is the focal point for flue gas cleaning activity. 

LAB offers a complete range of unmatched processes: 

- Dry, semi-dry, wet, hybrid processes for dust and heavy metals removal and neutralization of acid gases,

- Wet DEDIOXLAB®, SCR and SNCR processes for removal of dioxins/furans and nitrogen oxides.

European leader in flue gas cleaning LAB is today a greater participant of environmental protection to serve industry and municipalities. CNIM acquired LAB SA from the LAB GROUP. The CNIM Group is involved in Waste to Energy Systems throughout Europe, Scandinavia and the UK. The CNIM Group installed inventory now totals.

Source : CNIM 

More information : CNIM GROUP

VERITE : Bioenvironmental technologies

Verité is a french company specialized in technologies applied to the environment. The company offers to both industry and local authorities,  two products : Avelbio®, the biological treatment of piped odours by bioscrubbing, and Orgawatt®, energy production from biomass and organic waste gasification.Vérité has developed a technological expertise in the biological treatment of piped odours and in energy production from biomass and organic waste gasification. Being environmentally conscious, Vérité includes improvements in working conditions and the acceptance of its projects on social and economic grounds in its approach.

Avelbio 

The bioscrubbing process eliminates odours found in piped gaseous effluents.The process is based on a two-stage treatment: transfer of the odorant molecules via a washing phase in a gas-liquid contactor followed by biodegradation of the transferred compounds in an activated sludge basin. This biological regeneration enables the washing solution to be used in a closed circuit. By separating the two stages in two distinct reactors,each process can be optimized.

Orgawatt

Vérité has developed an expertise in energy production from biomass and organic waste gasification (pig manure, poultry litter, wood, WWTP sludge, refuse of slaughter-house).The Orgawatt® process consists of a gasification reactor, a device to purify and cool the lean gas, a heat production system and associated equipment. Cogeneration 

produces thermic and electrical energy simultaneously by the addition of an internal combustion engine or a gas turbine.

Source : Vérité SA

More information : http://www.bioverite.com