Research areas

Principal Investigator:

Mads Albertsen (Section of Biotechnology, Aalborg University)

Aim:

To develop robust methods for on-site and on-line sample preparation, DNA sequencing and bioinformatic processing of data.

Deliverables:

• Robust and simple protocols for DNA extraction on-site, proof-of-concept DNA
• Sequencing using the Illumina sequencing technology at AAU and on-site DNA sequencing using the Oxford Nanopore technology.
• Development of bioinformatic pipeline

Principal Investigator:

Per Halkjær Nielsen (Section of Biotechnology, Aalborg University)

Aim:

To establish control strategies for optimal activity of polyphosphate accumulating organisms (PAO) without, or with minimal, iron addition and to obtain a good PAO community for optimal P-release in digesters for subsequent P-recovery.

Deliverables:

• Control strategies for minimal dosage of iron to support optimal PAO activity. To obtain the best PAO composition for P-release in digesters for P-recovery.

Principal Investigator:

Per Henrik Nielsen (VandCenterSyd)

Aim:

To disseminate the knowledge obtained and the use of the developed control platform.

Deliverables:

• Dissemination of new knowledge and demonstration of the new control platform using scientific papers and MiDAS (http://midasfieldguide.org/), conferences, workshops and national popular media.

Principal Investigator:

Aviaja A. Hansen (Krüger A/S)

Aim:

To develop a commercial platform for microbial surveillance and early warning in activated sludge systems.

Deliverables:

• Plant specific control parameters with reference communities and key organisms, user friendly software interface with control instruction, validation of control platform in pilot scale and in full scale and commercial control platform.

Principal Investigator:

Per Halkjær Nielsen (Section of Biotechnology, Aalborg University)

Aim:

To establish control strategies for efficient removal of nitrogen by the anammox process, primarily a combined sidestream-mainstream process, and for addition of C-sources to optimize conventional denitrification.

Deliverables:

• Control strategies for efficient removal of nitrogen by the anammox process and for addition of C-sources for optimal conventional denitrification.

Principal Investigator:

Per Halkjær Nielsen (Section of Biotechnology, Aalborg University)

Aim:

To establish control strategies for efficient on-line control of unwanted foaming and poor settling in WWTPs.

Deliverables:

Strategies for efficient control of microorganisms causing foaming and bulking, identification of bacteria responsible for poor floc formation in WWTPs.

Principal Investigator:

Aviaja A. Hansen (Krüger A/S)

Aim:

To showcase online monitoring of DNA on a full-scale WWTP.

Deliverables:

• A showcase of efficient monitoring of microbial communities from a full-scale WWTP and new control strategies of a full-scale WWTP using the DNA surveillance platform.