Bio-filtration

Waste Management

One of the most useful characteristics of willow production is the willow species ability to effectively consume waste and industry by-products as part of its natural growth cycle – a process known as bio-filtration. This is an effective, sustainable and environmentally friendly way of treating a waste product and one which does not allow the produce to re-enter the human food chain.

NPS were the first company to demonstrate bio-filtration on a large scale using willow in 2003 and proved the concept using a large scale brewery liquid trial, which was monitored independently by experts from the soil and hydrology sciences. From there we have gone on to successfully establish and manage three large scale individual willow plantations using liquid waste streams and one further farm bio-filtering semi-solid municipal waste water treatment plant sludge.

Bio-filtration Set-up:-

NPS have developed a successful template of nutrient management planning which has been accepted by all the local authorities in the environmental monitoring of these sites. This plan takes into account the analysis of the waste substance, the soil analysis and the yield capacity of the site and then calculates the exact amount required on a hectare by hectare basis.

Bio-filtration plantation design requirements:-

Waste distribution and storage systems differ with each individual waste stream and individual site. The first step which NPS undertake when designing a plantation is in the layout the fields in the plantation and sowing patterns of the willow. This facilitates the effective application of the waste streams at a later date.

Applying the material to the willow:-

The methods of application of the waste materials is of great importance, ranging from the precise application of easily pumpable liquid brewery waste to the largely solid WWTP sludge.

Storage:-

Storage and storage systems is a large part of the bio-filtration process. Again NPS have used, and have experience in, a range of storage options and solutions (many specifically constructed for this purpose) to define the best option for a range of different waste materials and site conditions.


Please contact us to find out more about bio-filtration using willow and to find a bio-filtration solution for your waste stream.