EARGE is an academic startup established in 2017 at University Technopark (Izmir/Türkiye) to provide model-supported (PHREEQC, ADM1) innovative process technology development and smart management solution for acid drainage, drinking and wastewater treatment projects. In two different R&D projects, site and project specific acid drainage retardation/prevention (and waste storage strategy development) and industrial wastewater treatment-recovery plant (IWWT-RP) design were developed. IWWTRP has advanced technology that can treat wastewater from 9 different industrial production units with automation in 11 programs and provide minimum 70% water recovery (TRL6). In addition, in our university's scientific R&D project, water mixing ratios, pollutant fate and quality trends in unintentional storage and unmanaged aquifer recharge (domestic and geothermal wastewater, precipitation, reservoir, river, neighboring aquifer) were determined in a sub-basin where groundwater levels are declining (water scarcity). Our pollutant-based process selection and management study methodology includes monitoring of treatment-recovery process input-output mass balance and reaction kinetics with sensors, validation-verification with data, comparison with mechanistic and empirical model data, development of intelligent process control, determination of optimal installation-operation technology and economics.
Topic 1. Enhancement of water circularity in industries
Topic 2. Urban water circularity
Topic 3. Resource recovery and valorization
We are looking for a collaboration opportunity in projects involving industrial wastewater treatment, water reuse at rates approaching 100% (zero liquid discharge) and recovery of valuable waste from concentrate. Process design and operation can be related to physical, chemical, aerobic (including municipal wastewater) and anaerobic (ADM1) processes. As a partner, our process solution contribution could be the development of pilot plants using innovative and industry-adaptable processes for treatment and recovery, the conversion of already existing conventional plants (automated operation, new process additions) or collaboration on the recovery of mixed water-materials from different sectors. We can also support projects targeting process management with physical and soft sensors (deep learning and machine learning). We carry out our work under the corporate identities of our University and EARGE.