Econvert-EGSB® (Expanded Granular Sludge Bed) - Anaerobic Treatment

Your challenges

Econvert IR reactor for anaerobic industrial wastewater treatment

Strict discharge regulations and high discharge fees

Discharge regulations of wastewater in the sewer system are becoming stricter, and the discharge fees for discharging wastewater are continuously increasing. Econvert-EGSB^® reduces pollutants in the wastewater, enabling compliance with regulations while lowering your carbon footprint.

High wastewater treatment costs

Aerobic treatment systems often require significant energy and high sludge handling costs. Due to low aeration needs, minimal sludge production, and reduced chemical consumption, Econvert-EGSB^® offers lower operational costs.

Rising energy costs

Energy costs continue to rise. Econvert-EGSB^® converts wastewater into biogas, which can be used on-site to generate electricity, heat or fuel – increasing energy self-sufficiency. Additionally, the reactor requires on average 80% less aeration energy than aerobic alternatives.

Sustainability and carbon footprint goals

There is pressure for companies to become more sustainable and to achieve certain sustainability goals. Econvert-EGSB^® helps reduce emissions and allows companies to recover energy, helping you toward reaching net-zero targets or green certifications.

Space limitations

Industrial sites often struggle with space limitations for production and logistics. Our reactors can be built over 30 meters tall, making anaerobic treatment possible in very compact footprints. Flexible sizing options allow integration even in constrained environments.

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The process

Anaerobic biomass (granular sludge) present inside the Econvert-EGSB^® reactor converts organic components into biogas. This biogas mainly consists of methane (CH₄), carbon dioxide (CO₂). The separation of water, granular sludge and biogas takes place at the top of the anaerobic reactor. The Econvert-EGSB^® reactor is equipped with an external recirculation of the effluent, which is mixed with the incoming wastewater (influent) in order to optimize the COD concentration in the reactor. The external recirculation is carried out by a standpipe. The Econvert-EGSB^® reactor has the ability to load the system up to 25 kg COD/m³ reactor volume/day

Our positive impact

The optimized reactor

Econvert EGSB reactor for anaerobic industrial wastewater treatment

Unique patented 3-phase separator

The patented Econvert-EGSB^®3-phase separators separate water, sludge and biogas to maintain the granules inside the reactor – all within a single module. With no external piping needed, clogging risks are minimized. Econvert-EGSB^®is easy to operate.

Flexible design

The Econvert-EGSB^® has a flexible height-to-diameter, allowing custom sizing based on your specific space and capacity needs. A small footprint, low height or other ideal height-to-diameter ratio can be designed. The reactor design supports a relatively high sludge volume in the reactor. The high sludge volume and proven influent distribution system enable a high volumetric loading rate up to 25 kg COD/m³per day.

No odor nuisance

Due to the completely gas-tight systems you don’t have to worry about odor nuisance for the surroundings of your site. The fully gas-tight system is an intrinsic safe set-up reducing the chance of any exposure or emissions of biogas.

Suitable for retrofitting

Existing non-performing or old anaerobic reactors can be retrofitted with Econvert-EGSB^® technology. If the existing geometry isn’t suitable, Econvert-UASB^®or Econvert-IR^® technologies can be installed as alternatives.

No clogging

From influent distribution to the 3-phase separators, all internals are designed to prevent clogging. In case of severe circumstances for clogging (struvite, calcium), the reactor is equipped with a heavy sludge removal system to maintain operation even in the most challenging circumstances.

Econvert-EGSB Anaerobic Wastewater treatment

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

An Expanded Granular Sludge Bed (EGSB) reactor is an advanced anaerobic wastewater treatment system. It is a tall, narrow version of an upflow anaerobic sludge blanket (UASB) reactor. EGSB installations use high upward water flow speeds to expand the bed of active microbial granules, which breaks down high levels of COD resulting in re-usable biogas.