Innovation Exchange Challenge – Solidification of Leachate Concentration

Deadline: 14-Jul-23

DCLM (operated by Veolia) is seeking solutions utilising innovative solidification agents that can deal with large and increasing volumes of concentrate.

This Innovation Exchange challenge, delivered by Innovate UK KTN through the Global Alliance Africa project, is supporting DCLM (operated by Veolia) to find economically viable ways to solidify the concentrate of their effluent treatment plant.

These solutions should aim to solidify the concentrate utilising innovative solidification agents (alternatives to the current agents: ash and lime) in an environmentally friendly way. The goal is to effectively block any toxins from causing ground contamination.

DCLM will provide current leachate analysis for technical specs (requiring NDA). Following solidification, innovative methods of concentrate valorisation would be particularly welcome for industry use. Using any by-products from alternate industries will produce higher value solutions in terms of business responsibility.

Sectors

Solutions are invited from, but not limited to, the following sectors:

• Waste management
• Transport
• Water
• Environmental services
• Manufacturing
• Chemistry
• Engineering
• Industrial biology

Rewards and Benefits

• Up to GBP 25,000 seed funding
• Opportunity to pitch your solution to Veolia
• Collaboration/partnership with DCLM/Veolia
• Technical support and Mentorship from DCLM/Veolia team
• Mentorship programme facilitated by KTN
• Sector expertise from KTN
• Support in the development of a prototype or pilot
• Invitation to attend or present at KTN events
• Investor introductions (if investment is required)
• Application support for any Innovate UK or similar competitions that are relevant

Eligibility Criteria

• Entrants to this competition must be:
  • Established businesses, start-ups, SMEs or individual entrepreneurs.
  • Africa-based entrants, UK-based entrants and those from RoW are invited to apply.
• Due Diligence requirements for seed funding:
  • Applicants must ensure that receiving the £25k seed funding will not exceed the £315,000 state aid threshold under UK Minimal Financial Assistance regulations over the current and last 2 fiscal years [or 200,000 euros for applicants affected by EC de minimis regulations].
  • Further information will be required later relating to company policies, financial history and recent grant funding received.
• Applications will be assessed on:
  • Relevance to the topic
  • Innovative nature of the subject
  • Coherence of the proposed business model
  • Feasibility/ economic viability
  • Development potential
  • Maturity of project/solution
  • Ability to launch project quickly/Ease of implementation
  • Price/quality ratio
  • Suitability for the South African Market
• Operating Conditions
  • Solutions to be able to be used or operated between Monday and Friday 7am to 3.30pm.
  • Solution to be implemented in wet and dry weather conditions.
  • Solution must not be odorous.
  • Solution should operate in normal temperatures and light levels.

Requirements

• Functional Requirements
  • The identified solution must/should address the following:
    • Deal with 40m3 of concentrate per working day.
    • Be applicable on DCLM landfill site.
    • Be able to be integrated with DCLM’s current effluent treatment plant.
    • Be practical for the South African environment.
    • Solution must be applicable in modular format, so it may be scaled progressively.
• Technical Requirements
  • Solutions must be able to solidify the concentrate in 1 to 2 days (high priority).
  • Solution must be able to deal with hazardous materials.
  • Solution must be sustainable with the intent to reduce carbon emissions.
  • Solution to be non-exothermic.
  • Byproducts from alternative industries are desirable.
  • Solutions involving valorisation for industrial use are desirable.

For more information, visit DCLM.