Zapping water with an electrical current to produce clean energy is not a new concept. It’s called water electrolysis and even though it has been proven to work, it hasn’t yet yielded levels of efficiency that would make it a strong candidate for replacing established sources of energy production as a standalone process. However, while water electrolysis may not be on the verge of revolutionizing clean energy production, Xogen Technologies, an Orangeville-based cleantech company, is making use of the science for something that is just as important: wastewater treatment.

Xogen’s technology was originally intended to separate water molecules into a 2:1 mixture of hydrogen and oxygen gas to be used as a source of emission-free energy. However, it was found when this same technology was immersed in sludge (biosolids) for the initial purpose of removing water, the resulting treatment was surprising; significant degradation of organic material and inactivation of microorganisms such as e-coli. This discovery prompted Xogen to shift its focus to wastewater treatment. The company then proceeded to test the technology on biosolids and raw sewage, demonstrating removal of pathogens and organic material in a fraction of the time taken by conventional treatment methods—all without the addition of chemicals. As a by product, a mixture of hydrogen and oxygen gas is produced by the process and can be captured and used to generate energy through combustion or a fuel cell — energy that can be sold back to the grid or re-used to help further reduce costs. In 2007 Xogen began a research collaboration with the University of Toronto to assist with the commercialization of its technology for wastewater treatment. This collaboration involves 4 departments at the university, including 4 professors and 7 graduate & post graduate students and has been jointly funded by Xogen, the Ontario Centres of Excellence and NSERC.

The emission-free technology has garnered global interest and currently holds 22 patents worldwide. Xogen envisions itself providing wastewater treatment to municipalities and industries within ten years. In the meantime, with the help of funding from the Sustainable Development Technology Canada and the Ontario Ministry of Research and Innovation, the company plans to install its first demonstration plant in Orangeville, Ontario, where it will treat a side stream of influent at a rate of 20 litres per minute.

Xogen took a major step towards commercialization of its pioneering wastewater treatment and renewable energy technology with the announcement on September 10 from Sustainable Development Technology Canada (SDTC) that a project led by the company has been awarded funding to design, build and demonstrate a pilot project at the Water Pollution Control Plant in Orangeville, Ontario.

Design and construction of the pilot project is expected to be completed in 2010. Once operational, the Xogen pilot plant will divert a small portion of raw sewage through its reactor on a continuous flow basis in order to demonstrate its viability for municipal wastewater treatment. The treated wastewater will be returned to Orangeville's Water Pollution Control Plant for ultimate discharge to the receiving stream. An objective third party will evaluate the results. With data obtained from the pilot, Xogen will be able to refine the technology for commercial use in both Canadian and international markets.

"This is a major step forward for our commercialization plans," said Angella Hughes, CEO of Xogen. "Our patented technology has huge potential both here and internationally to revolutionize the wastewater treatment industry. This pilot plant will help us take development to the next level and demonstrate the efficacy of the technology."

For more information, visit the company website at www.xogen.ca.

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