The SPN-Group conducts research within the area of Urban Wastewater Engineering. The main research areas are: wastewater process engineering of sewers and treatment plants, urban and highway runoff pollution and receiving water impacts. The research approach is multidisciplinary and includes aspects of microbiology, chemistry and hydrology.

The research efforts of the SPN-Group are based on experimental investigations and field studies. Experiments are conducted in bench-scale, pilot-scale and full-scale. The SPN-Group has excellent laboratory facilities at its disposal for conducting bench scale and pilot scale experiments. The laboratory facilities are equipped with state-of-the-art analytical equipment such as:

	Inductively Coupled Plasma - Optical Emission Spectroscopy (ICP-OES).
	High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC).
	Ion chromatography (IC)
	Gas chromatography - Mass spectrometry (GC-MS)
	Microwave assisted acid digestion of samples.
	Microsensors for biofilm and sediment studies.

In addition, the SPN-Group is experienced with design and construction of experimental setups. This ensures a high degree of flexibility in the experimental studies.

Figure 1. Respirometers for determination of wastewater components developed by the SPN-Group.

The SPN-Group is responsible for operating a sewer research and monitoring station. This unique facility allows experiments to be conducted with continuous supply of wastewater directly from the sewer. Such experimental conditions are otherwise impossible to replicate in conventional laboratories. In addition, the sewer research and monitoring station is equipped with rain gauges and flow meters, which allow online measurements of dry and wet weather flow (click here for more info).

The SPN-group is currently involved in a project that aims at implementing and demonstrating technologies that can efficiently reduce diffuse urban pollutant loads onto receiving waters. Focus is on the removal of phosphorous and toxic substances (heavy metals and organic micropollutants) from stormwater flows in different urban areas. As part of the project, 3 wet detention ponds for treating stormwater runoff will be constructed. The ponds will be extended with filtration and absorption units for removal of small particles and colloidal and soluble bound pollutants, and will be equipped for on-line monitoring of the treatment performance. The project is funded by the EU-LIFE program and is entitled TREASURE (Treatment and re-use of urban stormwater runoff by innovative technologies for removal of pollutants). Additional information can be found at the project website: www.life-treasure.com.
 

The SPN-Group has a long tradition of collaborating with local municipalities and private companies’. This has made it possible for the SPN-Group to conduct full-scale experiments as well as field studies. For such purposes, the SPN-Group is in possession of a wide range of field proven analytical equipment capable of on-site measurement as well as equipment for continuous sample collection.

A key element of the research approach of the SPN-Group is the development of conceptual models as a means of systematizing the knowledge obtained from the experimental studies. One example is the WATS model, which has reached a state, where the processes can be predicted and applied for engineering purposes. This approach has numerous applications such as wastewater quality with respect to treatment, the management of odors and hydrogen sulfide related corrosion. The conceptual understanding is subject to continuous modification as the process knowledge develops.