Development of a Process at the Industrial Research Center
of Shiga Prefecture to Add Sludge from Lake Biwa to Zeolite
|
The Industrial Research Center of Shiga Prefecture (located in Ritto-cho,Kurita-gun) recently announced the successful development of a water purification material using the mineral zeolite and sludge from Lake Biwa. In a collaborative research project with Ryukoku University, this purification material can absorb phosphor and nitrogen, which are causing the eutrophication of Lake Biwa. This idea kills two birds with one stone by utilizing waste zeolite and sludge, which is difficult to handle, and is being targeted for use in water purification at Lake Biwa. Expectations are rising for the practical application of this material.
Three years ago the research center began collaborative research with Ryukoku University on water purification material using Ohya stone chips taken from cutting sites. By performing an ion exchange on zeolite, it was discovered that phosphor, a substance hard to handle with conventional absorbents, could also be eliminated. The research also dealt with the processing of sludge that develops when Lake Biwa is dredged, and the sludge was added to the purification material. The center has applied for a patent for the material. Akira Maekawa, an assistant department head who has worked on the development of the material, states, "We hope to put this technology into practical application. If we can make this a possibility, industries within the prefecture will be able to apply the results and know-how from this research, and this will lead to commercializing the technology and creating new industries in Shiga." |
