Xogen Technologies Inc. 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.

The patented Xogen technology treats raw wastewater using an electrolytic process that not only eliminates biosolids but also requires a much smaller footprint than conventional treatment approaches, thereby lowering capital costs. As a byproduct, the process produces a mixture of hydrogen and oxygen gas that can be 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.

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.”

Xogen has assembled a multi-disciplinary team of leading researchers and specialized technology companies to assist with the design, build and testing of the pilot plant, including University of Toronto for research and product development, the Town of Orangeville as pilot plant host, Orangeville Hydro for electricity metering and monitoring, Linde Canada Limited for hydrogen oxygen gas handling, recovery and monetization and Newalta as channel partner.

SDTC will provide up to $2 million for the project.

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