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Pilot project + €10.000,- vouchers

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deadline verlopen

In the process industry, seawater is used to cool process streams, but to prevent macro-pollution due to the growth of bivalves such as mussels and oysters in the inlet station and pipelines, this water must first be treated. Mussels and oysters attach to surfaces as larvae, a few millimetres in size, before reaching their mature size of more than 10 centimetres. The most commonly used method is the application of sodium hypochlorite, but much of the free sodium hypochlorite is lost due to reactions with organic compounds that occur naturally in seawater, leading to the unintentional formation of organic chlorine compounds. In addition, the calcium present in the seawater forms hard deposits when it comes into contact with free sodium hypochlorite, causing relatively high maintenance costs to guaranteed the continued functioning of the dosing system.

The seawater is pumped up from the Westerschelde by a permanent pumping station, which is equipped with a prefilter and belt filter to prevent macro-pollution. From the pumping station, the water first passes through surge towers to prevent siphoning, before being led towards the plants where it is used as a coolant for process flowers. The current chemical treatment process consists of applying sodium hydrochlorite at various points of the initial part of the seawater distribution network.

From a production point of view, clogging caused by the accumulation of macro-pollution in the cooling water pipelines and heat exchangers is a serious problem. Ultimately, this results in production losses due to reduced heat transfer and malfunctioning heat exchangers. Hard deposits in the dosing system caused by the chemical reaction of sodium hypochlorite and calcium lead to additional maintenance costs.

The Terneuzen plant pumps up seawater at a rate of approximately 10 m3/s, adding approximately 1 to 2 mg/l of sodium hypochlorite. Terneuzen is the only plant that uses seawater as coolant, but there are several other major users of seawater in the Netherlands. On top of that, there are several other production sites owned by Dow and other processing companies that use untreated river water, where the same problems occur.

The innovation objective is twofold: effective ecological seawater purification and the elimination of macro-pollution. Ideally, the solution should also work for freshwater systems, so that it can also be used at other production sites. In freshwater systems, the growth of exotic species such as zebra mussels presents a similar problem.

What are we looking for?
The objective is to find an ecological alternative to sodium hypochlorite to prevent the bio-fouling by mussels and oysters in the coolant system, subject to the conditions that the proposed method may not form unwanted halogenated products and is at least as effective as the current method. The proposed technique/solution may still be in the testing phase, provided that it can be proven to be effective by means of a pilot with a sub-stream without adversely affecting the production process. The current method with sodium hypochlorite prevents bio-fouling in the systems, but the prefilter, belt filter and sodium hypochlorite injection system do require frequent maintenance.

What aren't we looking for?
Alternative halogenated oxidising agents which, to some extent, form organohalogen compounds.

What's in it for you?
We are looking for a partnership to take promising technologies from the idea phase to the lab scale and a pilot installation.

Dow Benelux is a subsidiary of Dow Chemical, one of the world’s leading Materials Science companies. Our ambition is to become the most innovative, customer-centric, inclusive and sustainable Materials Science company in the world, and we are always on the lookout for partners to achieve our ambitious goals.

Along with our network partners, we are always looking for innovative solutions to minimise the impact of our industry on the environment.

We are an active member of the Institute for Sustainable Process Technology (ISPT), which sees us working with other companies and knowledge institutes to develop and implement sustainable processes.

We are also an active member of Capture, an initiative set up by the University of Ghent to accelerate radical technological innovations in the field of sustainable resource recovery through multidisciplinary collaboration between stakeholders with a clear focus on valorisation.

On top of that, we participate in various EU-funded cross-company consortium projects dedicated to resource recovery and the use and re-use of industrial wastewater.

Chance to win a €20,000 contract to develop and test a prototype/pilot with us.
Chance to work in a testing environment.
Interesting partner network.
Chance of a follow-up project, opportunity to scale up the pilot, or a lasting partnership after a successful pilot
On top of that, you can count on the support of and cooperation with creative, inspiring specialists who will challenge you to keep improving your product.

How can BioVoice benefit you?
An Innovation Contract. After concluding an innovation contract, you can get started with the development process. You'll have access to:

funding (€10,000 vouchers, to be spend in the regional ecosystem on, for example, lab- and demo-facilities, NDA or IP advice, etc.)
(international) markets
knowledge and partners
resources and research facilities
business and upscaling opportunities
and: a launching customer!

The BioVoice programme
BioVoice is an initiative of REWIN West-Brabant, Green Chemistry Campus, the joint Rabobanks of Southwest Netherlands and the province of Noord-Brabant. Together, we want to give innovative entrepreneurs and up-and-coming bio-based/circular talents the space and opportunities to develop and market their idea/product in order to realise our common goal: accelerating the transition to a sustainable economy

Conditions for participation
We are looking for innovative solutions, so we are open to all serious entries.

Your pitch (max 6 pages / 18 slides)

Description of the concept:
Describe your concept as concretely as possible.
Description of the pilot:
Give a short description of what will be needed to make a prototype/set up a pilot and what you will need from us.
Team description:
Give a short description of the company and team that will be working on the pilot.

There are no requirements regarding the type of pitch (presentation/slide deck, letter), but it must be uploaded as a PDF file (landscape or portrait A4) and the file size may not exceed 30 MB). Videos, draft websites, etc. can be included as links.
Pitches in English are allowed.

Challenge timeline - changed because of corona - read more

2nd March 2020: Challenge launches - open for entries
8th May 2020 - 17.00 uur: Challenge deadline - entries must be submitted before 5 am
15th May 2020 at the latest: Shortlist announcement - Announcement of which start-ups/scale-ups will be invited to introduce and explain their solution
Week of 25th May or 1st of June: Digital introduction talks challengers/entrants + information sessions on IP and NDA's
September ‘20: Work sessions, during which challengers & entrants seek to conclude innovation contracts + voucher granting
End of September 2020: Closing event - celebrating the innovation contracts and partnerships resulting from the challenge + voucher hand-outs
June 2020: Start of development & partnership (pilot)

Questions?

Questions regarding the content of this challenge can be asked via the discussion page.
More information on the BioVoice programme can be obtained through this pagina.

Background information on Dow
Dow combines the power of science and technology with the ‘Human Touch’ to continuously improve everything we need to guarantee the progress of the human race. The company connects chemistry and innovation with the principles of sustainability.

In Terneuzen, Dow operates three naphtha crackers (LHC 1, 2 and 3, with LHC standing for Light HydroCarbons), which form the heart of the company. This is where naphtha and LPG are converted into the basic raw materials needed to produce plastics.

The naphtha, a petroleum fraction, is first heated to over 850° C, before being cooled to minus 130° C. During the heating process, the naphtha molecules are ‘cracked’, or split into various substances such as ethylene, propylene, benzene and butadiene, the four most important raw materials used in Dow’s production processes.

The Dow Industrial Park in Terneuzen employs around 3000 people, 1700 of whom work directly for Dow. Dow Terneuzen is also home to the headquarters of Dow Benelux, which has 20 production plants and produces 6 million tonnes of chemicals and plastics every year.

Dow has 37,000 employees worldwide and is represented on all continents. At Dow, we don't just talk about sustainability, but work on innovative solutions with each other, and with our partners on a daily basis. Initiatives that contribute to our 2025 Dow Sustainability goals. Currently, there are over 600 on-going projects that are working on our seven Dow Sustainability goals. Examples of our latest projects include the large-scale reuse of wastewater (both industrial wastewater and wastewater of the municipality of Terneuzen), Carbon2Value, a carbon upgrading project, collaboration within the energy transition in the framework of the SDR platform (Smart Delta Resources and the supply of H2 to Yara, thus valorising a waste stream by reusing it as a raw material. Many of these projects involve collaborations with other industries and knowledge institutions through ISPT, TKI projects, Interreg and H2020.

anoniem 05-03-2020reageer
Is dit probleem met de aangroei van mosselen en oesters in de loop der jaren erger geworden? Is er iets te zeggen over de seizoensmatige aspecten, c.q. wanneer deze aangroei het sterkst is? Treedt er met de huidige behandeling van het zeewater helemaal geen schelpdiergroei op?

Dow 06-03-2020reageer
Based on operational experience the issue has not become worse over the years. It is seasonal, depending on the breeding season for mussels, practically we are only dosing when the seawater temperature is above 10degC (April-October). I cannot verify that there is absolutely no growth with the current system, there are always mussels to be found and exchanger leaks due to mussels.

Erik van Vliet 24-03-2020reageer
Goedemorgen, Er zijn 2 oplossingen die ervoor zorgen dat een fouling laag niet op buizen kan ontstaan. Door het voorkomen van deze foulinglaag zullen er ook geen mosselen en andere beestjes aan de buizen hechten. De 2 oplossingen kunnen binnen 2 weken getest gaan worden. Deze 2 oplossingen werken langdurig en zorgen niet voor vervuiling van het water. Heeft u interesse, neem dan contact op. Grt, Erik Erik van Vliet Rottekade 157 2661 JT Bergschenhoek The Netherlands T: +31 (0)10 8222832 / +31 (0)630264550 E: info@practicalsolution.eu W: www.practicalsolution.eu/zakelijk en www.practicalsolution.eu voor de consument W: www.practicalsolution.eu/business English business website Skype: erik.van.vliet4

Dow 06-04-2020reageer
Geachte heer Van Vliet, Dank voor het indienen van uw oplossingen. Dow heeft uw pitch/aanmelding ontvangen. De aanmeldperiode loopt nog door t/m 8 mei en op 15 mei maken we bekend of u geselecteerd bent door Dow. Met hartelijke groet, Bob Houpst | Programmamanager BioVoice

Sam Smit 04-04-2020reageer
Goedendag, Aangenomen dat de inname temperatuur van het Westerschelde zeewater varieert: Winter - Zomer tussen +5 gr. C en +20 gr. C. Wat zijn de temperaturen van het effluent (max/min)? Is volumestroom van 10 m3/s constant gedurende hele jaar? Mvg. Sam.

Dow 10-04-2020reageer
Geachte heer Smit, beste Sam, Delta T is gemiddeld 10 deg C., varieert tussen 9 en 12 deg C. De flow varieert niet gedurende het jaar.

Seth W Donrovich 07-04-2020reageer
Hi - I work with Zequanox, a biological-based product for zebra and quagga mussel (freshwater species) control. Therefore, this pilot project does not match the target species/aquatic system of the product. It is also quite a large facility. However, I am interested to see if there are any facilities dealing with zebra/quagga mussels which would present a similar pilot project opportunity. A second question is what are the fouling species at this facility? It may be of interest to do a small experiment using Zequanox on the target pest. I don't know if this is a possibility. Thank you very much! Seth

Dow 10-04-2020reageer
Dear mr Donrovich, Thanks for your suggestion. Your proposed solution does not match with our specific case for this challenge. However, we will check with other Dow sites if they are struggling with zebra and quagga mussel and contact you for more information if there are opportunities at other locations,

Johan v voorde 13-04-2020reageer
Wij kunnen dit probleem aanpakken door middel van nano cavitaie ,is uitgetest in praktijk op Port Zelande in zoute water en tevens op Lapalma de Majorca ,Met deze toepassing krijgen zaadjes geen kans om te overleven of aan te kunnen hechten. tevens word bio film verwijderd in systeem, is volledig duurzaam onderhoud vrij en eenvoudig in gebruik, kan per direct worden ingezet, voor informatie kijk op www.h2o-europe.com/nl/technologie hier staat beknopte uitwerking van deze apparatuur, Temperatuur van water is voor deze werking niet van belang, u kunt mij bereiken onder telefnr 0654708109 of via mail jvdv@h20-europe.com

Dow 30-04-2020reageer
Graag zouden wij uw pitch verwelkomen in deze challenge.

Martin van Schaik 20-04-2020reageer
In een volledig onverzadigde pekeloplossing is voor het verwijderen van Chroomzout wellicht een elegante oplossing te realiseren. In welke range ligt de viscociteit, de orde van grootte van het debiet en bij welke temperatuur. Op labschaal kan een eerste experiment worden opgezet. Er wordt geen gebruik gemaakt van membranen.

Dow 29-04-2020reageer
Geachte heer van Schaik, beste Martin, Dank voor uw reactie. U heeft het over een mogelijk elegante oplossing voor een volledig onverzadiged oplossing. Heeft u een bepaalde concentratie in gedachten of bedoelde u een volledig verzadigde pekeloplossing ? De temperatuur van het kristalvormig zout zoals dit uit de centrifuge komt is omgevingstemperatuur tot ongeveer 40 deg. C. Dit is een vaste stof, vochtgehalte <10%wt. Viscositeit is hier niet van toepassing. Voor de beoogde hergebruiks toepassingen heeft het onze voorkeur om het zout ook in kritalvorm te houden (of te brengen). Dmv een wasstap met verzadigd zout kunnen we een deel van de verontreiningen uit het kristalzout verwijderen, De resulterende (verontreinigde) pekelstroom is mogelijk geschikt voor uw oplossing ? Omdat deze wasstap vnog niet verder geoptimaliseerd is, kunnen we nog geen uitspraak over debieten doen maar dit zal in de orde grootte van enkele tonnen/uur liggen. De viscositeit van de pekeloplossing (NaCl in water) is uiteraard afhankelijk van de concentratie In de literatuur en op internet zijn hiervoor wel gegevens beschikbaar. Hopelijk is hiermee uw vraag beantwoord. Mvg, Niek van Belzen, Dow Terneuzen

Stan Hakze 24-04-2020reageer
Goedenavond Gezien dat het boorplatform Perdito de hittebestendige verf van Nasa gebruikte op hun in water aanraking zijnde materiaal tegen precies hetzelfde als jullie probleem ... Een speciaal soort lak was dat zag ik op tv. Kan verder voor jullie uitzoeken welke lak dat precies was. Als het beste van het beste al bestaat , waarom dan zelf iets nog bedenken , zorgen dat je dat krijgt en gebruiken overal op jullie is beter ben ik van mening. Stanhakze@gmail.com

Dow 28-04-2020reageer
Beste Stan, Dank voor uw reactie. Dow heeft ook uw pitch/aanmelding ontvangen. De aanmeldperiode loopt nog door t/m 8 mei en op 15 mei maken we bekend of u geselecteerd bent door Dow. Met hartelijke groet, Bob Houpst | Programmamanager BioVoice

Stan Hakze 24-04-2020reageer
https://www.amazon.com/ThermaCels-Insulating-Additive-Gallon-Package/dp/B01AC5KRJ6 Dit soort verf bedoel ik , dit mix je door de gebruikelijke verf heen voor je alles schilderd voorraf. Buizen later onder water dik in de verf zetten gemengd met dit spul erdoorheen , alles onder water. Dit met zee waterspoeling erop blijft veel langer spiegelglad. Waardoor aankoeken beter in de hand te houden is met jullie chloorbehandelingen erbij. Stanhakze@gmail.com

Stan Hakze 24-04-2020reageer
Plan - De juiste verhouding van verfmengen is nodig hiervoor best werkend onder water en het testen ervan in de praktijk naast een bestaand gewoon geschilderd iets van jullie , daarna kan je t verschil zien of t daarna ook minder reinigen vergt. Stanhakze@gmail.com

Stan Hakze 24-04-2020reageer
Misschien meerdere merken dit soort speciale meng lak op dat gebied en naast elkaar testen in meerdere verhoudingen met daarna gladheidstesten / aankoektesten .. Die kant ermee op om jullie materialen onder water mee te behandelen ... denk ook dat dit in zoetwater ook wel werkt .. oke ik hoor de reactie , werk ik t netjes uit ... mvg. Stan Stanhakze@gmail.com

anoniem 28-04-2020reageer
Dear Dow, Dr. Joseph Resnick here with www.rmannco.com. I'd like to respond to this challenge but have had problem doing so in the past due to the 'language barrier' and absence of English instruction on the submissions page. Would it be possible to send our proposal directly to a POC email address at Dow as opposed to using this portal? Please reply to jreznik88@aol.com Thank you

Dow 01-05-2020reageer
Dear Mr. Resnick, Unfortunately the submission part of our platform is not in English yet. Could you please send me your proposal by email? I've sent you an email with my contact details. Many thanks and sorry for the inconvience. Kind regards, Bob Houpst | Programme Manager BioVoice

COVID-19 update

06 April 2020

NL: De coronacrisis raakt de maatschappij en economie hard. Dat laatste geldt in het bijzonder voor mkb’ers en start-ups. We begrijpen goed dat velen van jullie op dit moment vooral bezig zijn met het overeind houden van je business. Omdat we graag zoveel mogelijk ondernemers de kans geven om na te gaan of een van onze challenges voor hen wellicht een extra ijzer in het economische vuur kan betekenen, passen we deze BioVoice ronde aan, waaronder een verlenging van de aanmeldperiode tot naar vrijdag 8 mei 17.00u. Lees meer over de maatregelen die we nemen.

EN: The corona crisis has a major impact on society and the economy, and especially on SMEs and start-ups. We understand that for many of you, your main concern will be to keep your business afloat. Because we would like to give as many entrepreneurs as possible the chance to find out whether our challenges may be just the opportunity they need in today’s challenging times, we have made changes to the current edition of BioVoice, including an extension of the deadline to Friday May 8th. Read more about all the adjustments.

How can we ecologically prevent the macro-pollution (mussels and oysters) in our seawater cooling system?

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How can we ecologically prevent the macro-pollution (mussels and oysters) in our seawater cooling system?

Challenge info

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COVID-19 update

06 April 2020

Andere challenges

Remove Chromium from salty waste





Open Call: Towards a more plant based society





Werkdrukvermindering bij docenten





Remove Chromium from salty waste





Open Call: Towards a more plant based society

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