Phil Longhurst
Cranfield University, UK
Title: CL4W-Contaminated Land 4 Wealth: Land remediation using phytoremediation for high priority soil contaminants then post-processing biomass for energy
Biography
Biography: Phil Longhurst
Abstract
Widespread pollution from the release of elemental contaminants is a growing concern. Elements such as arsenic, nickel and platinum group metals increasingly pollute the biosphere from contaminated sites. Phytoremediation - the process of accumulating elements within plant biomass has the potential to treat contaminated sites at low cost. This presentation discusses the scope for an approach that combines land remediation with biomass post-processing to achieve energy conversion from crops alongside the recovery of high value elements. Process performance and return on investment are key factors in establishing phytoremediation. This presentation explains an analytical review of plant species for phytoremediation to assess viability. The study includes the application of Monte Carlo simulation to look at the project risk in achieving adequate biomass yields. It then considers options for recovery of elements from the biomass - low energy, low cost and resource recovery from land remediation.