2007 Dow Energy Prize for Mark van Loosdrecht (BT)

The Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences (KNAW) acted as independent expert adjudicator for this important prize, awarded over the past two decades for innovations in energy efficiency. This year the prize went to biotechnology professor Mark van Loosdrecht, for his contribution to the new aerobic granule sediment technology, in which aerobic – oxygen-using – bacteria form granules in the water to be purified. The great advantage of these granules is that they precipitate rapidly and that all the necessary biological purification processes occur within these granules. The technology holds potential for both domestic and industrial waste water.  

Intensive collaboration with the water industry enabled the concept to be developed rapidly on a commercial and international scale. The first practical installations have already been realised in the industry, and a number of water boards are engaged in introducing the technology.

Dissertation prizes
Two PhD dissertations were also awarded the Dow Dissertation Prize, including one to Pepijn Pronk for his research into ice slurry with a fluidised bed heat exchanger.

About the Dow Energy Prize
The Dow Energy Prize is an initiative from Dow Benelux and has been awarded since 1985 to those who have provided exceptional services in the promotion of renewable energy in the process industry. Apart from reducing the environmental burden, its primary focus is a more efficient utilisation of energy and/or raw materials, and developments in sustainable energy sources. The prize was instituted by Dow Benelux, after the company was awarded the Energy Prize in 1983 by the Dutch Ministry of Economic Affairs. The Dow Energy Prize includes a 25,000 euro cash award, while the Dow Dissertation Prize offers 5,000 euros. 

The prizes were awarded under the auspices of the Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences (KNAW). The jury for the Dow Energy Prize comprised Prof. A.A. van Steenhoven (chairman) and members Prof. E. Drent, Prof. M.J. Groeneveld, Prof. J.J. Heijnen and Prof. W.P.M. van Swaaij.

Mark van Loosdrecht (BT)
Prof. Mark van Loosdrecht obtained his PhD at Landbouw Universiteit Wageningen and was appointed professor at Delft University of Technology in 1999. This appointment put him at the cutting edge of a number of new developments in environmental technology, with energy-saving always at the core. Mark van Loosdrecht’s discoveries and concepts have led to a number of patents and hundreds of scientific publications.

Pepijn Pronk (3mE)
Dr Pepijn Pronk received the 2007 Dow Dissertation Prize for his research into the production of  ice slurry with a fluidised bed heat exchanger. He obtained his PhD with honours in this research at Delft University of Technology. This method prevents the detrimental attachment of ice crystals in installations, enabling them to perform better and more economically. Mr. Pronk unravelled the mechanism behind the formation of ice in installations, and enabled a breakthrough by applying fluidised steel particles. His research offers the possibility of achieving higher-yielding and thus more sustainable cooling technologies which could be suitable for a number of applications.
Pepijn Pronk works for Corus in its Research, Development and Technology department, where his brief includes the more sustainable production of steel, amongst other things by reducing energy use.

For further information: www.knaw.nl/dow/
See also: Chemiezine_VNCI