MSc by Research - Understanding vertical flow constructed wetlands’ robustness and resilience to variable flows

Supervisors: Prof. Bruce Jefferson and Dr. Yadira Bajón Fernández

Supported by Severn Trent Water, this MSc by Research offers £17,000 p.a. for one year, plus UK/EU fees

Internationally recognised Cranfield’s Water Science Institute, in collaboration with Severn Trent Water, has an exciting research opportunity to evaluate the suitability of utilising vertical flow constructed wetlands (VFCW) for wastewater treatment in small sites.

Constructed wetlands (reed beds) are a core technology for small wastewater treatment offering near passive, low maintenance treatment of wastewater. Current preference is for tertiary systems downstream of traditional technologies such as trickling filter to remove residual solids, ammonia and phosphorus. However, there is increasingly interest in utilising wetlands for the full treatment replacing the upstream works with another wetland.

The approach offers great advantages in terms of energy use, sludge storage, robustness and overall treatment. The approach is common in France but has to date not been tried in the UK due to concerns about how such systems operate in the early years and respond to regular storm flows.

However, the potential advantages of the technology have meant that Severn Trent has built a full scale system to better understand the strengths and weaknesses of the approach and establish the potential for its wide spread adoption. A key challenge has been that reported data from active sites only report data after two years of operation, leading to uncertainty about the speed of start up and the ability to meet treatment requirements.

Accordingly, this MSc by Research offers an exciting opportunity to be part of the team assessing the technology and resolving some of the key unknowns. The work will be based at Cranfield with regular trips to the full scale site for sampling. The field work will be complemented by a scientific investigation into the impact of dry solids and organic content on sludge layer permeability. The finding of this will be directly related to the full scale plant and operation and future design standards adapted. As such the successful candidate will have the chance to conduct cutting edge applied research linked to full scale operation and implementation within a water company. This will provide a fantastic experience of both research and practical operation of real treatment systems and the experience of working within both academia and industry.

The student will be based at Cranfield University, with frequent trips to Severn Trent Water’s Hulland Ward wastewater treatment plant (Derbyshire). Embedded within the larger strategic partnership between Cranfield University and Severn Trent Water, the student will interact with a multidisciplinary project team including members of the Process Design, Innovation and Process Advisor team.


Entry Requirements
Applicants should have:
• A first or upper second class UK honours degree or equivalent in a related subject such as engineering, biology, environmental science or chemistry.
• Appropriate knowledge of written and oral English.
• An understanding of wastewater treatment technologies and processes is desirable.

How to apply:
For further information about this MSc by Research please contact: Dr. Yadira Bajón Fernández , E: [Email Address Removed]