Australia’s Leading Sewer Vent Shaft Design, Fabrication & Installation Company
SVSR is the leader in sewer vent shaft design, fabrication and installation thanks to extensive and longstanding expertise – and a steadfast commitment to innovation.
And with our recent acceptance into ANSTO’s deep technology hub at Lucas Heights, we are now part of a vibrant cutting-edge and globally-connected community of researchers.
Technology incubators such as the Innovation Hub at ANSTO (Australia’s Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation) focus on practical applications for new research. And this collaboration will help us move towards scale-up and commercialisation of one of our primary R&D focuses: graphene-based sustainable odour control.
It’s a development that has incredible potential for the future of more efficient, cost-effective and sustainable sewer systems.
New directions with the Nandin Innovation Centre
After a rigorous application process, SVSR was accepted into the Nandin Innovation Centre, part of the ANSTO Innovation Hub. Based at Lucas Heights in Sydney, Nandin is a Deep Technology hub that encourages and assists entrepreneurs and businesses to develop innovative designs towards market.
According to Duncan Reynolds, Research and Development Manager for SVSR, NANDIN will make an ideal partner.
“We decided to apply to NANDIN because it was a good fit for our research and development in advanced manufacturing,” Duncan explains. “And geographically of course it makes sense given it is in Sydney, where we are based.”
NANDIN currently has a small group of members working on diverse applications – and membership provides several benefits. “NANDIN is about disruption and innovation,” explains Duncan, “and it’s an expert in product commercialisation. Obviously, one advantage is access to sophisticated equipment. Another major factor is that ANTSO is an expert in navigating the process towards a commercial product. They will help us get our project off the ground – and in front of the right people.”
SVSR and Sustainable Odour Control
SVSR believes its sustainable odour control project will revolutionise odour control for Utilities.
“At the moment, most of the world’s water utilities rely heavily on impregnated activated carbon to control odours. It can be reused but it’s usually not practical to do so,” Duncan notes. Instead major utility organisations like Sydney Water are looking for next generation designs.
“The material we are looking at is Graphene. It’s still carbon but with significant differences. And what it can do is achieve the same outcome – but with greater benefits”.
SVSR research to date indicates it performs the filtration task fast, it’s highly effective, and most significantly, it is easily reusable. ‘Current media is effectively single-use. Graphene is reusable so it’s more sustainable, and more cost-effective for Utilities since it potentially requires less maintenance.’
The graphene revolution
Graphene is the material of the moment. Derived from graphite, it is over 200 times stronger than steel, super flexible, light and conductive – and it has huge potential in areas as diverse as aircraft design, energy storage and the development of everyday products including light bulbs and tennis rackets.
“There has been a lot of research into graphene globally” notes Duncan. “Nearly every university has a graphene research lab, and there is a lot being done on graphene at places like the Centre of Research Excellence at the University of South Australia”
SVSR has been supplying and installing sewer vent shafts and cowls to Sydney Water for more than two decades. So it’s significant that Sydney Water has also expressed an interest in graphene. In its Research and Innovation Strategy: Towards 2020 and Beyond, it has indicated multiple plans for graphene research. So graphene will be part of their – and Sydney’s – future
Moving forward with ANSTO
Currently SVSR has what is called proof of concept, which in this case is the first stage of developing our product for market. Duncan explains there is still significant work involved. “We will conduct more testing. And we are hoping to establish field trials in sewer environments within six months. The following stage is the scaling-up process which requires – and is dependent on – significant funding.”
To date SVSR has matched funding provided by the federal government’s Innovation Connection Grant. It’s highly competitive – which is why acceptance into the Nandin Innovation Hub, and access to expertise on commercialisation, will be invaluable.
The future for SVSR
According to Duncan, innovation is crucial for companies like SVSR.
“We are already at the top of our industry, but if we want to continue to grow then we need to prioritise R&D. The market is changing, with new products and new processes. We need to do things differently – and better – if we want to remain a leader and move with technological change.”
SVSR aims to develop Australian-made materials and designs which can either stand alone or be retro-fitted to existing wastewater infrastructure.
Membership of the NANDIN technology hub at ANSTO is one way we will continue to innovate and produce exceptional sewer vent and shaft cowl design.
If you want innovative solutions and quality products, contact us to discuss your sewer vent shaft needs.
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