Dear Jacky
In response to your recent posting:-
>It is interesting to know that there are a growing number of living
>machines in the UK; the one planned at the Earth Centre (1998) and
those
>constructed at the Body Shop International (1996), and Findhorn Foundation
>(1995). These would be the nearest sites for Europeans to visit.
>
>Q: Do you have any contact persons (email addresses) whom we could
contact ?
>Stepen Clark (a participant here) worked for the Earth Centre a few
years
>ago with plans for a microbrewery where all waste outputs will go
into an
>integrated bio-system for water treatment with fish cultivation, aquaponics,
etc.
A1: In June 1995 the Earth Centre undertook a financial planning exercise in conjunction with the UK Millennium Commission (principle UK government funders) whereby many of the staff including myself were made redundant.
At this time a decision was made to base the 'Living Machine' as the principle waste treatment plant on the site, along with a vacuum sewage delivery system and water capture from buildings. A percentage of the treated water will irrigate the newly landscaped visitor zone on the site.
I returned to Earth Centre as an independent consultant, in June 1997 undertaking desk research before embarking on the role as an in-house exhibition designer. Last year, I completed the design of a 150m2 exhibition dedicated to Nature/Sustainable Development called Nature Works. Currently I am working through concepts concerning Freshwater/Sustainable Development in the 300 m2 pavilion known as Water Works that also houses the 'Living Machine'. So you can imagine, I am most interested in these discussions.
Technical enquires should be directed to Mike Davies, Earth Centre at jbc@theearthcentre.demon.co.uk or to 'Living Technologies'.
A2: I am pleased to inform you that the Microbrewery as a STAND ALONE
project; is alive and well, with the evaluation process undertaken
and reported in ZERI listserver archives. My current principle objective
is to raise capital seed funding of 200,000 UKP to match equivalent funding
available from the UK Millennium Commission. The project is still warmly
received from the Chief Executive of the Earth Centre and is deemed as
a viable research initiative and visitor attraction. However, I have
approached several UK Breweries, whom although enthusiastic are somewhat
conservative and nervous of stimulating future 'end of pipe' process changes.
I am also in discussions with a small scale UK 'organic' brewer as a potential
technical collaborator. Therefore, funding is having to being sought from
more 'conventional' sources and I would be pleased to accept any contacts
or inquiries from any other interested organisations.
Further information concerning the conceptual process and CAD images of the proposed building can be sought from: http://www.fishace.demon.co.uk/subwum
>Q: Is OAI cooperating to do this microbrewery project ?
I have not received any enquires from OAI.
>The BOD of the influent at Findhorn Foundation site
>(http://www.livingmachines.com/projects/specific/findhorn.html)
>is 500 mg/l (1995/96 data) while that at the Earth Centre is 1,700
mg/l (estimated).
>Q: is there any special reason why the BOD at the Earth Centre is
significantly higher ?
A: Once again, I would direct you to the above persons/organisations but would comment that the 'Living Machine' at Earth Centre considers variable high flows from the 400,000 visitors expected in the first year of public opening from April-October 1999. I would also expect that the vacuum sewerage system would concentrate waste streams, due to it's excellent water conservation and produce the higher non-diluted BOD estimates above.
I hope this has clarified your questions.
Best wishes
Stephen
Stephen Bedford Clark
SBC & Associates
Sustainable Freshwater Ecology & Aquaculture Consultancy Services
7 Ballam Avenue, Scawthorpe, Doncaster, United Kingdom DN5 9DY
Tel: + 44 (0)1302 782597 Fax: + 44 (0)1302 782597
A list of Consultancy Services and Experience are available at:
http://www.fishace.demon.co.uk/
Registered Consultant to the DACON, NRI & UNECIA Databases and
the United Nations University ZERI Programme