BOSTON — With rising commodity prices, Lux Research has found that recovery of resources from wastewater streams is becoming increasingly feasible, especially oil, precious metals and industrial fats, oils and greases (FOG), according to a press release.
Over the past decade, crude oil prices have risen nearly threefold, while the value of precious metals has soared over 250 percent, making recovery of these commodities attractive.
Growing demand for biodiesel amid a restricted supply of feedstocks drives recovery of industrial FOG. However, current economics don't favor lithium and phosphate recovery, noted the release.
"Many current wastewater streams contain resources worth billions of dollars of lost product and lost opportunity," said Tess Murray, research associate and author of the report titled, "Recovering Valuable Resources from Wastewater."
"As the value of resources rises, recovery technologies are beginning to make sense for even [ppm] traces of materials such as precious metals and oil," she added.
