Prof. Chen Receives IMechE Mechanical Innovation and Implementation Award

Prof. Guanghao CHEN, Chair Professor of the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, has won the 2022–2023 Mechanical Innovation and Implementation Award for a pilot study of the Low Energy Electrical Odor Control (LEEO®) technology, conducted at the Siu Ho Wan Sewage Treatment Works (SHWSTW). The Award, which was formerly known as the Best Project Award or Innovation Award when first established in 2014 by the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE) — Hong Kong Branch, commends outstanding mechanical engineering works.

Recognizing that hydrogen sulfide contained in sewage is the main source of its odor, LEEO®, as its name suggests, is an electrochemical pretreatment process that controls such odor by suppressing the production of sulfide in sewage sludge. The control of the hydrogen sulfide content in sewage has long posed a challenge to wastewater treatment, not least because of its toxicity and corrosiveness; conventional methods not only tend to be expensive but have often proved ineffective. In light of this, LEEO® has been developed to rectify the problem by preventing such odor from being formed at the source. Additionally, this innovative technology is advantageous because it leaves a very small footprint, is easy to operate and manage, and requires zero use of chemicals.

Congratulations to Prof. Chen.