Research & Development
Alpha Environmental is committed to ongoing and sustainable R&D in all areas of the business via, but not restricted to, the following:
Questor Membership
Questor is a centre of environmental research excellence based within Queen’s University Belfast. Questor consists of industrial and academic members from across the world working towards the common goal of researching and developing new techniques and technologies to solve current problems, and to take environmental research forward into the future. As an industrial member of Questor, Alpha directs R&D towards specific topics that are highly relevant to ongoing and future business activities. Currently Alpha and Questor are developing proposals for research into the use of electric arc furnace steel waste. This waste will be utilised as in-situ chemical oxidation initiators that will boost reactivity cost effectively whilst utilising a current industrial waste by-product.
Queen’s University Belfast
Alpha Environmental has very close and strong links with Queen’s University Belfast (QUB). These links allow access to academic research in all areas of the business from developing specific petroleum hydrocarbon detection equipment and reaction kinetics, to the design of mobile oil research laboratories for global mobilisation. Links with QUB are also used to forge new contacts with other academic bodies so as to be kept informed of external pertinent R&D and opportunities.
Production Engineering Research Association
Alpha also has close links with the Production Engineering Research Association (PERA). PERA work closely with Alpha in the development of funded R&D proposals, research consortium establishment, detailed engineering and electronic system prototype construction, and post project success marketing opportunities. Alpha and PERA also work together on remedial market research and related topics outside the direct scope of core business.
DTI/TSB Remediation Innovation
Alpha Environmental is currently undertaking a 2 year part DTI/TSB funded R&D project into the development of an innovative on-site, ex-situ chemical oxidation soil treatment system. This system utilises Fenton’s Reagent to destroy organic soil contaminants, allowing rapid bulk material treatment and a re-usable end product. The aim is to produce plant that can be rapidly mobilised and offers a cost effective alternative to land fill or hub treatment of petroleum hydrocarbon and coal tar contaminated soils.
Remediation Technologies
Alpha continuously undertake research into new remediation technologies, introduction of such technologies, and development of bespoke equipment to facilitate the on-site implementation of these technologies. Examples include the introduction and use of chemical oxidative destruction, vacuum extraction techniques, water treatment technologies, and membrane barriers to name but a few. Currently Alpha is looking into promoting a new and novel groundwater in-situ treatment technology that utilises brewing industry waste, and the adaption of current techniques and equipment to facilitate this technology.
Equipment Design, Development and Manufacture
Alpha Environmental designs, develops and manufactures equipment in-house to facilitate the implementation of soil, groundwater, air and structural remedial technologies. In-house design of equipment allows exact tailoring to the specific requirements of Alpha. Similarly in-house construction allows the use of readily available and proven sub-assemblies, and in-house maintenance and development results in the best and most efficient service to customers.
Reporting Systems
Alpha Environmental is constantly developing remediation reporting procedures and site specific targets in line with current environmental best practice and guidance. Whilst incorporating the specific requirements of clients, Alpha embraces relevant British standards and the guidance published by, amongst others, the Environment Agency, Environmental Health and DEFRA in the UK, as well as European standards and guidance for the Republic of Ireland market.
Furthermore, Alpha is constantly researching, introducing and developing techniques and technologies to reduce reporting turnaround timeframes, for example a company wide information storage, retrieval and handling intranet, digital pen systems, and internet based communications.