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FACT SHEETS
CONTENTS
GREENHOUSE
LIMITATION
GASES
GREENHOUSE
LIMITATION
GASES
GREENHOUSE
LIMITATION
GREENHOUSE
GASES
LIMITATION
GASES
1- Seawater desalination
2- Water resources management
3- Asset management of drinking water systems
GREENHOUSE
LIMITATION
GASES
MANAGING AND PRESERVING
natural resources
4- Waste sorting and recycling
5- Biodegradable waste composting
6- Optimizing refrigeration
production and distribution
7- Improving cogeneration’s energy efficiency
LIMITING THE IMPACT
on the natural environment
GREENHOUSE
LIMITATION
GASES
GREENHOUSE
LIMITATION
GASES
GREENHOUSE
LIMITATION
GASES
GREENHOUSE
LIMITATION
GASES
GREENHOUSE
LIMITATION
GASES
8- Management of the electricity
consumption of tramways
9- Wastewater treatment
10- Sludge treatment and recovery
11- Industrial waste and wastewater
GREENHOUSE
LIMITATION
GASES
GREENHOUSE
LIMITATION
GASES
12- Lifecycle Analysis
13- CO2 collection, storage and recovery
Research
&
Development
YEAR 2007
14- Improving interior air quality
15- Water filtration membranes
16- Water taste and odor
17- Legionella risk prevention
18- Mobile phone customer service
19- Top-of-the-range bus: ANGO
20- Healthcare research and expertise
GREENHOUSE
LIMITATION
GASES
21- Fuel cell
22- Biomass recovery
in thermal facilities
23- Energy from waste
24- New fuels
IMPROVING
quality of life
DEVELOPING
alternative sources
of energy
GREENHOUSE
LIMITATION
GASES
GREENHOUSE
LIMITATION
GASES
Caption: research programs
contributing to the limitation
of greenhouse gas emissions
GREENHOUSE
GREENHOUSE
LIMITATION
LIMITATION
GASES
GASES

MANAGING and PRESERVING 1
natural resources
While water covers over 70% of the Earth's surface,
fresh liquid water only represents 1%. This scarcity,
particularly in arid areas, combined with the demographic
pressure on available resources to meet
domestic, agricultural and industrial needs, are an
incentive to desalinate seawater. This alternative
solution is destined to develop exponentially: at the
moment, 1% of drinking water is produced using
saltwater, although one quarter of the world
population lives within 25 km of the coast.
Desalination consists in producing fresh water
(drinking water, water for irrigation or industrial
water) using seawater or brackish water.There are two
systems for desalination: distillation (condensation of
the boiling saltwater steam) or membrane processes
of the reverse osmosis type (filters capturing
unwanted elements such as impurities and salts).
Due to the development of desalination membranes
and a membrane desalination cost reduced by half,
numerous drinking water production plants have
been built in the last ten years. However, the quality
of local water sometimes makes it difficult to operate
these processes, which also have a high energy
consumption. There are technical challenges to tackle
to make seawater desalination more energy efficient
and economical to operate.
SEAWATER DESALINATION
OPTIMIZING THE TECHNIQUES DESIGNED FOR THE PRE-TREATMENT
AND OPERATION OF MEMBRANE PROCESSES BY REVERSE OSMOSIS
GREENHOUSE
LIMITATION
The very high energy consumption of
seawater desalination generally relies on
fossil fuels. By striving to optimize our
processes and reduce this consumption, we are
contributing to diminishing greenhouse gases emissions,
based on constant water requirements.
GASES
IN SHORT
Our research aims at understanding the mechanisms
and limiting the risk of performance degradation of
reverse osmosis membranes, as these degradations
can result in irreversible clogging, weakening or even
loss of membrane integrity. Our work focuses in
particular on seawater characterization (with the
development of a database) and monitoring the
performance of the pre-treatment processes used in
pilot studies and desalination plant operation. The
development of this database already allows us to
determine the pre-treatment processes best adapted
to the different water qualities. A desalination test
platform should be installed in the Persian Gulf in
2007 to optimize desalination processes of complex
seawater. In addition, a pilot pre-treatment unit has
been put in place in Ashkelon (Israel) in order to help
operators optimize pre-treatment performance in
the desalination plant with a production capacity of
320,000 m3 /day. An energy and environmental
evaluation tool for production processes is also
currently being developed.

PROBLEMS
Membrane process (reverse osmosis):
prevent membrane clogging by efficient
pre-treatment solutions.
The optimization of the membrane process
is mostly based on clogging control:
membranes tend to clog, sometimes
permanently, due to impurities (particles,
algae, organic materials, biofilm). While offshore
borehole makes it possible to obtain
quality saltwater resources, compatible
with reverse osmosis processes, water pretreatment
is essential when this water is
collected at sea, which is the case with large
facilities. Therefore, the mechanisms causing
the clogging must be examined in order to
define the most appropriate pre-treatment
and operation solutions.
Hybrid process (distillation and reverse
osmosis): prevent clogging and membrane
performance deterioration.
When using the thermal distillation process,
the cooling water treatment (used to
condense distilled water) can be considered
by reverse osmosis to optimize the economy
of the system. In this case, the water to be
treated contains a disinfectant and is at a
higher average temperature a direct
resource's one.
Therefore, it is necessary to adapt the treatment
process to this water quality and
manage the cooling water disinfection
process to make it as compatible as possible
with a subsequent filtration by reverse
osmosis.
DESALINATION MARKET
The seawater desalination market is valued at $100 billion
between 2005 and 2015 (half of which is for the increase
in current capacity). This is a booming market, in particular
for membrane processes (reverse osmosis).
In the next ten years, desalinated water production should
increase by 31 million m3 /day.
• Many regions on Earth (South East Asia, the Middle East
and North Africa and, to a lesser extent, Australia, China
and the USA) consider this solution a major drinking water
production method;
• The main market, i.e. the Middle East, will shortly have to
double its production capacity;
• The Mediterranean countries market (Algeria, Morocco,
Libya, Israel, Spain) will grow by 300% by 2015;
• China and India are also getting ready to launch major
projects (production capacity of 650,000 m3 /day by 2015);
• In the USA, the construction of large-scale desalination
plants is planned (total capacity of 2 million m3 /day).
Membrane processes will represent 60% of the new capacity,
including Persian Gulf countries' where reverse osmosis
will complete the thermal desalination processes
(distillation).
PARTNERS
External partners:
• ESIP Poitiers
• CNRS Arago, Banyuls
• CNRS Saint-Nazaire
• University of Calabria, Italy
• IHE - UNESCO, the Netherlands
• University of Ben Gurion, Israel
• Lausanne Federal Polytechnic School, Switzerland
• University of Angers
• University of Fez, Morocco
Internal partners:
• Veolia Water
• VWS (SIDEM, BEKOX, OTV, METITO)

Operation of the world's largest membrane desalination plant -
Ashkelon, Israel
The operation of the Ashkelon plant, which uses the reverse
osmosis process, started in 2005. Its production capacity amounts
to 100 million m 3 /year and is equivalent to the consumption of
1.4 million inhabitants, i.e. 20 % of the Israeli population.
The plant, built by OTV (VWST) and its Israeli partners, is operated
by the Group on a 25-year contract. The first two years of operation
demonstrated the reliability and robustness of the reverse osmosis
process with regard to seawater desalination. However, this process
requires a significant level of expertise in order to optimize
operating conditions depending on the changes in seawater
quality. The quantity of drinking water produced to date is
in keeping with specifications.
PROGRAM
DETAILS
Performance comparison between conventional pre-treatment
processes and membrane processes by integrating additional phases
such as disinfection. To do so, we operated several pilots on our Cap Sicié (Toulon)
platform.
Definition of the pre-treatment most adapted to membrane clogging
prevention based on tools for the advanced characterization of raw and
pre-treated waters.
Construction of a database about the different seawater qualities
focusing on the parameters likely to result in treatment difficulties.
Designing and building a desalination test platform in
the Persian Gulf
Developed based on the results obtained during the pilot study on
the Cap Sicié site and experience feedback of desalination facilities operated
by Veolia Environnement, this platform will be used to compare the most efficient
and promising pre-treatment processes with regard to the desalination
of complex seawater, such as that encountered in the Persian Gulf (selection
of the best pre-treatment from a technical and economical point of view +
optimization of operating conditions depending on the variations in raw water
quality).
SCHEDULE
- Pilot study of the Cap Sicié Platform: 2005 - 2008
- Construction of the seawater quality database: 2005 - 2008
- Desalination test platform in the Persian Gulf: 2006 - 2009
Desalination membranes (Ashkelon)

MANAGING and PRESERVING 2
natural resources
WATER RESOURCES MANAGEMENT
PROTECTING THE NATURAL ENVIRONMENT, PRESERVING PUBLIC HEALTH
AND OPTIMIZING TREATMENT COSTS
The protection of water resources is imperative to
preserve aquatic ecosystems and meet human
demands, both in terms of quality and quantity.
Above all, it requires the efficient control of wastewater
and rainwater collection processes, which can
constitute a significant source of pollution. The prevention
of environmental and health hazards also
calls for a better analysis of chemical and microbiological
pollutants as well as their impact on drinking
water production and downstream of wastewater
treatment plants. The depletion of available
resources caused by demographic pressure, global
warming and anthropogenic pollution also calls for
the development of reliable, healthy and economical
solutions to re-use wastewater and rainwater, thereby
developing alternative resources.
SCHEDULE
- Accidental pollution management tool:
2005-2007
- Tool to predict bathing water quality:
2005-2009
- NASRI: 2003-2006
- ASTR project: 2006-2010
- Drinking Water and cyanobacteria:
2007- 2010
IN SHORT
The R&D programs in which we participate primarily aim at
providing water operators with tools to help them better
control health and environmental hazards. For drinking
water production plant operators, we are designing a tool
monitoring pollutant propagation in river water in order to
deal with crisis situations. For wastewater treatment system
managers,we are developing a tool to predict bathing water
quality. In addition, we are examining the use of alternative
resources. We are in the process of creating a summary
document relative to the optimization and gauging of bank
filtration and groundwater recharge systems using surface
water (NASRI project). Our groundwater recharge tests
using treated wastewater have demonstrated that water
quality improves during its storage in a geological
environment. We are also testing a recovery system based
on a well other than that used for recharge (ASTR project).
Finally, we are gaining more in-depth knowledge of
cyanobacteria proliferation.
A significant part of our research programs on water
resource management is carried out in close partnership
with our experts in France and abroad (Berlin, Adelaide,
Indianapolis). The mobilization of an international experts’
network and the application of research programs
to geographically different study sites allow the Group to
benefit from solutions to highly specific local problems and
contexts, which can be adapted to other regions of the
world.

MONITORING
POLLUTANT
TRANFER INTO
RIVER WATER
Our objective is to provide drinking
water production plant operators
with an advanced monitoring tool
facilitating better tracking of river
pollution, accidental or chronic, in
order to deal with crisis situations
and prevent health hazards.
program
details
Designing and developing a twodimensional
tool monitoring
river pollutants, not only
upstream to downstream (first
dimension) but also from one
bank to the other (second
dimension, taking into account
the effect of banks, bridge piles
or islands). Based on software
digitally simulating hydraulics
and water quality, the purpose
of this tool is to:
• better manage accidental
pollutions,
• evaluate chronic discharge
impact,
• monitor the good ecological
state of the river,
• improve our knowledge of
superficial aquatic systems.
Two-dimensional monitoring of accidental pollution transfer (2D life)
PARTNER
• Veolia Water
DEVELOPING
A TOOL
TO PREDICT
BATHING WATER
QUALITY
Essential to public health
preservation, bathing water
surveillance has just been reinforced
by a European directive toughening
in particular the standards relative
to bacterial quality.
With regard to recurrent pollution,
this directive requires the
implementation of the evaluation
and management of the impact
on beaches.
Thus, we are developing, in partnership
with Ifremer, a tool to assess
degradation risks on a daily basis,
according to the weather conditions
of the previous days and the
intensity of rainfall, tide and wind.
Rain can cause wastewater
treatment plants to overload
and result in a discharge of
contaminated wastewater and
rainwater into the sea.
This system will help elected
officials to rapidly intervene and
decide to close beaches if necessary.

With the tool to predict bathing water quality,
wastewater treatment plants managers can
determine the type of situation each morning.
Maps and charts indicate beaches where
the water may be degraded and at what time.
Rapid analyses can then be carried out with
ColiPlage® to check the forecast and advise
authorities on the measures to be taken, if
necessary.
Mapping health hazards on the Dieppe coast
“today’s risk at high tide”.
PARTNERS
External partners:
• Ifremer (Brest and Toulon)
• Météo France • ACRI-ST
• NKE • HOCER • IDHESA
• LSEET and PROTEE (Research
laboratories of the University
of South Toulon-Var)
• LOB (Laboratory of the University
of Marseille II)
• Brest Métropole Océane
• City of Saint-Malo
• Sophia Antipolis Conurbation
Committee
• Toulon-Provence-Méditerranée
Conurbation Committee
• Brittany region maritime
competitive cluster
• PACA region maritime competitive
cluster
Internal partner:
• Veolia Water
OPTIMIZING
GROUNDWATER
RECHARGE
USING SURFACE
WATER
Artificial groundwater recharge
(through bank filtration or
infiltration basin) is an old and
widespread practice which must be
consolidated to meet current and
future demands in terms of drinking
water production.
The NASRI interdisciplinary project
(Natural and Artificial Systems for
Recharge and Infiltration) that we
have led focused in particular on the
examination of natural mechanisms
making it possible to reduce or
eliminate hazardous substances
when surface water passes through
the geological environment
(pharmaceutical residue, pathogenic
microorganisms, cyanobacteria
and their toxins).
This work will be prolonged to deal
with new health-related issues
in terms of emerging pollutants.
PARTNERS
External partners:
• Berliner Wasserbetriebe
• Berlin Technical University (TUB)
• Berlin Free University (FUB)
• Institute of freshwater ecology and
inland fisheries (IGB)
• Federal Environment Agency (UBA)
• Brandenburgische Technische
Universität Cottbus
Internal partner:
• Veolia Water
program
details
Study of hydraulics and water
quality evolution during bank
filtration and artificial recharge
by infiltration basin: on the
production site as well as test
basins under controlled conditions
and on soil columns in the
laboratory.
Development of models for the
simulation of contaminant
behavior when surface water
passes through the geological
environment.

EXPERIMENTING
GROUNDWATER
RECHARGE
USING TREATED
WASTEWATER
AND RAINWATER
Since 1997, we have been testing
groundwater recharge by
wastewater having undergone
advanced treatment on an
Australian pilot site.
Groundwater is used as an
underground reservoir to secure
the water supply of the region’s
horticultural plantations.
We have observed that water
quality improves when it is stored
in the geological environment.
In line with this project, we are
currently testing a system involving
2 wells (one for injection,
one for recovery).
This project, called Aquifer Storage,
Aquifer Storage and Recovery (ASR Adelaide)
Transfer and Recovery (ASTR) and
carried out in partnership with
the European program
Reclaim Water, allows us to study
the additional wastewater
treatment taking place when
the water is transferred between
the 2 wells.
program
details
Feasibility study for the recovery
of pretreated rainwater from
another well than that used for
recharge, to benefit from the
improvement in water quality
when it flows between the 2 wells.
Rainwater pretreatments (settling
tanks and wetlands) before
injection with a view to obtaining
water quality equivalent to
drinking water during the
recovery process.
Aquifer Storage, Transfer and Recovery (ASTR)
PARTNERS
• Commonwealth Scientific
and Industrial Research
Organization (CSIRO)
• SA Water
• City of Salisbury
• DWLBC
• South Australia State

PREVENTING
THE RISK OF
DRINKING WATER
CONTAMINATION
BY CYANOBACTERIA
Algae proliferation in surface water
has been observed for a few years.
Some of these algae, cyanobacteria,
generate toxins likely to pose
a health hazard.
The organisms are also responsible
for undesirable taste and odor in
the water.
We are developing research projects
aimed at: the better understanding
of the origin of blooms and
the evolution of algae and
their toxins; developing means
to detect these microscopic algae;
implementing methods to control
them in the water bodies where
they proliferate.
program
details
Improving understanding of the
ecological, environmental and
climatic conditions conducive to
the proliferation and geographical
distribution of cyanobacteria.
Study of Cylindrospermopsis
raciborskii in North East Germany’s
surface waters (CYLIN project). The
toxin of this cyanobacterium,
mostly dissolved in the water
(cylindrospermopsin) can be a
threat to drinking water production,
inasmuch as it is difficult to
remove through a filtration system.
This is not the case with other
toxins, which remain within the
cyanobacteria.
Developing international expertise
on the protection and
management of major storage
facilities used in drinking water
production.
- Water quality assessment in
storage facilities used to supply
Indianapolis and their catchment
areas, highly exposed to urban
and agricultural discharge, rich in
nutrients.
- Understanding the phytoplankton
growth process (in particular
cyanobacteria).
- Nutrient balance in reservoirs.
- Development of rapid algae
mapping methods using remote
sensing in order to strictly limit
the on-site treatment of water
bodies.
Cylindrospermopsis
raciborskii
PARTNERS
External partners:
• KWB (KompetenzZentrum
Wasser Berlin)
• UBA (Germany’s Federal
Environment Agency)
• IGB (Leibniz Institute of freshwater
ecology and inland fisheries)
• Cottbus Technical University
• UWI Adelaide
• IUPUI (Indiana University-Purdue
University Indianapolis)
Internal partners:
• CAE (Environmental
Analysis Center)
• Veolia Water
CONCEPTION : ANNAPURNA 8000 - PHOTOS : PHOTOTHÈQUE V.E

MANAGING and PRESERVING 3
natural resources
Drinking water systems – pipes and connections –
account for underground assets difficult to access
and requiring maintenance and renovation. While
being essential for the maintenance of supplied
water quality, these systems’ efficient management
is also an economic and environmental imperative:
pipe replacement is a costly process and leaks are a
waste of resources.
Due to the ageing of these systems, tools must be
developed to precisely assess pipe ageing conditions,
evaluate remaining lifespan and define the best
renovation and renewal solutions. Maintenance
techniques should also be evaluated to select those
most efficient.
ASSET MANAGEMENT OF DRINKING WATER SYSTEMS
DEVELOPING SYSTEM CHARACTERIZATION AND DECISION-MAKING
AID TOOLS FOR PIPE REPLACEMENT OR RENOVATION;
EVALUATING MAINTENANCE TECHNIQUES
GREENHOUSE
LIMITATION
By limiting water losses, system maintenance
optimization makes it possible to reduce
energy consumption related to the production
and supply of drinking water (pumps, etc.).
This reduction at source reduces our indirect greenhouse
gases emissions.
GASES
IN SHORT
The research carried out to optimize the asset
management of drinking water systems will contribute
to guaranteeing Veolia Water’s service continuity and
quality as well as supplied water quality, rationalizing
costs and providing the Group’s clients with precise
information. First of all, we must develop the tools and
techniques to characterize the condition of pipes.To this
end, we have created an expertise center (Caen
Environmental Analysis Center) to analyze pipes (made
of metal or polymers).A report assessing their condition
was issued in 2006. We are also in the process of
developing a decision-making aid tool to identify pipes
needing preventative and priority intervention. Its
statistical and economic module has been finalized.
Lastly, we are also developing material qualification
methods for renewal and renovation purposes and are
looking for the most efficient anti-corrosion
treatments.

PROBLEMS
Assess the piping system’s condition and
plan for its future.
It is necessary to identify the main
parameters for this assessment (describing
operating conditions, pipes and surrounding
soil) and the methods to monitor these
parameters.
Implement a systematic information
collection policy on the piping system’s
condition, common to all Veolia Water
branches.
Develop decision-making aid tools so that
managers can choose between maintenance
and renewal in light of the information
collected.
Optimize treatment or intervention methods
on systems (leak detection, renovation etc).
PARTNERS
External partners:
• Lorraine Polytechnic
Institute
(Environment,
Geomechanics and
Engineering
Laboratory - LAEGO)
• ENSAM (Higher
National School
of Arts and Crafts)
DRINKING WATER SYSTEMS IN FRANCE
Drinking water supply is guaranteed by roughly 850,000 km
of underground pipes, complemented by the connections
linking them to buildings.
Half of these pipes were installed before 1970. Most of them
were made of cast iron and are becoming obsolete.
Investment required to replace them has been estimated
at €1.5 billion /year over 20 years.
COMMITMENTS
Veolia Environnement’s commitments, as part of its
involvement in the Professional Federation of water
operators, uniting the main private water producers
operating in France with local authorities, are to:
• implement and operate tools designed to enhance
the knowledge of underground assets within a contractual
framework,
• assist local authorities in their effort to define an asset
management policy,
• constantly offer new technical solutions,
• set out contractual targets, measure the results and take
subsequent measures.
• École des Mines Paris
(Engineering School) -
Materials Center
• CNRS (Automatic
Operations and
Systems Architecture
Laboratory)
• BS Coating
• ZETEC
• Welding Institute
Internal partners:
• CAE
• Veolia Water
• SADE
• Setha

PROGRAM
DETAILS
Evaluating systems’ condition
• Creation of an expertise center on materials.
• Definition of analysis protocols for materials (cast iron, steel, polymers, etc.),
soils and deposits.
• Implementation of accelerated ageing techniques.
• Determination of chemical, mechanical and geometrical parameters for pipes
and soil on different samples.
• Evaluation of non-destructive on-site characterization techniques, such as
laser profilometric systems, Eddy-current instrumented pistons, ultrasound
or endoscopy.
• Search for system instrumentation techniques for the real-time evaluation
of the constraints inflicted on the pipes.
Development of decision-making aid tools
• Development of a pipe renovation and renewal assistance system.
This system will determine what pipes should be treated as a priority, using
statistical (partly provided by breakdown history) and mechanical calculations
(taking into account the impact of the soil and corrosion on piping conditions).
Optimization of maintenance techniques
• Evaluate the efficiency and impact of anti-corrosion and renovation techniques,
either on pilots (pilot loops made up of different materials and supplied by
different quality water to estimate corrosion rate) or on site (for example
renovation with new Epoxy resin formula).
SCHEDULE
+
Health
- Definition of parameters to assess the system’s condition: 2005-2007
- Development of decision-making aid tools: 2005-2008
- Evaluation of maintenance techniques: 2005-2007
Supply water disinfection is necessary and can generate
by-products. People can be exposed to these by-products
by water ingestion but also by inhalation or skin contact
(baths, showers).
Research efforts should focus on this to improve
the characterization of this exposure.
System monitoring
Corroded pipe sample
Pipe corrosion monitoring

MANAGING and PRESERVING 4
natural resources
Waste sorting center
Faced with the accumulation of residue generated by human
activities, depletion of fossil resources (energy and raw materials)
and pressure from the sharp increase in emerging countries
on international markets, recycling the materials contained in
waste has become a necessity in order to access new resources.
Their reintegration into a production cycle reduces the final
waste quantity and potential nuisances. In addition to the
reduced use of virgin raw materials, it generally results in
energy and water savings in the processes. It also limits
environmental damage related to mining extraction or
unsustainable forest management. Finally, by limiting the
depletion constraint, it contributes to global development.
Sorting is a strategic step in waste management, in particular
for recycling. Its quality determines treatment efficiency and
recovery possibilities. The development of material recognition
and separation technologies enhances the recovery potential -
material, agricultural or energy recovery. Beyond the separation
at source carried out by households and businesses, the sorting
processes used by the Group must therefore be optimized.
Sorting and recycling must become socially accepted in order
to develop. This requires guaranteeing the quality and harmlessness
of materials and new products generated by waste.
This is the case in particular for metal recovery, the use of
which must comply with stringent environmental standards.
WASTE SORTING AND RECYCLING
INDUSTRIALIZING THE SORTING PROCESS, SECURING TREATMENT PROCESSES,
PRODUCING MATERIALS FROM WASTE
GREENHOUSE
LIMITATION
The energy consumed by the automatic
sorting process is higher than by the manual
one. Conversely, by improving sorting quality,
the automatic process increases the possibility of
recycling materials, which avoids greenhouse gases emissions.
It is therefore reasonable to assume that automated
sorting contributes to globally reducing these emissions.
GASES
IN SHORT
Our research aims at industrializing sorting
centers, securing waste treatment processes
and making the manufacturing and use of
secondary raw materials viable. Our work
notably focuses on: evaluating and monitoring
sorting machines’performance (optical, aeraulic,
etc.), for municipal waste from collective
selection as well as ordinary industrial waste;
developing detection, extraction and remote
operation tools capable of removing the
sorting and quality control operators’ contact
with waste; optimizing the organization of
sorting centers; designing an automated
selective recovery system to isolate hazardous
or unwanted waste and recyclable materials
from the stream of bulk collected waste;
evaluating, from a technical and economical
point of view, the recovery processes and
carrying out the production’s energy and
environmental audit.

PROBLEMS
Sorting is successful when the product output
complies with the quality criteria related to
their distribution. The improvement in process
conditions (1) and control of incoming product
quality (2) are the pre-requisite for this success.
[1] Industrializing sorting centers
Sorting industrialization must make it possible
to:
•increase the amount and type of materials
recovered;
•improve hygiene and safety in the workplace;
•guarantee and control the production of
quality materials;
•be economically compatible with the markets.
Therefore, we are striving to automate sorting
centers, whether treating waste pre-sorted by
households or from the bulk collection of ordinary
industrial waste, by using more and more
advanced technologies. The Group’s objective is
to equip its sorting centers processing municipal
waste generated by selective collection by 2010.
This objective will then be applied to other
streams, in particular ordinary industrial waste.
[2] Securing treatment and recovery processes
To prevent environmental and health hazards
and avoid wasting natural resources, we must
isolate hazardous or unwanted waste as well as
recyclable materials from the stream of bulk
collected waste entering our treatment plants
(landfills, incineration plants, composting
facilities). The development of an automated
selective recovery system must allow Veolia
Environmental Services to transfer hazardous
waste to the facilities complying with the most
stringent environmental standards, reduce
pollutant dispersion, improve compost quality
produced from municipal waste and optimize
material collection.
PARTNERS
External partners:
• New vision
• Pellenc
• Titech
Internal partners:
• Veolia Environmental Services
• OTV Sud (CAD’eau)
SCHEDULE
- Sorting bench tests: 2005-2009
- Man/waste interface and related tools: 2005-2008
- Sorting simulator: 2006-2010

PROGRAM
DETAILS
Sorting center industrialization
Waste sorting center
• Optimization of sorting processes via more in-depth knowledge and better integration
of technologies and improvement in organizational schemes: test bench evaluation (scale 1:1)
of sorting machines’ performance, identification of optimization parameters, modification completion
and testing, development of a sorting simulator.
• Improvement in hygiene and safety by developing tools allowing operators to remotely identify
objects and extract them mechanically: objects/materials identification interface, extraction systems,
related control/command tool.
Incoming waste control optimization
• Development of a selective recovery tool made up of a cell detecting/locating the objects
to be extracted through advanced techniques, extraction/handling systems and control/command
processes required to prepare waste for treatment (incineration, composting, landfill, etc.).
+
HEALTH
1-In order to preserve our employees’ health, we are conducting surveys to characterize sorting
centers’ working environments. An initial survey allowed us to identify exposure levels
to bioaerosols. A second survey focused on the impact of the spraying process on air quality.
2-The employees working on the collection of residual municipal waste and household bio-waste
were monitored to determine the potential exposure levels to microbiological agents depending
on the type of waste, waste temperature and storage time.
This survey’s purpose is to compare the exposure levels of the different collection types and
come up with targeted recommendations to protect our employees.

MANAGING and PRESERVING 5
natural resources
Composting facility
Biodegradable waste accounts for roughly 30% of
industrialized countries’ municipal waste and up to
75% in developing countries.
The return to the soil of this organic material in
the form of compost compliant with standards
contributes to soil restoration by improving its
quality, biological activity and long-term fertility.
Its contribution can be beneficial in securing long-term
overexploited arable lands, enhancing the fertility of
impoverished soil or revitalizing land affected by
urban development operations or accidents (fire for
example).
BIODEGRADABLE WASTE COMPOSTING
OPTIMIZING THE FACILITIES’ TECHNICAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL PERFORMANCE,
GUARANTEEING PRODUCT TRACEABILITY, QUALITY AND HARMLESSNESS
GREENHOUSE
LIMITATION
Biodegradable waste composting is probably
neutral in terms of the Group’s emissions,
but has an overall positive effect on the cut
in the greenhouse effect, as it avoids energy
consumption related to fertilizer production and soil
cultivation, while improving the soil.
GASES
IN SHORT
Our research aims at optimizing the design of composting
facilities,controlling and limiting their impact on health and
the environment and guaranteeing compost traceability,
agricultural quality and harmlessness.
To do this, surveys are carried out on different scales, from
test bench to industrial pilot, and on the use of monitoring
tools to change scales.
On the test bench,we measure gas emissions (odorous gas
such as ammonia and greenhouse gases,in particular N2O)
generated by the composting of different biodegradable
types of waste. We have also patented a process to
homogenize windrow aeration and therefore reinforce
hygienization and control the odor emissions generated
by composting. We are currently implementing this
process on an industrial scale.
As part of the Qualiagro farming program carried out since
1998, in partnership with INRA, we have revealed that
biodegradable waste composting has beneficial effects on
soil structure as well as plant growth. Initial pollutant
transfer analyses demonstrate that the amount of organic
trace compounds and metallic trace elements of the plants
cultivated on plots with compost is equivalent to that of
control plots (non enriched or spread with manure).

PROBLEMS
Optimize composting facilities’ design and
operation.
Limit treatment facilities’ impact on health
and the environment (odors, greenhouse
gases, dust and bioaerosol emissions, etc.).
Guarantee composts’ agricultural value and
harmlessness. To this end, their effect on soils
and cultures should be examined, as should
pollutant transfer to soil, plants, water and air.
PARTNERS
External partners:
• ADEME
• Agence de l’eau (Water Agency)
• INRA
• ADEPRINA
• ENSBANA
• ENSIACET
• ITV
• INH
• City of Paris (Plant Studies
Constituency)
• BURGEAP
• CNAM
• CNRS - Faculty of pharmacy,
Lyon University
• IMFT
• INSA Toulouse
• CEMAGREF Rennes
Internal partners:
• Veolia Environmental Services
• Veolia Water
• SEDE Environnement
PROGRAM
DETAILS
Improve composting facilities
Composts generated by waste (residual municipal waste,
green waste, bio-waste, sludge, etc.) must at least comply
with the quality criteria defined by standards, which necessitates
working on the quality of the products used and operating
conditions.
• Control compost composition.
Incoming waste quality must be defined (non toxic factor),
as should the conditions to be met upstream of the treatment
processes, conditions which are necessary but not always
sufficient (selective collection of toxic waste in dispersed quantity
and special municipal waste).
• Guarantee the hygienization and agricultural value of the compost
produced on our composting facilities.
The tools to be implemented during the treatment, as well as
the physical, chemical and biological parameters for the optimal
steering of the processes relative to this dual objective, must
be defined.
• Limit the facilities’ impact on health and the environment.
• Evaluate composting processes’ environmental impact.
A test bench made up of several instrumented composting
cells was designed in our research center in order to test different
composting configurations and continuously measure the gas
emissions of ten compounds, in particular heavy greenhouse
emitters such as N2O. SCHEDULE
- Composting test bench: 2005-2010
- Experimentation of a composting steering tool:
2006-2008
- Qualiagro Program: 1998-2008

Evaluate the products’ agricultural
value and harmlessness
Through extensive long-term studies of large-scale farming (Qualiagro
project) and vineyards (viticulture project in connection with the
Bioterra platform), our objective is to demonstrate composts’ positive
effect on plants (agricultural efficiency) and soil (fight against erosion)
and guarantee the harmlessness of land application practices on
health and the environment (pollutant transfer to water, air, soil, plant
elements).
These programs notably aim at:
• targeting composts’ operating conditions depending on the different
types of soil and agricultural practices,
• measuring pollutant transfers (pathogenic germs,
Organic Trace Compounds, Metallic Trace Elements, etc.)
in order to analyze potential health and
environmental hazards.
+
HEALTH
A survey was carried out on bioaerosol
sampling and analysis methods in the air
of composting centers.
This work should make it possible
to evaluate, using a robust method,
potential workers and residents’ exposure
to bioaerosols depending on the different
operating parameters, and therefore
improve process control.
Composting facility

MANAGING and PRESERVING 6
natural resources
IMPROVING ENERGY EFFICIENCY, LIMITING NUISANCES,
CONTROLING REFRIGERATION CONSUMPTION
In light of the increase in global energy demands,
the depletion of fossil fuel reserves and the need to
reduce greenhouse gases emissions, energy savings
are a must. This imperative applies to refrigeration
production, as it runs mostly on electricity. In France,
refrigeration and air conditioning account for
nearly 10% of the national electricity consumption.
The “cold process” (see insert on page 2) is evaluated
at 4% of the overall industrial electricity consumption
(roughly 6 TWh). Recent studies have estimated that
potential energy savings in the industrial refrigeration
process amount to over 15%. It is all the more
crucial to optimize refrigeration systems’ energy efficiency
as the refrigeration demand is on the rise, due
to increased demands in terms of food quality and
safety as well as general comfort. Certain municipal
refrigeration systems operated by Dalkia are
currently nearly saturated. Certain refrigerants,
which destroy the high altitude ozone layer, have
since 1987 been regulated on an international scale
(Montreal Protocol). These environmental stipulations
bring about important changes in terms of
technological solutions and refrigeration facilities
managed by Dalkia.
OPTIMIZING REFRIGERATION PRODUCTION AND DISTRIBUTION
Reducing energy consumption related to
refrigeration production, avoiding refrigeration
production in peak hours and controlling
refrigerant consumption reduces greenhouse
gases emissions.
GREENHOUSE
LIMITATION
GASES
IN SHORT
Within the context of a rise in refrigeration demand, we
are striving to save the energy used in refrigeration production
and limit the nuisances of facilities managed
by the group. Our work aims at optimizing energy efficiency:we
are testing regulating techniques for refrigerating
units, such as Floating High Pressure; we have
started to establish ice slurry’s operating conditions as a
secondary refrigerant in the distribution systems. We
have also modeled a cold store in order to help one of
our clients control its refrigeration consumption and
energy bill. Finally, our research deals with the adaptation
of new refrigerants in facilities managed by Dalkia.

PROBLEMS
Improve refrigeration systems’ energy
efficiency (refrigerating machines,distribution
systems,etc.) for a more economical implementation
in facilities operated by Dalkia.
- We must have a better understanding of
the refrigerating units’ transient states to
optimize their management.
- The use of ice slurry as a secondary refrigerant
(aqueous solution containing ice crystals)
is a possible solution as it conveys more
refrigerating energy in the pipes than the
refrigerants currently used, such as iced water.
In addition, the slurry can be stored and
produced, like iced water, in off-peak hours at
a lower cost. However, the presence of ice
crystals in the liquid phase can result in
segregation, clogging, abrasion, load loss or
other phenomena within the distribution
systems. Therefore, it is necessary to assess its
usage constraints.
Control refrigeration consumption.
Efficient refrigeration management also
requires controlling its use. We must learn to
control the refrigeration requirements of the
industrial facilities operated by Dalkia and
help our clients optimize their refrigeration
consumption and energy bill. Potential energy
saving resources in industrial processes can
sometimes be found in our clients’ utilities
management, in order to adjust the energy
production on demand.
Limit refrigerants’ nuisances.
The idea is to secure refrigerating units and
experiment with solutions to replace HCFC
when converting the facilities.
REFRIGERATION PRODUCTION
It has 4 purposes and multiple applications:
• “cold process” is used in the industrial sector to treat
the materials (industrial gas liquefaction or purification,
foodstuffs quick-freeze, etc.),
• “cold maintenance” is necessary to preserve products,
i.e. guarantee the stability of their physical, biological or
chemical characteristics (for example cold stores for food
products),
• “cold safety” is essential for the protection of people and
goods (for example air conditioning in computer rooms),
• “cold comfort” creates a satisfactory atmosphere for human,
professional or leisure activities (air conditioning).
The most commonly used refrigerating techniques are steam
compression thermodynamic systems spraying a product
called a refrigerant.
Pressure
reducer
Condenser
Operating cycle of a steam compression refrigeration system
PARTNERS
Evaporator Cooling
• EDF R&D
• Cemagref
• Latep - University of Pau
Compressor Energy
contribution
(electricity)

PROGRAM
DETAILS
Optimize refrigerating units’ regulation
• Study of Floating High Pressure (HP), Floating Low Pressure (BP) and
Electronic Speed Variation techniques on refrigeration compressors.
Their adaptation to existing facilities must improve energy efficiency.
• Develop transient state simulation methods to find areas for improvement
in complex refrigerating facilities.
Evaluate the use of ice slurry as secondary refrigerant
• Test loop examination of the constraints inherent in the use of ice slurry as secondary
refrigerant: segregation, clogging, abrasion, load loss and other phenomena related to the presence
of ice crystals in the liquid phase.
• Evaluate the problems related to slurry counting and production, which remains complex, in particular
for the large refrigerating capacity facilities operated by the group.
Control refrigeration consumption
• A survey is being carried out on a cold store operated by Dalkia.
• We are assisting our client with the optimization of its processes in order to control the facilities’ energy bill
(see illustrations).
• A survey is being launched to identify potential energy savings
in malt houses - breweries.
Limit refrigerants’ nuisances
The refrigerant survey relates to:
• the optimization of refrigerating units’ fluid load,
system confinement and leakage detection and control,
• facilities’ conversion using replacement refrigerants,
• the use of so-called “natural” refrigerants such as CO2 ,
ammonia (NH3 ), water, etc.
SCHEDULE
- Optimize refrigerating units’ regulation: 2004-2007
- Evaluate ice slurry as a secondary refrigerant: 2004-2008
- Control refrigeration consumption: 2004-2009
- Limit refrigerants’ nuisances: 2006-2008
Monitoring of a cold storebeforethermalinsulation
Monitoring of a cold storewiththermalinsulation

MANAGING and PRESERVING 7
natural resources
Périgueux Hospital – Boiler room with cogeneration
OPTIMIZING COMBUSTION FACILITIES
In light of the increase in global energy demands,
the depletion of fossil fuel reserves and the need to
preserve our ecosystem, in particular to reduce
greenhouse gases emissions, energy savings are a
must.
Regulations reflect these imperatives, toughening
the requirements relative to combustion facilities’
emissions, energy efficiency and energy control.
Therefore, the efficient management of combustion
facilities now requires the selection of the most
economical, most efficient and least polluting
source of energy.
Dalkia has been committed to cogeneration for the
last ten years or so: the group installs and operates
plants simultaneously producing electricity and
heat from the same source of energy, which
contributes to saving primary energy compared
with separate solutions, and limiting greenhouse
gases emissions.
IMPROVING COGENERATION’S ENERGY EFFICIENCY
Improving cogeneration’s energy efficiency
reduces greenhouse gases emissions.
GREENHOUSE
LIMITATION
GASES
IN SHORT
Our research aims at optimizing the economic and
environmental performance of Dalkia’s combustion
facilities, by fighting against reduced efficiency and
pollutant emissions. Our work deals with the
improvement in cogeneration’s thermal recovery,
notably boiler clogging prevention. A theoretical survey
demonstrated that oil vapors condense at roughly
200°C and that this clogging was linked to the
performance and operating conditions of catalysts
located downstream of the engines.We also designed a
sensor to continuously identify natural gas’s quality
characteristics cheaply and regulate the combustion
accordingly. This product’s process version was
launched at the end of 2006 and deployed on several
Dalkia sites for the 2006/2007 season. Finally, we
commissioned a thermal test bench in 2006 in order to
optimize fossil fuel combustion.

PROBLEMS
Fight against reduced efficiency
• Sort out clogging phenomena Oil vapor
condensation in gas engines’ exhaust smoke
causes severe clogging in heat recovery
exchangers.
• Control gas quality more efficiently
Variations in gas composition result in
abnormal combustion in the engine,
causing engine pinking or knocking.
Sensors must be developed to precisely control
gas quality.
Fight against pollutant emissions
In order to improve control and optimize
fossil fuel combustion, tests must be carried
out on a thermal test bench.
PARTNERS
External partners:
• Ecole des Mines - Nantes
(Engineer School)
• Actaris
• GRETh/CEA
• ADEME
• CNRS
Internal partners:
• Dalkia
• Veolia Water
PROGRAM
DETAILS
Improve cogeneration’s thermal recovery
• Research work is carried out on catalysis and catalysts
downstream of the engine in order to identify the clogging
formation mechanism and provide solutions to eliminate or
transform oil vapor likely to be evacuated with gas engines’ exhaust
smoke.
• An innovative approach consisting of recovering heat from
cogeneration is also examined. The objective is to improve gas
engine cogeneration’s thermal recovery.
Develop gas sensors
• The development of gas sensors requires the design of a simple,
reliable and low-cost process to measure the energy properties
of natural gas and synthesis gases. The work carried out as part
of a Doctoral thesis led to a patent registration, then process
industrialization (with certification of the measuring device).
The study of gas engines’ control-command must make it possible
to integrate the methane index sensor into the engines’ optimal
control.
Put in place a thermal test bench
• A test platform made up of two mixed boilers (natural gas
and fuel oil) of 300 kW each and a hot water production biomass
boiler of a 400 kW capacity was designed to:
- increase combustion facilities’ energy efficiency,
- improve our understanding of combustion phenomena,
- broaden the panel of recovered biofuels.
Gas sensor
supervision
boiler
engines
turbine

Heavy fuel oil recovery
In order to avoid gas dependency, Dalkia’s energy mix
should include this type of fuel.
This program’s purpose is to reduce NOx emissions
on the one hand and dust resulting from heavy fuel oil combustion
in boilers on the other.
Hydrogen doping in natural gas
This project aims at reducing unburnt hydrocarbons or NOx and increasing
cogeneration efficiency. It includes 2 surveys: one on the use of natural gas
steam-reforming via the engine’s exhaust gases and the other on cold plasma-assisted
combustion.
Optimal boiler control
Test and implementation of optical sensors to optimize boiler regulation (gas and biomass).
Use of optical sensors to measure O2 and CO in smoke.
District heating with cogeneration
SCHEDULE
- Boiler clogging prevention: 2004-2008
- Engine Control-command: 2006-2009
- H2 doping in gas engines: 2006-2009
- Heavy fuel oil recovery: 2005-2008
- Optimal boiler control: 2006-2009
COGENERATION
Périgueux Hospital – boiler with cogeneration
In Europe, Dalkia’s cogeneration units represent an installed
capacity of over 4,000 electrical MW.
They supply high-power industrial facilities (with steam
production for the production processes) and, to a lesser
extent, buildings and district heating networks.
They mostly combine gas engines and gas or steam turbines
with natural gas and/or fuel oil boilers.

MANAGING and PRESERVING 8
natural resources
Bordeaux
The tramway presents many assets in terms of environmental
preservation, service quality and living
environment, which explains its revival in cities since
the 90s. Running in tramway lanes, it is not affected
by traffic jams and guarantees an extremely regular
service.
Capable of catering for up to 250 people, a single car
carries as many passengers as 3 buses or 177 cars,
with better energy efficiency. In addition, the
tramway is comfortable and accessible to strollers
and disabled people. It causes no pollution and little
noise nuisance, contrary to its predecessor.
Furthermore, the overhead electric cable system
(cable transmitting energy to the vehicle) and its
debatable aesthetic is starting to disappear,
gradually replaced by ground-level power supply
(Bordeaux). We may even be able to store energy on
board the vehicles in the near future.
Generally speaking, new technologies largely
contribute to the harmonious integration of the
tramway into the city. However, its power consumption
should be examined more closely in order to make it
more efficient, save natural resources, control more
efficiently operating costs and improve network
productivity.
MANAGEMENT OF THE ELECTRICITY CONSUMPTION OF TRAMWAYS
GREENHOUSE
Reducing the power consumption of tramways
and recovering the energy released during their
deceleration reduces greenhouse gases emissions,
not only when the electricity is produced from fossil
fuels but also from nuclear origin (avoiding the construction
of new plants and related indirect emissions).
LIMITATION
GASES
CARRYING OUT TRAMWAYS’ ENERGY BALANCE, EVALUATING ENERGY RECOVERY SYSTEMS,
MONITORING POWER CONSUMPTION
IN SHORT
Our work aims at optimizing tramway networks’energy
consumption. We are conducting measurement
campaigns to obtain their overall and detailed power
consumption; we are assessing energy recovery
systems and trying to monitor energy consumption.
The studies carried out in Saint-Etienne demonstrate in
particular that driving affects power consumption
much more than load.
They also highlighted the fact that the energy re-injected
by traction motors during deceleration phases represents
10 to 25% of the energy they absorb, which attests to
the relevance of the energy recovery systems currently
developed.

Nancy
PROBLEMS
The power consumption of tramways is not
yet perfectly mastered. Numerous networks
are trying to study the energy distribution
of power consumption between the different
vehicle systems (engine, heating, auxiliaries,
etc.) as well as the influence of driving
behavior on overall consumption.
The Public Transport Company for the Saint
Etienne Conurbation (STAS) and that of the
Rouen Conurbation (TCAR), for example,
commissioned EUROLUM to conduct
measurement campaigns in order to
characterize their equipment.
In addition, while energy recovery systems
have started appearing on the market, the
level of energy restored and reused by the
different vehicles on a given line or its
reliability are not known for certain.
Therefore, we should:
• determine the overall power consumption
of tramways,
• determine the power consumption of each
subset depending on route characteristics
(tramway stop arrival/departure, traffic lights,
untimely stops, etc.),
• highlight the influence of load and driving
behavior on the overall power consumption,
• monitor the energy consumed according
to parameters inherent to the vehicles and
line characteristics,
• assess energy recovery systems with a view
to fitting them onto existing equipment.
SCHEDULE
- Project launches:
St Etienne tramways: January 2006
Rouen tramways: September 2007
- Simulation model for the Saint- Etienne tramways finalized in: June 2007
- Overall energy balance for the Rouen tramways: September-October 2007
- Design a simulation model for the Rouen network: January 2008

PROGRAM
DETAILS
Step 1:
Measurement campaigns to enhance knowledge of the overall
and detailed power consumption of tramways.
Step 2:
Comprehension and quantification of energy absorption and
recovery phenomena according to equipment and network characteristics.
Step 3:
Tramway Monitoring and power consumption Forecast.
Rouen
Bordeaux
PARTNERS
• EUROLUM
• STAS
• TCAR
• AM’TECH (EDENKIA)

Wastewater treatment plant
LIMITING THE IMPACT 9
on the natural environment
While only 10% of the world’s cities are equipped with
wastewater treatment plants (1) , wastewater treatment
is one of the major global challenges to avoid
degrading the ecological balance and meet human
fresh water needs in terms of quantity and quality.
Directly discharged into rivers and the sea, wastewater
can exceed the natural treatment capacity of
aquatic environments and trigger eutrophication
phenomena. It is also a major source of microbial
contamination. Currently, 40% of the world population
has no means to treat the water discharged and
1 billion people have no access to drinking water. The
lack of drinking water is the world’s number one
cause of mortality and an obstacle to development.
Finding wastewater treatment and reuse solutions to
benefit as many people as possible is becoming all the
more urgent as the urban population in Southern
countries will double by 2030, reaching 4 billion
inhabitants, thereby increasing wastewater discharges
and drinking water requirements.
The prevention of health and environmental risks
related to chemical substances and emerging
pathogenic microorganisms also requires improving
treatment processes.
(1) La pollution des oceans (Oceans’ pollution) - Christian Buchet -
Combien de catastrophes avant d’agir (How many disasters before
we act?) - Nicolas Hulot - Points Seuil - 2003.
WASTEWATER TREATMENT
GREENHOUSE
LIMITATION
Optimizing the running and gauging of
wastewater treatment plants to suit the
demand reduces greenhouse gases emissions.
The improvement in biological treatments could
result in the reduction in nitrous oxide emissions (N2O,
for which the greenhouse coefficient is 310 times higher
than for CO2).
OPTIMIZING AND DEVELOPING BIOLOGICAL TREATMENTS,
REINFORCING THE GLOBAL APPROACH TO WASTEWATER TREATMENT SYSTEMS, EVALUAT-
ING THEIR IMPACT
GASES
IN SHORT
Our R&D work aims at optimizing the efficiency and
cost of biological treatment processes and developing
global wastewater management solutions best suited
to preserve natural environments and fresh water
resources. Their purpose is also to identify and
implement innovative solutions to recover all wastewater
components: reusable water, organic materials
convertible into bioenergy and biomaterials, mineral
matter transformed into fertilizers.
Our research focuses on new biotechnology and microbiology
contributions, but also on the integration of
new monitoring and regulation tools. For example, we
have combined hydraulic and biological computer
modeling to study how aeration tanks and secondary
clarifiers work, developed a wastewater treatment
plant (WWTP) simulator, which will be used in particular
for integrated facilities management (networks and
wastewater treatment plant) and developed tools to
identify the molecular structure of filamentous and
nitrifying bacteria. Furthermore, we are evaluating
autonomous and non collective wastewater treatment
processes to determine their impact on the natural
environment and select the most efficient. We are also
examining specific solutions for small-scale wastewater
treatment plant simulators. Finally, our research
relates to the future of emerging pollutants in
treatment systems and the environment into which
they are discharged.

PROBLEMS
How to control biological treatments more
efficiently?
• Biological treatments are at the heart of remediation
processes. Natural wastewater purification by
microorganisms has been developed for years.
However, to preserve water resources and minimize
the environmental impact of discharges, we must
improve their performance.
• We have to enhance our knowledge of existing
processes to optimize their size and performance,
based on the most advanced investigation methods
and computing tools.
• We must also develop new biological treatments,
more intensive and specific, in order to treat
but also recover wastewater for bioenergy and
biomaterials, in particular by combining
biotechnologies and microbiology with process
engineering and applied mathematics.
• The optimization and development of tools obviously
relate to individual processes but also to the
integrated management of networks and WWTP,
notably to prepare for better management in rainy
weather.
PARTNERS
External partners:
• INSAT
• European Commission
• ADEME • AFSSET • EPFL • ENSCR
• CEMAGREF • CSTB • ENGEES
• INRA Narbonne
• University of Delft • Proteus
• Ecole des Mines d’Albi
(Engineer School)
• Polytechnic School of Montreal
Internal partners:
• Veolia Water
• VWS
How to reinforce the global approach to wastewater
treatment plants?
• In order to make decisions on wastewater treatment,
all the components of the municipal collection and
treatment system must be taken into account:
wastewater systems, rainwater systems, water and
sludge processes of wastewater treatment plants,
septic tanks. We must develop suitable methods
and tools to integrate all these elements. More
specifically, the combination of water and sludge
processes has to be reinforced in order to have an
overall view of technical performance and costs.
• To prevent ecological and health risks more
efficiently, we must also carry out the qualitative
and quantitative evaluation of the health and
environmental impact of treatment activities.
The combination of hydraulic modeling (FLUENT TM ) and biological
modeling (WEST TM ) has helped study how SBRs (sequencing batch
reactor) work with a specific configuration and assess the gauging
of secondary clarifiers.
Secondary clarification modeling
Example: evolution of areas of concentration
SCHEDULE
- New biological means for wastewater
transformation: 2006-2020
- Modeling of biological treatment structures:
2004-2008
- Advanced biological process steering: 2005-2009
- Wastewater treatment plant simulator: 2005-2008
- Molecular and functional characterization
of microorganisms: 2005-2009
- Evaluation of Non Collective Wastewater
Treatments: 2005-2009
- Study of emerging micropollutants: 2005-2010

PROGRAM
DETAILS
Optimize existing biological treatments
• Develop mathematical tools to diagnose and forecast functioning.
For example, combine hydraulic and biological modeling to optimize
treatment efficiency and cost in aeration tanks and secondary clarifiers.
Develop innovative biological processes
•Biotechnological and microbiological tools applied to treatment
processes.
• Identify microorganism groups capable of acting more intensively in the
biodegrading of new pollutants or accumulating relevant molecules.
• New culture methods and new reactors to implement these new
microbial associations on a large scale.
• New methods to analyze biomass in order to run these processes more
efficiently.
BIOLOGICAL TREATMENT
Current biological treatment processes are based on the use of activated sludge, mainly made up of flocculating
microorganisms. Mixed into wastewater with dissolved oxygen (in aeration tanks), it massively eliminates
organic pollutants. It is then separated from the treated wastewater in secondary clarifiers or via membranes.
Wastewater treatment plant
Global approach to wastewater treatment plants
• Develop decision-making aid tools
- Control/command systems for the running of water treatment processes,
implementation of new processes, integrated facilities management (networks +
wastewater treatment plants).
- Tools to simulate wastewater treatment plants with a view to improving the design of new structures and
facilitate malfunction diagnosis in existing facilities.
• Assess health and environmental impact
- Determine the consequences of emerging pollutants in different wastewater treatment plant configurations
and in the environment (endocrine disruptors, pharmaceutical products, priority substances).
+
HEALTH
Recent innovations in terms of sampling and
analysis methods make it possible to characterize
and quantify bioaerosols generated by wastewater
treatment.
We are conducting a survey aimed at defining
the amount of bioaerosols emitted at each step
of the wastewater treatment process and mapping
the areas of activity in wastewater treatment plants.
The results of this project will be used to validate
and optimize prevention and protection measures
for our employees.

TGA analyzer
LIMITING THE IMPACT 10
on the natural environment
Improving domestic wastewater treatment
efficiency, as required by the European regulation,
has resulted in an increase in the production of
materials extracted from wastewater, which must be
recovered or absorbed while limiting environmental
and health nuisances as much as possible.
Depending on local constraints, Veolia Environnement
offers several “tailor-made” treatment processes,
ranging from technologies used in wastewater
treatment plants to by-product recovery solutions.
SLUDGE TREATMENT AND RECOVERY
DEVELOPING RECOVERY,
OPTIMIZING PROCESSES, CONTROLING THE AMOUNT OF SLUDGE
Whether aimed at saving energy or
developing renewable energies, research on
sludge treatment and recovery contributes to
reducing greenhouse gases emissions.
GREENHOUSE
LIMITATION
GASES
EN BREF
The objective of our research,based on the initial sludge
separation of highly recoverable parts and certain
high-risk constituents, is to improve and broaden the
Group’s offer:
• By developing the conversion of energy fractions into
biogas, heat or fuel (PyromixTM , consisting of coincinerating
sludge and municipal waste, PyrofluidTM ,
fluidized-bed sludge incineration).
• By exploring the transformation of a portion of
organic material into ingredients useable in green
chemistry.
• By working on a new agricultural recovery based on
the separate extraction of components likely to be
used in fertilizer formulations.
• By developing advanced sludge destruction processes
(mineralization) when this sludge is difficult to
recover (AthosTM, based on hydro thermal sludge
oxidation).
• By striving to limit the amount of sludge when it is
difficult to recover and destroy.
In any case, the environmental performance of our
processes is taken into account when designing new
technologies or when optimizing existing processes
(Thermoboues TM software).

Anaerobic characterization bench
PROBLEMS
Improve and broaden Veolia Environnement’s
multi-process offer from an economic,
environmental and sanitary point of view:
- Control the amount of sludge according to
its purpose, with a view to reinforcing
regulations relative to wastewater and
sludge.
- Control sludge quality: improving the
control of the elements entering wastewater
systems contributes to reducing the
presence of certain toxic substances.
- Promote elements with an economic value
to Veolia and its clients. Sludge contains
organic (resources for bio-energy and
biomaterial production) and mineral
(resources for ingredient production)
elements which must be extracted to yield
their full value.
- Optimize the environmental performance
of processes: sludge contains elements
which are difficult to recover and must be
treated without any impact on health and
the environment.
PROGRAM
DETAILS
Energy production
• Develop digestion processes via new metabolic
pathways in order to optimize biogas production
which can be recovered in electricity, heat or biofuel
production.
• Identify and gauge new energy production processes.
Material production
• Explore the production of raw materials directly or
indirectly recoverable in green chemistry (organic
wastewater material is a source of green carbon).
• Search for new methods to return organic materials
to the soil (new agricultural recovery).
Sludge mineralization
• Develop the AthosTM process. Based on hydrothermal
sludge oxidation and currently industrialized,
it represents an alternative to incineration and
generates three by-products which can be recovered
or returned to nature without damage (clean gas,
biodegradable organic liquid, essentially mineral solid
substance).
PARTNERS
External partners:
• INRA • ENSIACET • ITV • CEN • INH • CEIT
• IRC • EPFL • ULB
Internal partners:
• Veolia Water • VWS • SEDE
• Veolia Environmental Services
SCHEDULE
- Optimize digestion: 2005-2010
- Qualiagro Program: 1998-2008
- Viticulture program in the Narbonne region:
2002-2008
- Program with the Colmar experimental
platform: 2005-2010
- Drying integration: 2007-2009
- PyrofluidT M optimization: 2004-2007
- BioTHELYS TM : 1998-2008
- Athos TM : 1993-2010
- Optimize materials and energy: 2007-2012

Optimize existing processes
• Optimize the PyrofluidTM system
(fluidized-bed sludge incinerator) and
composting processes.
• Study the agricultural value and impact on health and
the environment of soil improvements generated by wastewater
sludge as part of the Qualiagro program in collaboration with INRA.
• Identify and gauge drying technologies adapted to the different sludge
treatment processes.
Reduction in the amount of sludge
• Develop wastewater treatment processes to reduce sludge production at source
or digestion only, thereby limiting the amount of sludge to be disposed.
Offer development
• Extend the software evaluating the environmental performance of sludge
treatment and recovery processes (ThermobouesTM ).
EUROPEAN REGULATION Digestion pilot
A 1991 directive makes it compulsory to integrate
nitrogen, phosphorus and rainy weather treatment
when processing wastewater. The application of this
directive by Member States, which is still incomplete,
results in an increase in sludge production.
Sludge samples
Pyromix

LIMITING THE IMPACT 11
on the natural environment
ENHANCING INDUSTRIAL SERVICES
WITHIN THE FRAMEWORK
OF SUSTAINABLE TREATMENT
PROCESSES
Extraction, production and transformation activities
generate waste, which can be liquid (industrial wastewater)
or solid, hazardous or otherwise, containing
a broad range of pollutants in highly variable
concentrations – hydrocarbons, solvents, metals,
organic compounds, salts, etc. Depending on their
potential danger and quantities generated, this
industrial wastewater and waste must most of the
time be treated as upstream as possible to avoid
dispersion into the environment and consequently
limit the threat to the environment (surface water or
groundwater, air, soil, etc.) or even human health.
The infinite variety of industrial wastewater requires
perfect control of all treatment technologies. As well
as treatment, recycling must be developed to limit
the quantity of waste and save natural resources.
The idea is to make the material content compatible
with new types of usage, in viable economic and
environmental conditions.
INDUSTRIAL WASTE AND WASTEWATER
GREENHOUSE
LIMITATION
By avoiding extraction and/or manufacturing
processes, metal and solvent recycling and
recovery has a positive impact on the fight
against climate change. By saving energy and
“materials”, optimizing industrial wastewater and hazardous
waste treatment processes is a step in the same direction.
GASES
IN SHORT
By relying on our multiple treatment expertise
(thermal, physical-chemical, biological, membrane
treatments), our R&D work aims at enhancing the
range of services provided by Veolia Environnement
to industrial groups and contribute to developing
sustainable industrial wastewater and waste treatment
processes. This work relates to all types of industries –
oil, chemical, pharmaceutical, Food and Beverage, paper,
mining, steel, metal or textile industries. Our projects
include: developing tools to characterize industrial
wastewater and safely detect hazardous waste;
evaluating complex wastewater treatment processes
such as heavily loaded saline wastewater or even
surface treatment baths; studying slurry treatment and
recovery; developing differentiating processes for the
Group in terms of mineral precipitation and biological
and thermal processes; designing physical-chemical
processes for the selective recovery of solvents and
metals from waste; creating process modeling and
steering tools to make operations more reliable and
secure. Finally we can, upon request, as part of the
Group’s industrial contracts, characterize wastewater,
identify a process, participate in the gauging of a
treatment facility, etc.

PROBLEMS
Industrial wastewater and waste
are extremely heterogeneous.
Their quantity and characteristics
vary and often contain a broad
range of pollutants: solid or
dissolved compounds, organic
and mineral materials, metals,
hydrocarbons, solvents, polymers,
oil, grease, salts, toxic substances,
etc. Industrial groups strive to
treat them in the best possible
environmental and economic
conditions. In this respect, technological
innovations are a key
factor. To help them reduce their
pollutant emission at a low cost
and control industrial risks more
efficiently, we must enhance
Veolia’s range of services and
adapt the solutions provided for
each industrial problem and sector.
Better pollution characterization
Improving knowledge of industrial
discharge makes it possible to
design and select the optimal
treatment more rapidly. Therefore,
our work focuses on characterizing
the pollution load, using methods
rapidly applicable on site and
more advanced analytical
methodology, used in particular
to characterize wastewater with
low biodegradability.
Optimize treatment processes
The improvement in treatment
processes consists of increasing
their performance and making
them more reliable, technically
and economically: increase
wastewater treatment efficiency,
reduce energy consumption,
make functioning more secure,
guarantee efficiency sustainability,
make safe the operation, etc.
We are exploring these fields to
optimize the different existing
technologies (physical-chemical,
thermal, biological and membrane
processes). We are also
developing differentiating and
innovative solutions.
Our research must notably focus
on complex industrial wastewater
such as heavily loaded
saline wastewater generated by
various industrial sectors.
Landfill leachates are part of this
wastewater category and constitute
an interesting investigation
matrix to test different treatment
technologies, improve
their efficiency and benefit from
their complementary properties
within a global process.
Recover industrial waste
We must also strive to recover as
much industrial waste as possible
as part of global treatment lines
integrating not only separation,
removal, neutralization and
stabilization processes but also
the recycling of compounds
contained in wastewater and
waste.The objective is to contribute
to saving natural resources.
PROGRAM
DETAILS
Develop tools to characterize
pollution
• Study wastewater generated by
the chemical, steel and paper
industries, used as a support to
develop tools capable of characterizing
pollutant streams
(pollutant load, acceptability into
wastewater treatment plants,
new analytical protocols, etc.).
• Develop an on-line tool to
evaluate industrial wastewater
variability.
• Estimate industrial wastewater
biodegradability.
• Safe diagnosis (no contact) of
hazardous waste.
Develop complex wastewater
treatment technologies
and processes
For complex industrial wastewater,
our processes must apply
not only to the treatment itself
but also to by-product recovery.
• Technical and economic analysis
of the different treatment
processes for industrial wastewater
containing large amounts
of salts, based on pilot tests
carried out on an experimental
platform.
• Ensure the reliability of water
treatment in the pits used for
the salting-out of spray booths in
the automotive industry to optimize
recycling.
• Optimize the recycling of surface
treatment baths.

Spray booth operator
AUTOMOTIVE
PAINT SLUDGE
Wastewater generated by spray
booths in the automotive industry
contain chemical pollutants and
release solvent odors. We have
carried out tests on a pilot site
(Limay) as to the denaturing, using
different chemicals, of paints and
varnishes contained in this wastewater.
We are also measuring air
and sludge quality (water content,
workability). These tests have led us
to offer treatment chemicals and
operating systems making safe their
usage (by implementing a dedicated
instrumentation) – tested on an
industrial site in 2007.
Develop differentiating
and innovative processes
• New biological treatments for
grease and greasy wastewater in
the Food and Beverage: optimize
grease co-digestion (methanization)
with wastewater sludge;
development of a thermophilic
anaerobic process (without oxygen
and at temperatures higher than
50°C) for greasy wastewater.
• Design hybrid biological processes
such as MBBR (Moving Bed
Biofilm Reactor): application for
wastewater generated by the
Food and Beverage, paper and
petrochemical industries.
• Evaluate mineral precipitation
processes in the chemical and/or
mining industry. Emphasis is on
precipitation mechanisms and
their correlation with hydraulic
processes for various available
technologies. The objective is to
define criteria for choosing a
process in relation to the quality
of wastewater to be treated and
targets to be met (treatment,
by-product recovery).
Slurry treatment
European “LIFE-environnement”
Zero Nuisance Piggeries project:
treatment of fresh slurry from
piggeries and proposed treatment
process for the global management
of the nuisances created
by these facilities, including in
particular re-used rinsing water
and a reduction in odor nuisances.
Recycle metals
and solvents
• Separate metal from liquid
wastewater for recovery purposes.
• Study liquid-liquid extraction
processes (physical process making
it possible to recover or purify
compounds using the differences
in solubility of certain liquids).
Operating aids
and modeling
• Develop operating aid tools
(decision-making aid and advanced
process steering aid) and tools to
model physical-chemical and
biological processes in order to
make the running of our processes
more reliable and secure.
R&D SUPPORT OF
INDUSTRIAL CONTRACTS
An R&D support unit dedicated
to industrial contracts is
available upon the Group’s
request to characterize industrial
wastewater, conduct
feasibility tests in laboratory
and carry out audits or pilot
tests on our clients’ sites.
METAL RECOVERY
Industrial and domestic wastewater
contains metals, as do numerous
types of hazardous waste. In order
to save natural resources, avoid the
dispersion of metallic pollutants
in the environment and prevent
related health risks, it is necessary
to develop technologies to reliably
concentrate and recover these
pollutants in viable environmental
and economic conditions.
Therefore, R&D efforts focus on the
development of innovative recycling
processes such as selective
separation physical-chemical treatments,
with a view to reintegrating
metals into a production cycle.

EVAPO-CONCENTRATION
Certain types of industrial wastewater,
in particular with low biodegradability,
are difficult to treat with traditional
methods. The evapo-concentration
process, which consists of evaporating
and recovering concentrates, makes it
possible to obtain a treated stream.
Our research focuses on increasing the
energy efficiency of this process,
controlling the clogging of the facilities
and managing concentrates, which
must be destroyed, stabilized or
recovered. A new type of exchanger
has been patented and will be tested
on different evaporator configurations
in 2007.
PARTNERS
External partners:
• École des Mines d’Alès
(Engineer School)
• École Centrale de Paris
(Engineer School)
• École Nationale Supérieure
des Industries Chimique
(ENSIC Chemical School)
• University of Metz
• EC Paris
• Laboratory of Electronic Properties
of Solids (CNRS)
• Laboratory of Rare Earth Metal
Chemistry (CNRS)
• National Agricultural Science Institute
Paris Grignon
• LISPB INSA Toulouse
• LGC Toulouse
• ESIP Poitiers
• Laboratory of Studies and Applications
• AIMME (Asociación de Investigación
de la Industria Metalmecánica)
• Renault
• PSA
Internal partners:
• Veolia Water
• Veolia Environmental Services
• Veolia Water STI
• Dalkia
• NAWS
• VWS/Process Solution
• VWS/HPD
• VWS/LED
• VALOREC
SCHEDULE
- Platform to test saline wastewater*: 2005-2008
- Tool to evaluate wastewater variability:
2005 - end of 2007
- Rapid detection of industrial wastewater
biodegradability: 2005-2006
- Make safe hazardous waste diagnosis: 2005-2007
- Piggery discharge treatment: 2005-2007
- Grease and greasy wastewater treatment: 2006-2008
- Study on anaerobic processes: 2005-2008
- Mineral precipitation: 2006-2008
- Automotive paint: 2004-2007
- Electrochemical processes: 2006-2008
- Discharge treatment in the surface treatment industry:
2006-2008
- Selective metal separation using solvent: 2005-2007
*in particular leachates

LIMITING THE IMPACT 12
on the natural environment
LIFECYCLE ANALYSIS
QUANTIFYING THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT OF THE PROCESSES,
IDENTIFYING AREAS FOR IMPROVEMENT
Leader in terms of environmental services, our
Group must be exemplary in limiting the nuisances
caused by its activities on the natural environment.
This requires exhaustive analysis of our businesses’
environmental impact with regard to our processes,
the local context in which they are integrated and
the activities they generate, upstream as well as
downstream.
Tested and standardized, the Lifecycle Analysis
method is internationally appreciated and recognized
to quantify the environmental impact within the
framework of public policy evaluations, strategic
decisions relative to operational solutions, development
of marketing tools or determination of new R&D
areas. We have been evaluating and using it for the
past four years and it has demonstrated its relevance
for analyzing our environmental performance and
identifying areas for improvement in the development
of our processes and services. Our work is in line
with the EOLIA approach designed to evaluate
Veolia businesses’ environmental performance.
The analysis of our impact on the environment
results in the implementation of measures
aimed at reducing our greenhouse gases
emissions.
GREENHOUSE
LIMITATION
GASES
IN SHORT
Our research aims at optimizing Veolia Environnement
activities’ environmental performance, in particular
their impact on climate change and energy efficiency.
Our work focuses on: evaluating methods to analyze
the impact of our processes throughout their lifecycle;
ecological assessments; designing environmental
decision-making aid tools; proposing optimization
solutions. In 2006, we started implementing a
software designed to evaluate energy and greenhouse
gases assessments in wastewater sludge treatment
processes. The lifecycle analysis of the environmental
impact of biological stabilization before landfilling
(MBT), of traditional landfilling and of the bioreactor
has highlighted the energy deficiency of the MBT
process as well as a disadvantageous greenhouse
gases balance if N2O emissions are not controlled
during pretreatment. The environmental evaluation of
water production processes has provided particularly
interesting results with a view to optimizing seawater
desalination. The first conclusions of the literature
review on the lifecycle analysis of energy systems and
transport (biomass-energy and biofuel) will be the
foundation of the studies to be carried out in these
fields. Finally, tools and methods used to evaluate
the environmental performance of buildings will be
identified and their relevance assessed.

Diagram of the environmental
impact generally taken into
account in lifecycle analysis
LIFECYCLE
ANALYSIS,
AN ISO 14000
METHOD
production
of chemicals
Resource depletion
Eutrophication
Lifecycle Analysis is a standardized method
(ISO 14040 to 14049).
It is used to quantify the environmental impact
(climate change, resource depletion, acidification,
ecotoxicity, photochemical smog, human health, etc.)
generated by products, processes or services
throughout their lifecycle (production, construction,
use, functioning and end-of-life).
This comprehensive method makes it possible
to identify pollution transfers (for example a measure
taken to reduce greenhouse gases can increase lake
eutrophication).
It takes inventory (detailed and quantitative
assessment) of incoming (raw materials, chemicals,
energy, etc.) and outgoing streams (by-products,
recovered energy, discharge into water, air, soil, etc.)
caused by a specific function (waste treatment,
drinking water production, building heating, etc.).
Process lifecycle
energy
production
construction operation dismantling
landfilling - incineration – by-product treatment – land application of by-products
energy
recovery
Ecotoxicity
Destruction
of the ozone layer
transport
Human
health
Acidification
Photochemical
smog
On 8 May 2007, Veolia Environnement
announced its participation in the International
Industrial Chair in Lifecycle Analysis for the
next 5 years, headed by the CIRAIG
(Polytechnic School of Montreal), in partnership
with ten industrial groups (Total, EDF,
Gaz de France, Arcelor Mittal, Alcan, Johnson &
Johnson, etc.).
This commitment reflects our teams’ research
efforts with regard to Lifecycle Analysis methods:
1. WATER
Develop an environmental damage indicator
representing the stress on the water resource
used (applicable to drinking water production,
biomass culture, etc.).
2. CLIMATE CHANGE
Improve the evaluation of our activities’
impact on climate change, taking into account
new scientific advances (N2O measurement,
precursor contribution, greenhouse gases
evolution, etc.).
3. UNCERTAINTIES
The variability of operational data and the
assumptions required for modeling purposes
generate uncertainties. It is necessary to
improve their evaluation in order to assess
their impact in the decision-making process.
4. ALLOCATION
The by-products, secondary raw materials or
energy (clinker, ashes, glycerol, heat, etc.)
generated by our processes give rise to the
ambiguity of “multi-functional” services (e.g.:
waste treatment and energy production).
How and to which streams can our facilities’
environmental impact be allocated?
This research is carried out in partnership
with universities and spearhead institutions,
competent and active in the field of lifecycle
analysis: as well as the CIRAIG, relationships
with UNEP/SETAC Life Cycle Initiative, DTU
University (Denmark), EU LCA Platform
(European Commission) or EPFL (Lausanne)
should be highlighted.

WASTEWATER
SLUDGE TREATMENT
Develop an
environmental
evaluation software
Improving wastewater treatment
efficiency, as required by the
European regulation, has resulted
in an increase in wastewater
sludge production. The multiple
treatment and recovery solutions
– landfill, incineration, land
application, composting, etc.
– must be selected in accordance
with the local context and possible
outlets. We are not only striving
to improve the economic and
technical performance of our
processes, but also their
environmental performance.
As part of the EOLIA approach, we
have developed a decision-making
aid software to manage sludge,
taking into account not only
the impact of our processes but
also the impact upstream and
downstream (production of
chemicals, product and by-product
transportation, etc.).
It is used to evaluate the energy
(consumption and production)
and greenhouse gases balances
(produced and avoided) of the
different processes, from sludge
thickening to final destination.
PARTNERS
• Veolia Water
• Veolia Water System & Technology
• Veolia Environmental Services
• SEDE Environnement
Les filières de traitement des boues
d’épuration urbaines :
• Step • Séchage • Épaississement
• Transport • Compostage • OVH
• CET • Traitements thermiques
• Épandage
WASTE
TREATMENT
Environmental
evaluation of
waste management
processes
Waste treatment and recovery
processes are technically evolving,
as part of increasingly stringent
environmental regulations.
Therefore, it is essential to evaluate
the environmental performance
of the different waste treatment
processes. For example, the 1999
European Directive on “discharge”
plans to limit the amount of
organic waste in landfills.
This is why we are comparing
the environmental impact of
waste biological stabilization
Drying
HTO
Thickening
STEP
Landfill
before landfilling (mechanical and
biological pretreatment by crushing
and composting, referred to as MBT)
and that of traditional storage in
landfills or in bioreactors. Our work
also focuses on other treatment
processes such as biological or
thermal treatments. In addition, we
have designed a study to evaluate
the relevance of recent lifecycle
analysis software specialized
in the evaluation of integrated
waste management, making it
possible to choose the optimal
solution with regard to the local
context.
Transportation
PARTNERS
• Veolia Environmental Services
• DTU (Denmark Technical
University)
Land
application
Thermal
treatments
Domestic wastewater sludge treatment processes
Composting

WATER
PRODUCTION
Energy efficiency
and environmental
performance of
the processes
Increasingly frequent water stress
situations, combined with
the environmental awareness
of public opinion have reinforced
the need to develop energy
efficiency and environmental
performance indicators specific
to drinking water production.
This involves gathering information
specific to the Group and applying,
as part of the EOLIA approach,
environmental evaluation methods
to drinking water production
processes.
The purpose of this project, which
is the object of a Doctoral thesis,
is to optimize the facilities operated
by the Group.
PARTNERS
External partners:
• Polytechnic School of Lausanne
• University of Angers
Internal partner:
• Veolia Water
ENERGY
AND TRANSPORT
SYSTEMS
Environmental
evaluation
In light of fossil fuel depletion,
increase in energy costs and the
need to reduce greenhouse gases
emissions, our objective is
to evaluate, as part of the EOLIA
approach, several energy (heat,
refrigeration, etc.) and transport
processes and services with a view
to improving the environmental
performance of the services
provided by the Group.
The evaluation approach will be
extended to buildings and
ecological communities.
PARTNERS
• Dalkia
• Veolia Environmental Services
• Veolia Transport
SCHEDULE
- Sludge treatment software:
2002-2007
- Water production lifecycle analysis:
2005-2008
- Waste treatment lifecycle analysis:
Landfilling processes (landfills, Bioreactor,
MBT): 2005-2007
Biological treatment processes:
2007-2009
Thermal treatment processes:
2006-2009
Comparison of lifecycle analysis software
for integrated waste management:
2006-2009
- Energy system lifecycle analysis:
Biofuels: 2006-2009
Gasification: 2006-2009
Biogas: 2007-2009
Ecological buildings: 2007-2009

Crédit photo : NASA
LIMITING THE IMPACT 13
on the natural environment
Confirmed during the latest conferences of the
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC),
scientists agree that “it is highly likely (>90%)” that
global warming is due to human activity and that
“for over 90%, the continued emission of greenhouse
gases at the current level or higher would trigger
more significant climate change than that already
experienced”.
Aware of the need to comply with the objectives of
the Kyoto protocol and managing over 88,000 sites
throughout the world, including combustion facilities
and landfills, Veolia Environnement has conducted
research over several years to reduce its greenhouse
gases emissions (estimated at 1/1000th of world
emissions). As well as improving the energy efficiency
of the facilities and developing renewable energies,
research projects aim at collecting, storing and
recovering CO2.
CO2 COLLECTION, STORAGE AND RECOVERY
ADAPTING CO2 COLLECTION, STORAGE AND RECOVERY PROCESSES TO THE SIZE AND
WIDESPREAD LOCATIONS OF THE GROUP’S FACILITIES
GREENHOUSE
LIMITATION
By definition, our research on CO2 collection,
storage and recovery, aimed at stopping CO2
emissions or reducing the quantity in the
atmosphere (when it applies to renewable
energy combustion), contributes to fighting against
climate change.
GASES
IN SHORT
Our research on greenhouse gases is based on the multiple
expertises of all Veolia Environnement entities. Its
objective is to find CO2 collection solutions adapted to the
size of the facilities managed by the Group, set up CO2
recovery processes compatible with their geographical
spread and widely acceptable with regard to the risks and
challenges inherent in the implementation of new
technologies.
In 2006, we drew up state of the art CO2 collection,
transportation, storage and recovery processes, analyzed
the technical and economical data of our facilities,
pre-selected a collection technology and launched a prefeasibility
survey for its implementation.

PROBLEMS
- Finding CO2 collection solutions adapted to
the different sizes of Veolia’s facilities.
International experts estimate that over 60%
of the world’s CO2 emissions come from
electricity production and industry. It is
technically possible to collect them. In light of
the investment level involved, this solution
will only initially be applicable to major
emitters of concentrated emissions. In order
to become competitive on low emission sites,
technological advances are needed. We must
decide whether collection solutions adapted
to major emitters can be transposed to
smaller facilities or whether it is more viable
to apply other techniques to these facilities.
R&D is preparing to equip large facilities.
Considering the size of the facilities managed
by the Group and the probable evolution of
emission characteristics (increased use of
carbon by Veolia’s geographical development
areas, combined with the use of renewable
energies and improvement in energy efficiency),
we are also examining CO2 collection pilots
for low emission sites.
- Set up CO2 collection, transportation, storage
and recovery processes. The diffuse
characteristic of the emissions generated by
the Group and other industries makes CO2
collection (and eventual concentration) a
complex issue. Transportation issues must be
examined with regard to the distance separating
emission locations from storage or recovery
locations. Storage possibilities and security must
also be examined. To set up sustainable recovery
solutions, we must participate in geological or
biological storage experiments in order to
identify technological and economic viability.
- Define a widely acceptable framework with regard to
risks and challenges involved in innovative technologies.
Issues relative to the legal framework, status of the stored
CO2, medium and long-term guarantees and social
acceptance are non technical elements which must also
be analyzed and dealt with by R&D.
Historically, research projects have initially focused
on methane, which has a global warming potential
(GWP) 21 times higher than CO2. Thus, it is collected
and recovered by the Group in over 70% of its landfills.
It is continuing studies to optimize industrial
methane collection and recovery processes.
(see form 23 Energy from waste).
CO2 COLLECTION
EMISSION SOURCES
TRANSPORTATION
TRANSPORTATION
PARTNERS
External partners:
• Pending
STORAGE
Internal partners:
• Veolia Environmental
Services
• Veolia Energy
RECOVERY
INDUSTRY USING CO2
IN ITS PROCESSES

PROGRAM
DETAILS
CO2 collection, transportation, storage and recovery
General actions
• General summary (regulatory, legal, economic, political, social acceptability, image risk,
energy scenarios).
• Define potential solutions in connection with facility characteristics and the Group’s current and
future emissions.
• Inform and communicate with the different stakeholders (public, institutions, etc.).
Technical studies
• Lifecycle analysis (ACV) and study of technological risks.
• Recommendations to Dalkia facilities so that they are ready to implement the CO2 collection technology.
• Evaluate CO2 collection (traditional and disruptive technologies), storage and reuse.
• Participate in a large-scale international project.
Set up a CO2 collection and storage pilot
• Pre-feasibility study, select pilot site.
• Feasibility study, contractual and financial arrangements.
• Instrumentation specifications, research design, general studies.
• Select and order a collection solution.
• Global experience feedback.
SCHEDULE
- CO2 collection, storage and recovery: 2006-2010
GWP (Global Warming Potential)
OF GREENHOUSE GASES
Gases implicated in climate change are
carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (NH4),
nitrous oxide (N2O), fluorides (HFC),
sulfur hexafluoride (SF6) and
perfluorocarbons (PFC).
If the global warming potential of CO2
is considered equal to 1, that of the other
greenhouse gases is equivalent to:
CH4: 21
N2O: 310
SF6: 140 to 11,700
HFC: 23,900
PFC: 6,500 to 9,200

Air distribution system
Interior air quality in premises constitutes a
crucial issue in terms of public health but also
energy control and building design.
Improving interior air quality is one of the
priorities of the 2004-2008 National Health and
Environment Plan. Numerous studies have
highlighted the fact that specific pollutants
could be produced and accumulated in buildings.
Some of them may be responsible for many
pathologies: Sick Building Syndrome, allergoses
and nosocomial infections.
The increased popularity of tertiary retail
buildings in the last few years, combined with
the evolution of practices (reinforced lighting in
shops, installation of glass roofs) have also resulted
in increased ventilation and air conditioning
requirements. Therefore, it is necessary to
upgrade ventilation strategies while minimizing
energy expenditure and guaranteeing supply air
quality and thermal comfort. In addition,
controlling interior air quality requires validating
innovative air treatment and decontamination
technologies for air distribution systems.
IMPROVING14
quality of life
IMPROVING INTERIOR AIR QUALITY
OPTIMIZING THE ENERGY AND HEALTH-RELATED PERFORMANCE
OF VENTILATION
IN SHORT
Our research on interior air quality is based on multi-disciplinary
expertise, making it possible to define optimal environmental
conditions. Its purpose is to optimize the energy and healthrelated
performance of ventilation systems. Our research
focuses on: controlling system maintenance, operation and
design; optimizing ventilation strategies and evaluation of air
treatment techniques.
Following the 2005 campaigns, system diagnosis methods
have been optimized. New sites have been selected in order
to monitor system maintenance and contamination by
particulate pollutants over a period of three years. These
measures will make it possible to determine the influence of
technical facilities parameters on their pollution and that of
supply air.
A shopping center was selected in 2006 to develop a digital
airflow modeling tool. The objective is to study ventilation
strategies providing optimal energy and health-related
performance. Sensors have already been installed throughout
the site and modeling feasibility has been established based on
the data collected.
Finally, commercial air treatment technologies were examined
and the most relevant ones identified.A test bench necessary to
assess them has been created, with as primary objective the
study of traditional filters and the evolution of their efficiency,
as well as the risk of releasing dust over time.

PROBLEMS
Control the concentration risks of certain
pollutants, often related to poor interior air
renewal (i.e caulking windows to save energy).
Identify health risks to:
- Define and control good design, operation
and maintenance practices in ventilation
systems.
- Optimize ventilation strategies.
- Evaluate innovative treatment techniques in
terms of performance and cost.
If necessary, recommend good treatment
techniques.
PARTNERS
• French Office for Public
Health Engineering
• EDF R&D
PROGRAM
DETAILS
Impact of ventilation systems on public health
Implement measurement campaigns on 4 sites over 3 years,
designed to study the influence of ventilation system design,
operation and maintenance on contamination by particulate,
chemical and microbiological pollutants identified as
potential health risks.

Ventilation strategies
- Select a large-capacity Public Access Building.
- On-site data collection from operators (geometry,
ventilation and ventilation management, traffic).
- Airflow measurement campaigns in certain air treatment
units.
- Develop a digital airflow modeling tool based on this data
(using CFD modeling - Computational Fluid Dynamics
- and Matlab/Simulink) in order to examine the ventilation
strategies providing optimal health (T, HR and CO2) and
energy-related performance.
Air treatment techniques
- Assess the existing range of air treatment processes
to identify the most promising air treatment technologies.
- Implement a test bench to study traditional filtration
and evaluate the technical and economic performance
of innovative technologies.
SCHEDULE
- Impact of ventilation systems
on public health: 2005-2010
- Ventilation strategies: 2006-2009
- Air treatment techniques: 2004-2009
Air distribution system
Pilot simulating air shafts
Sampling of airborne microorganisms inair distributionsystems

Membrane module
Due to the deterioration of the aquatic environment
by anthropic pollutions, emergence of new health
risks, increasingly demanding consumers and
drinking water regulations, the efficiency of water
treatment systems must be reinforced.
Membrane processes act as a filter retaining the
microscopic elements. Used to produce drinking
water, they are a physical barrier to pollution: on
their own or combined with adsorbents, depending
on the membrane matrix, they retain particles,
natural organic materials, chemical pollutants (in
particular pesticides) and pathogenic microorganisms.
As they do not use reagents, they do not affect the
taste of water. However, the competitiveness of
membrane technologies must improve to avoid
clogging issues and reduce energy consumption.
They are in fact increasingly used in wastewater
treatment processes.
IMPROVING15
quality of life
WATER FILTRATION MEMBRANES
OPTIMIZING MEMBRANE PROCESSES,
DEVELOPING HYBRID PROCESSES AND NEW TREATMENT LINES
IN SHORT
Our research on drinking water plants aims at
improving membrane process performance and
developing new treatment processes. It also focuses on
the upstream preservation of water resources and
aquatic ecosystems by optimizing the functioning of
these technologies for domestic and industrial
wastewater treatment.
Our work includes the following: development of
characterization tools to select the most efficient
membranes on the market, and operating aid tools to
anticipate clogging; pilot-scale (1 m3/hr) and prototypescale
(100 m3 /hr) process tests combining membrane
and adsorbent material; validation of a process to
remove micropollutants (nitrates, pesticides, etc.);
development of hybrid processes to treat water
containing high amounts of organic materials.

PROBLEMS
Evaluate the membranes available on the
market in order to select the most adapted
to Veolia Water’s applications.
Prevent membrane clogging
Membrane pores tend to clog, sometimes
definitively, due to the elements or impurities
that they retain. In order to optimize
operating costs, it is necessary to characterize
the deposits causing the clogging, improve
water pretreatment solutions and innovate
in terms of process steering.
Develop hybrid membrane processes
The association of membrane processes and
other water treatment processes must be
tested with a view to providing strong
value-added solutions: membranes –
activated carbon combination for drinking
water production, membranes – oxidation
combination for industrial wastewater
treatment, membranes – biological treatment
combination for wastewater treatment, etc.
Develop new treatment processes fulfilling
new quality criteria. Associate rapid and
compact pretreatment processes with
membrane processes for the comprehensive
removal of organic materials.
ARAMIS
The purpose of Veolia’s Membrane Expertise center,
created in 2004 within Veolia’s Water Research Center,
is to:
• independently characterize the performance of membranes
on the market,
• scientifically support the implementation of combinations
with other processes designed to improve water quality,
• monitor membrane properties and performance throughout
their use in order to optimize their functioning
PARTNERS
External partners:
• European Commission
• University of Poitiers
• ENS de Chimie de Rennes
(Chemistry School)
• ENS des Arts et Métiers (Arts and Crafts)
• University of New South Wales
• European membrane Institute
• INSA Toulouse
• University of Angers
• Virology Laboratory - Nancy
• University of Hong Kong
• University of Delft
• Ecole Supérieure d’Ingénieurs
de Montpellier (Engineer School)
• Montreal Polytechnic School
Internal partners:
• Veolia Water
• VWS

PROGRAM
DETAILS
Membrane evaluation
• Develop tools to characterize the mechanical properties and accelerated
ageing of membranes.
Prevent membrane clogging
• Develop operating aid tools to anticipate membrane clogging
problems for both drinking water and wastewater, integrating
in particular the development of an advanced process steering tool.
Develop hybrid membrane processes
• Develop processes combining recirculated powdered activated carbon
and ultrafiltration membranes with innovative solutions in order
to control the clogging phenomena.
• Develop industrial applications for wastewater and industrial water
(new generation membrane bioreactors).
Develop new processes
• The development of new membrane processes in the drinking water sector
with a view to removing organic materials should allow Veolia to offer
new dedicated refining solutions.
SCHEDULE
- Membrane characterization tool: 2004-2008
- Operating aid tool: 2004-2008
- Combination processes: 2002-2007
- Tool for the advanced steering of a drinking water plant: 2004-2007
- Develop industrial wastewater applications: 2003-2008
- Develop new drinking water processes: 2004-2009
Membranes
Membranes

In France, improving the taste of water corresponds
to strong expectations from consumers and local
authorities. While, generally, French people rely on tap
water and are satisfied with its quality, they increasingly
focus on the taste of water, insomuch that this has
become their main concern in terms of water service,
ahead of information on water quality and price.
Though sensory perceptions may be subjective, the
dissatisfaction is very real. According to a 2002 parliamentary
report, 40% of the French think water has a
bad taste.
The issue of taste is not limited to consumers whose
essential water requirements are fulfilled. In hot countries
where water is scarce and not renewed, conditions are
such that the resource has an offensive odor.
Researchers in countries such as Brazil, Chile or Sri Lanka
are also tackling the issue.
Veolia Environnement is striving to make water taste as
neutral as possible. We focus our efforts on the entire
water process. Through better knowledge of resources,
adaptation of treatment processes, understanding of
how the taste of water changes in the pipes, or even the
design of system treatments, research will contribute to
improving the taste quality of water.
IMPROVING16
quality of life
WATER TASTE AND ODOR
IMPROVING THE TASTE QUALITY OF WATER
IN SHORT
Our work aims at understanding water taste and odor
acquisition and evolution phenomena, from the source
to the tap, with a view to improving its taste quality.
It is based on analysis and tasting. We develop ultra
sensitive analytical tools. This year, we filed a patent for
the Twister integrated system, making it possible
to capture highly volatile compounds otherwise
undetectable. We are also conducting on-site surveys
following consumer complaints. For example, in
Nortalje (Norway), where we identified unknown
odorous compounds, we highlighted the combined role
of the water resource, treatment and system in the
formation of the musty taste, which encouraged the
operators to review their processes in order to neutralize
this taste. Finally, we are carrying out tests on pilot
systems: in 2006, we demonstrated the influence of
water temperature and stagnation in the pipes on the
appearance and development of flavor compounds; we
also observed that a polymer coating made of epoxy
resin gave a medicine (phenolic compounds) and musty
(haloanisoles) taste.

PROBLEMS
Improve the taste of water in response to
consumer complaints:
Develop and optimize analytical tools
designed to capture and store odorous
compounds, adapted to our operating
requirements.
Train researchers in water tasting.
Identify and characterize the compounds
giving water its taste and odor, understand
their biochemical evolution, identify the agents
that produce them and the environment
in which they develop.
Find solutions, in partnership with the
Group’s WWTP operators and distribution
system managers, to neutralize odorous
compounds.
Create a database on water odor and taste.
PARTNERS
• Veolia Water
PROGRAM
DETAILS
Optimize investigation technologies
• Odorous compounds, with a concentration rate of roughly
one pictogram (10-12gram/liter), only leave minute,
often sporadic traces in water. Sophisticated tools
are necessary to capture and fix these evanescent molecules.
We have selected the Twister, an ultra sensitive
sensor-recorder invented by a Belgian chemist to concentrate
the volatile compounds of a liquid solution.
The objective of our research is to optimize this technology.
Train researchers
in water tasting
• Tasting is fundamental in the
research on the taste of water.
By revealing an odor or taste,
it indicates a probable cause
of taste and guides analytical
studies. It is also used to define
odor and taste thresholds and
assess the efficiency of the
neutralization measures implemented.
Ten researchers underwent basic taste training
(introduction to the physiology of taste and odor,
identification of basic flavors) in order to participate
in “tasting events”.

Nortalje project
• In Nortalje, a Swedish community of municipalities of
35,000 inhabitants, the water has had a musty smell for 10 years.
Having managed the drinking water production plant since 2003,
Veolia launched a research program to solve this problem.
- Study of odorous compounds. First use of Twister.
Identification of 5 odorous compounds and their precursors,
4 of which had never been listed before.
- Water sampling for a year at various points in the system,
highlighting the role of the system and natural organic material
in the formation of odorous compounds.
Rennes project
• As part of the fight to regain the taste of water, carried out
by Veolia Water in Rennes for the last 4 years, our work aims
at characterizing the molecules responsible for taste within
the resources and treatment processes and analyzing the impact
of technical modifications on odorous compounds and their precursors.
Pilot studies
• Two pilot systems, in which the Maisons-Laffitte water circulates,
have made it possible to study the role of different parameters on the taste
of water: stagnation time, temperature and biofilm formation on the one hand
and the type of pipe lining on the other.
SCHEDULE
- Nortalje project: 2003-2006
- Rennes project: 2005-2006
- Pilot studies: 2005-2006
- Characterize odorous compounds: since 2001
Water resource – Sweden
Twister

Domestic Hot Water System (DHWS) pilot in Maisons-Laffitte
IMPROVING17
quality of life
LEGIONELLA RISK PREVENTION
STUDYING LEGIONELLA, DEVELOPING ANALYSIS METHODS
AND OPTIMIZING SECURITY IN FACILITIES
Legionella are bacteria present in nature: in lakes,
rivers, humid soil, etc. They characteristically multiply
and colonize certain artificial water environments
such as domestic hot water systems (supplying
showers and bathtubs) and cooling towers
(where plumes containing suspended water droplets
depart). Inhaling these droplets, if they are heavily
contaminated by pathogenic legionella, can cause
legionnaire’s disease, a non contagious disease
which can cause serious infections among the
immunodeficient population, mortal in 20% of the
cases. Therefore, it is important to prevent their proliferation
in the equipment managed by Veolia
Environnement.
A good practice guide designed using the Group’s
multi-disciplinary expertise (thermal, hydraulic,
water treatment, analysis) helps hot water and energy
facility operators manage this health risk. It is
continually updated by our experience feedback,
technological surveillance and R&D work.
IN SHORT
We are looking to prevent legionella developing in the
facilities managed by the Group, while optimizing our
decontamination action and having a better understanding
of infectious risks. We are participating in
studies to improve our knowledge of legionella and
amoeba – for example, a 2006 bibliographical research
showed that the presence of pathogenic amoeba in hot
water systems seemed low. We are developing analysis
methods to quickly detect and quantify pathogenic
legionella – thus, the PCR technique (polymerase chain
reaction) is adapted to measure chlorine disinfection
efficiency. Our evaluation of decontamination process
performance has also led us to focus on the fight
against biofilm, a layer containing microorganisms and
formed in domestic hot water pipes and cooling towers.
We have tested materials for domestic hot water
systems – stainless steel and copper delay legionella
colonization of biofilm. We have also validated hot
water production configurations to control legionella
risks and optimized the Group’s biocidal strategy for
cooling towers.

PROBLEMS
Improve our understanding of legionella
and the contamination phenomena in
order to prevent their proliferation in our
facilities.
Improve health risk control using faster and
more specific analysis methods.
Make safe the facilities managed by the
Group, by optimizing decontamination
methods, evaluating the materials used for
pipes and improving equipment configuration.
PARTNERS
External partners:
• University of Poitiers
(Water and environmental
chemistry laboratory)
• Rennes National Public
Health School
• Lille Pasteur Institute
• Paris Pasteur Institute
• INSERM
• École Supérieure
de Chimie de Poitiers
(Chemistry School)
Internal partners:
• Dalkia
• Veolia Water STI
• Proxiserve
• Aquabellec
• OFIS
• Veolia Water
PROGRAM
DETAILS
Improve knowledge
• Study amoeba/legionella interactions.
Amoeba can be used by legionella as a reservoir to protect
them against treatment and enhance their resistance.
In addition, certain species are directly pathogenic to
mankind and can cause infections. To optimize the safety
of our facilities, it is therefore essential to assess:
- the health risk related to the presence of amoeba,
- the impact of our decontamination treatments
(notably biocidal) on amoeba and legionella growing
within amoeba.
• Study the link between contamination and infection.
Facility contamination does not necessarily mean population
infection. The epidemiological survey carried out with
INSERM (Légion’air) should specify the link between
legionella concentration in water and infection levels
of the people exposed.
+
HEALTH
The purpose of the Legion’air epidemiological survey
carried out with INSERM is to evaluate older people’s
exposure to legionella in retirement homes and specify
the link between exposure level and the appearance of
health disorders.
The results of this survey will contribute to defining
a health risk threshold with regard to legionella.
Develop analysis methods
Legionella is undetectable by traditional culture methods
in cold water systems, which is why more precise analysis
methods must be developed. The rapid PCR analysis method
(polymerase chain reaction), consisting of copying a fragment
of the genetic material (DNA) of legionella to make it
quantifiable and detectable has been validated.

It is pending approval by AFNOR (French standardization association).
It is used by the CAE for clean water.We are optimizing it for polluted
environments. Current developments focus on combining it with a viability
test and interpreting the results according to operating conditions.
Furthermore, the development of methods to evaluate biofilm and
characterize the mineral and organic fraction will be useful in exploring
innovative solutions to fight against biofilm more efficiently.
Make facilities safer
• Studies of the contamination and disinfection processes of domestic hot water
systems on a pilot have highlighted:
- the major role played by biofilm in system colonization,
- the rapid re-colonization of hot water systems after chlorine and thermal
shock treatments,
- the low impact of continuous disinfection processes on biofilm.
Of course, they have also confirmed the predominant role of temperature
in legionella development.
Current developments focus on:
- innovative biological or physical solutions designed to fight against biofilm,
- the role of amoeba in legionella colonization,
- the evaluation, in relation to the fight against legionella development,
of alternative materials for pipes (copper, stainless steel, GEVI).
• Validate pilot results in the field.
Implement analysis campaigns in Dalkia’s domestic hot water systems.
• Study the impact of hot water production on the safety of domestic hot
water systems.
Monitor a new domestic hot water production pilot and on-site studies
(monitor the Cetethem technology, campaign to make domestic hot water
systems safer).
• Evaluate the impact of biocides on cooling towers.
New priority, notably due to French regulations (2004 order) and epidemics
(in Lens at the end of 2003): our developments relate to validating our biocidal
strategies in laboratories and in the field.
SCHEDULE
- Contamination/infection study (Légion’air): 2003-2006
- PCR analysis methods: 2002-2006
- Evaluate biocides in domestic hot water systems: 2002-2008
- Evaluate biocides in cooling towers: 2006-2009
- Evaluate piping materials: 2002-2007
- Evaluate domestic hot water system equipment configurations:
2005-2007
Cooling tower
Cooling tower
Legionella
Legionella

Computer ticketing and transport information on mobile phones
There are 50 million mobile phone users in France
and 2.5 billion worldwide. The new contactless
interface called NFC (Near Field Communication)
makes it possible to promote access to public
transports: with a keyboard, screen and secure
payment connection, it can turn into a purchase
terminal; capable of acting like a remote ticketing
card, it can become a ticket; contactless electronic
label reader displayed, for example, on a bus stop
pillar, it can become a source of information on
schedules or traffic disruptions.
Nearly all the mobile phones sold in Japan and
Korea are already NFC equipped. They will be
available in France in 2008.
The main mobile phone and transport operators in
France are currently working on a standard to create
the conditions for the success of NFC mobile computer
ticketing implementation in France. This standard
should be adopted by the end of 2007. Roughly ten
Veolia Transport networks could adopt it within
2 years.
By promoting the use of public transport, we are
contributing to achieving the appropriate balance
between transportation modes.
IMPROVING18
quality of life
MOBILE PHONE CUSTOMER SERVICE
DEVELOPING COMPUTER TICKETING AND TRANSPORT INFORMATION
ON NFC MOBILE PHONES
IN SHORT
We are working on 3 projects aimed at developing
computer ticketing and transport information on NFC
mobile phones. The first experiment in France was
carried out by Veolia Transport in 2005 with the Tilamo
project. Spontaneously adopted by the 30 members of
the panel, the solution is destined to be standardized in
the Nice-Côte d’Azur conurbation by 2008. We also
initiated the international TreiZEN pilot project, related
to an independent telecommunication operator
solution. Currently in the deployment phase in the
Bouches-du-Rhône department, it is being tested on
150 users. Finally, the first commercial mobile computer
ticketing system will be launched in the Bordeaux
urban community at the end of 2007 (B’Pass project).
In less than 3 years, this solution switched from
experimental phase to commercial deployment.

PROBLEMS
Integrate the NFC mobile phone as a computer
ticketing and transport information tool
into Veolia Transport networks:
• evaluate the technical feasibility of its
application,
• check user acceptance and relevance of the
service provided,
• position Veolia Transport in this domain by
specifying its objectives and resources,
• design an economic model.
PARTNERS
Tilamo
• Veolia and ST2N
• France Telecom
• ACS (formerly Ascom)
• CANCA
TreiZEN
• Nokia (Finland) and Venyon
• Veolia
• ERG (France and Australia)
• Crandy (remote banking – Germany)
• General Council of the Bouches-du-Rhône
department
• SITCA (Aubagne Organizing Authority)
B’Pass
• France Telecom / Orange
• Veolia
• CUB (Bordeaux Urban Community)
PROGRAM
DETAILS
Tilamo (Mobile Ligne d’azur ticket)
Computer ticketing experiment on 30 public
transport users of the Nice-Côte d’Azur
conurbation (CANCA).
Computer ticketing and transport information on mobile phones
Purchase ticket
My tickets
Help
You have 5 tickets left
in your pack of 10
one-way tickets
Pack of 10
one-way tickets
THE PUBLIC TRANSPORT NETWORK
OF THE NICE CÔTE D'AZUR CONURBATION
SCHEDULE
You have selected:
Pack of 10
one-way tickets
Price: 10 Euros
Validate your selection
You have just left
the mticket service.
Thank you for
your visit.
- Tilamo: October 2005 - February 2007
- TreiZEN: April 2007 - October 2007
- B’Pass: from the end of 2007
- commercial rollout

TreiZEN
This international experiment focuses on computer ticketing
and passenger information, within the context of multiple
telecom and transport operators, in urban and interurban
networks. Its purpose is to design, in partnership with Nokia,
an NFC computer ticketing solution independent of telecom
operators, throughout the world, quickly and economically.
It is being carried out with French, Finnish, Swiss, German
and Australian partners, as well as 150 users in the
Bouches-du-Rhône department.
Purchase Validate
Test a new service for the easy purchase
and validation of your tickets
Passenger on the Aubagne – Marseille
shuttle or Aubagne Buses
To be part of the experiment,
contact Julien on : 06.18.73.18.05
Treizen: Test the transport of the future
B’Pass
Large-scale deployment of computer ticketing and
passenger information services on NFC mobile
phones in the Bordeaux urban community (CUB).
As the first commercial launch of this type of service
in Europe (mid 2007), this project will be used as
a reference (functional, economic, technical and
in terms of partnership) to create a sustainable
economic model.
The NFC offer will be available in all Orange outlets
(agencies and distributors). As well as transport
services (B’Pass), it will also be used for payment
(Monoprix and Galeries Lafayette – with Cofinoga),
reading electronic advertising labels (on Clear
Channel equipment) and access to municipal
services.

TEOR bus (Transport of the Eastern and Western Rouen region)
Bus driving aid systems have developed in the last
few years. France is leading the way in this domain,
with the TEOR project in Rouen (Transport of the
Eastern and Western Rouen region), which uses optical
guidance. This system, which applies to articulated
buses (Agora and Citelis), is based on on-board
cameras and specific ground marking. It relates to
the lateral element of driving technique: it is used to
approach stations, with a result similar to that of
tramways and subways and allows the driver to be
more careful when approaching them.
Taking into account the longitudinal element could
provide additional information, relative to passenger
comfort and fuel consumption. The extended use of
on-board computer communication equipment
could also help operate and maintain buses.
By developing these systems on the networks
managed by the Group, we are improving the
quality of the service provided to passengers as well
as their safety. We are therefore promoting the use
of public transport. We are also gaining productivity
by optimizing fuel consumption and vehicle
maintenance.
IMPROVING19
quality of life
TOP-OF-THE-RANGE BUS: ANGO
DEVELOPING A RATIONAL DRIVING AID SYSTEM,
EVALUATING A REMOTE DIAGNOSTIC SYSTEM FOR MAINTENANCE PURPOSES
IN SHORT
The main purpose of the ANGO project, which
completes the TEOR project, is to develop a rational
driving aid system: our research focuses on the
consideration of passenger comfort and fuel
consumption (longitudinal driving aid). The project
also includes the integration of an on-board remote
diagnostic system which will be used to optimize
vehicle maintenance. It is based on a comprehensive
range of computer communication equipment (FMS
Interface, on-board computer, MMI, optical camera,
GPS) and specific algorithms based on different
databases which will be embedded in a Citelis
articulated “prototype” vehicle from the TEOR fleet.

TEOR bus (Transport of the Eastern and Western Rouen region)
PROBLEMS
Develop a driving aid system on board vehicles
for a “continuous education” in rational
driving.
Evaluate a remote diagnostic system to
optimize vehicle maintenance.
MMI on-board remote diagnostic system
Driving information, route illustration,
anomalies, Speed/Consumption,
Speed/comfort
PROGRAM
DETAILS
Step 1
• Draw up application file to be submitted to PREDIT
(July 2005).
Step 2
• Notify project and define specifications (February 2006).
Step 3
• Develop equipment and test bench trials (2006-2007).
Step 4
• Integrate and test equipment on ANGO vehicle
(summer 2007).
Step 5
• Final experiment on ANGO vehicle (2008).
PARTNERS
External partners:
• PREDIT
• Siemens TS
• Iveco France
• INRETS – LTN / LTE / LEOST / LBMH
• LCPC - LIVIC
Internal partners:
• VEOLIA Transport
(Rouen, Béziers)

TEOR bus (Transport of the Eastern andWesternRouenregion)
SCHEDULE
- Project starts: February 2006
- First on-board tests on ANGO vehicle: August 2007
- Final on-site experiment in Rouen: February 2009

Employee of a waste sorting center
The quality of natural environments such as water, air and soil
has a recognized impact on health. This environmental influence
on human health is stipulated in the first article of the
environmental charter adopted on 28 February 2005, stating that
“everyone is entitled to live within a balanced and healthy
environment”.
Environmental health is an integral part of public health, as it
relates to the prevention of and improvement in population
health at a collective level. In order to respond to everyone’s
concerns with regard to the short and medium-term
consequences of exposure to environmental pollutions and to
structure initiatives designed to prevent health risks due to these
pollutions, a National Health-Environment Plan (PNSE) was
launched in France in 2004. This approach is in line with a
European and international one. The PNSE has three major
objectives, i.e.:
- guarantee quality air and drinking water,
- prevent environment-related pathologies,
- improve public information and protect susceptible populations
(children and pregnant women).
Reducing the environmental impact is at the heart of Veolia
Environnement’s businesses: drinking water production and
distribution, wastewater collection and treatment, energy
management and production, public transport development. The
Group is also continually investing in the search for new
technologies and processes, always wishing to respect environment
and health.
Veolia Environnement’s involvement is demonstrated, in terms of
research and development, in its in-depth knowledge of our businesses’
impact on population health, Group employees, service
users or people residing near our facilities. It corresponds with a
genuine health risk prevention and sustainable development
approach.
IMPROVING20
quality of life
HEALTHCARE RESEARCH AND EXPERTISE
IMPROVING OUR EMPLOYEES’ WORKING CONDITIONS, GUARANTEEING OUR CONSUMERS
AND SERVICE USERS’S HEALTH, AND VALIDATING THE HARMLESSNESS OF OUR FACILITIES
ON RESIDENTS’ HEALTH
IN SHORT
In developed countries, industrial risks associated
with the discharge into the environment are
mastered more efficiently and the water distributed
is of good quality.
Health risks likely to persistently affect populations
are on a small scale and therefore difficult to assess,
whether for employees, service users or people
residing near our facilities.
Analyzing these risks requires specific medical,
technical and biostatistical expertise.
Our research program in terms of healthcare is
based on strict methodologies including
epidemiology (study of population health),
exposure studies and Health Risk Assessment (ERS)
as proposed by the American Science Academy.
These tools allow us to conduct different types
of projects contributing to analyzing health risks:
identification of biological, physical or chemical hazards,
evaluation of exposure to these hazards and
quantification of the risks related to this exposure.
Risk evaluation also implies innovations in terms
of sampling and analysis techniques to measure
exposure.
Our mission is to identify emerging hazards to
anticipate new health issues. This mission requires
in particular systematic bibliographical monitoring.
We are in charge, in close collaboration with the
Group’s Technical Divisions and Health-Safety
Divisions, of (co-) supervising specialized task
forces aimed at providing answers in the sector of
healthcare.

Public drinking fountain in Tangier (Morocco)
PROBLEMS
Evaluate the impact of our activities on the
serviced population health health in order to
be able to recommend corrective actions.
Characterize employees’ exposure in order to
provide targeted prevention or protection
solutions.
Identify new health hazards and guarantee
the harmlessness of the Group’s new processes
and services.
Define internal human health thresholds of
Veolia Environnement to compensate for
the absence of regulations or when these
regulations are different from one country to
another.
SCHEDULE
- Evaluate the impact of the Amendis -
Tangier program on health: 2004-2009
- Evaluate the exposure of wastewater
treatment plants’ employees
to bioaerosols: 2006-2008
- Characterize and quantify bioaerosols
emitted during municipal waste and
fermentable waste collection and
in sorting centers: 2003-2006
- Exposure of research centers’
employees to chemical pollutants:
2006-2007
PROGRAM
DETAILS
Epidemiological survey in Tangier
Water and wastewater treatment are two crucial public
health issues. Population health is related to drinking water
quality (water-borne diseases) and scarcity as well as
wastewater treatment efficiency.
A vast program was initiated for the 2004-2009 period in
order to improve the drinking water supply and wastewater
treatment of several areas of Tangier, a Moroccan coastal city
with 750,000 inhabitants. At the same time, the impact
of this work on health was evaluated.
Epidemiological monitoring was put in place within the
15 healthcare centers and 2 hospitals in order to monitor
the incidence of three diseases related to water quality:
diarrheas affecting children under 5, conjunctivitis and skin
diseases in the entire population. In addition, bi-annual
investigations were conducted in two pilot areas without
wastewater treatment plants at the beginning of the survey
and for which water supply was limited to public drinking
fountains and wells. For each survey, 70 households were
interviewed with regard to the quantity of water consumed,
hygienic practices, socio-educational level and exposure
to bathing water.
Samples of the water stored in each household were also
collected for bacteriological analysis.
Finally, the microbiological quality of Tangier’s seawater
and beach sand was monitored.
Veolia Environnement employees’ exposure
The employees working in residual household waste and
domestic bio-waste collection were monitored to determine
the potential levels of exposure to bioaerosols (1) depending
on the type of waste, waste temperature and storage time.
In waste sorting centers, campaigns to measure bioaerosols
and dust were conducted to evaluate employees’ exposure
depending on the position held and on the agents’s nature.
The objective of the third survey is to characterize and
quantify bioaerosol emissions generated by wastewater
treatment processes. This survey aims at mapping the types
of exposure to which employees are subjected in order
to optimize, if necessary, the prevention measures already
in place.
(1) Microorganisms and biological agents conveyed by liquid or
solid particles suspended in the air.

Risk evaluation and analysis
A chemical risk assessment method adapted to
the different activities of Veolia Environnement’s
research centers has been proposed for each workstation.
As with any other risk assessment method, this approach is
based on the study of employees’ exposure to the chemicals
present in the workplace. This project is carried out in collaboration
with the Hygiene and Safety coordinators of the research centers and
involves the Human Resources Department of the Research Division.
In order to identify health issues related to the land spreading of sludge,
a quantitative evaluation of the health risks related to the presence of certain
chemicals in sludge has been carried out.
Monitoring and anticipation
Different task forces have been set up to identify research requirements in terms of health
in the cleaning sector, to define good practices with regard to “legionella” risk prevention and support
the enforcement of the REACH regulation in cleaning businesses. These task forces unite Veolia Environmental
Services’ Research Division,Technical and Treatment Divisions and Health Safety Quality Environment Division.
Employee of a wastewater treatment plant
Employee of a wastewater treatment plant
PARTNERS
External partners:
• INSERM
• National School of Public Health
• Moroccan Ministry of Health
• Ecole Centrale de Nantes (Engineer School in Nantes)
• INERIS
• Industrial and Environmental Hygiene Institute within
the National Arts and Crafts Conservatory
• Cooperative Network for Waste Research
• Health & Waste Network
• International Life Sciences Institute
Internal partners:
• Amendis
• Ofis
• Veolia Environmental Services’ Technical
and Treatment Divisions
• Veolia Water’s Technical Division
• Veolia Environmental Services’ Health Safety Quality
Environment Division
• Veolia Water’s Prevention Health Safety Division
• SEDE Environnement
• Veolia Environnement’s Campus

Fuel cell in Sarreguemines (collective housing)
EVALUATING THE PERFORMANCE
OF FUEL CELL TECHNOLOGIES
FUEL CELL
In light of the increasing energy demand worldwide
(over 57% in the next 20 years), the depletion of fossil
fuel reserves and the need to reduce greenhouse
gases emissions, it is necessary to exploit current
energy resources more efficiently and explore new
ones.
Fuel cell technologies, making it possible to produce
energy from oxygen and hydrogen, were recognized
as a solution for the future by the Kyoto Protocol in
1992. While hydrogen essentially comes from fossil
resources, these technologies are also interesting in
the short term due to their energy efficiency:
electrical efficiency up to 50% or more can be
observed on prototypes or pre-production devices.
Other than natural gas reforming, there are other
ways to produce hydrogen. These are already subject
to numerous studies: water electrolysis, biomass,
biogas. Manufacturers already offer solutions
running on biogas, for example.
Fuel cell research contributes to preparing for
tomorrow’s energy transformations, hydrogen being
destined to take over from fossil fuels in the long
term.
DEVELOPING21
alternative sources of energy
Aimed at limiting the use of fossil fuels to
produce energy and eliminating their use
in the future, our research on fuel cells
contributes to reducing greenhouse gases
emissions.
GREENHOUSE
LIMITATION
GASES
IN SHORT
Our research aims at evaluating fuel cell potential by
participating in technological developments and
testing their integration into the range of our energy
services. We are evaluating their technical, economic
and environmental performance and identifying the
training requirements necessary to run this type of
facilities. Since 2002, we have been exploring several
leads: we evaluated an emergency electrical system
until 2005 (HELPS project) which proved reliable; we
installed and tested “low temperature”fuel cells for two
years (PEMC) designed for the heating and lighting of
residential buildings; we installed and are in the process
of testing a medium-capacity “high temperature” fuel
cell (MCFC) in the boiler room of a residential building;
we are involved in the creation of the first French
cogeneration prototype based on a “high temperature”
fuel cell (GECOPAC project) as well as in the development
of new materials for low-pressure hydrogen storage;
we are also exploring decentralized power production
for our industrial clients using stationary fuel cells.

PROBLEMS
Establish experience feedback on fuel cell
systems by evaluating the technical,
environmental and economical performance
of the different technologies available on
the market. This should allow Veolia
Environnement to estimate investment
and maintenance costs and optimize the
long-term management of these emerging
systems.
Examine hydrogen production and storage,
crucial to the economy of hydrogen and the
control of associated risks. The use of fuel
cells raises the issue of supply. Current state
of the art technology is based on the
transformation of natural gas into hydrogen,
which is the only fuel acceptable by a fuel
cell core but does not exist in gaseous form
in its natural state.
STATIONARY AND ON-BOARD
APPLICATIONS
Veolia Environnement is currently looking into stationary
energy production applications which can potentially be used
in housing, public buildings, industry and so-called “sensitive”
units (hospitals, military sites, banks).
In the longer term, fuel cells can be used in transport
(road, bus, marine, railway) either for traction or to supply
power to the auxiliary units of the vehicles.
FUEL CELL TECHNOLOGIES
The following is currently available:
• so-called “high temperature” fuel cells (SOFC, MCFC),
exclusively designed for stationary production (electricity
and cogeneration). They seem to have a greater efficiency.
• so-called “low temperature” fuel cells (PEMFC), designed
essentially for emergency electricity due to their rapid
start and low failure rate when starting up.
PARTNERS
External partners:
• European community
• EDF
• ADEME
• Local authorities
• CFC Solutions
• Ile-de-France Regional Council
• CEA
• Snecma
• Centre Regional Council
• Orléans Rectorate
• N-GHY
• Alphea
• CNRS
• OPAC Paris

PROGRAM
DETAILS
Evaluate stationary systems (Regional Fuel Cell project)
• Evaluate performance, ageing and integration and acquisition costs of fuel cells
designed to be used in cogeneration for the heating and lighting of buildings
(PEMFC, SOFC and MCFC fuel cells).
GECOPAC project (Combined energy generation by fuel cell)
• Design, build and test the first French cogeneration prototype based on a 5 kW
fuel cell (SOFC fuel cell).
Tests should be carried out in a high school (Saint-Pierre-des-Corps, Indre-et-Loire
department).
SCHEDULE
- Test the 3 Vaillant fuel cells: 2004-2006
all-comprehensive assessment in 2007
- MCFC fuel cell test (CELLIA Pure Energy): 2007-2013
- GECOPAC project: 2004-2008
Researcher examining a cell
Interior of a cell

Biomass boiler
In light of the increasing worldwide energy demand,
the depletion of fossil fuel reserves and the need to
reduce greenhouse gases emissions, it is necessary to
exploit renewable energy sources. For the past ten
years or so, Dalkia has managed thermal facilities
using renewable energies, in particular biomass
boilers. The Group is operating over 80 biomass
boiler plants - nearly 60 in France, for an installed
capacity of 148 MW, and more than twenty in the
rest of Europe.
This process needs to be examined so that the entire
potential is exploited, performance optimized and
environmental impact perfectly controlled.
BIOMASS RECOVERY IN THERMAL FACILITIES
DEVELOPING22
alternative sources of energy
IMPROVING THE ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL EFFICIENCY OF BIOMASS BOILERS
AND EVALUATING THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT OF THE PROCESS
PARTNERS
External partners:
• Ecole des Mines de Douai
(Engineer School)
• ADEME • CNAM
Internal partners:
• Dalkia
• Veolia Environmental
Services-Wood sector
• Veolia Water
Replacing fossil fuel with biomass, a
renewable energy, in thermal facilities,
reduces greenhouse gases emissions.
GREENHOUSE
LIMITATION
GASES
IN SHORT
Our research aims at improving the energy and
environmental efficiency of combustion facilities using
biomass and controlling the environmental impact of
the process. To this end, we commissioned a 400 kW
pilot biomass boiler in 2006. An initial test campaign
was run to characterize the combustion of natural
wood waste, more or less treated with a view to
evaluating the influence of the quality on the natural
environment and on the content of gaseous emissions
and ash produced. A study was also launched on dust
removal from flue-gas generated by biomass
combustion, which should result in the identification
of an efficient dust removal system to comply with
short and medium-term regulatory requirements.

PROBLEMS
Develop biomass recovery in combustion
units to replace fossil energies.
Control and reduce pollutant emissions
to anticipate possible regulatory
reinforcements.
Diversify biofuel supply.
Put in place a method to control wood
quality destined for the biomass boiler
plants managed by Dalkia.
PROGRAM
DETAILS
Evaluate the different wood
processes
• Put in place a 400 kW pilot biomass hot
water boiler to:
- enhance the energy and environmental
efficiency of combustion facilities using
biomass,
- improve our knowledge of combustion
phenomena,
- broaden the panel of recovered biofuels.
SCHEDULE
- Thermal test bench
experiments:
2006-2010 +
Wood grinder
CONCEPTION : ANNAPURNA 8000 - PHOTOS : PHOTOTHÈQUE V.E

OPTIMIZING THERMAL
AND BIOLOGICAL ENERGY
RECOVERY FROM WASTE
In light of the increasing worldwide energy
demand, the depletion of fossil fuel reserves and
the need to reduce greenhouse gases emissions, it
is imperative to exploit alternative energy
sources.
Given the accumulation of waste generated by
modern society, it is necessary to implement
treatment methods for the best protection of the
environment and human health and transform
waste into resources.
Therefore, the energy potential of waste needs to
be exploited. Its energy recovery, in the form of
thermal or biological treatments, is part of the
solutions developed by the Group to fight against
climate change, preserve the environment and
save fossil energies.
ENERGY FROM WASTE
Replacing fossil fuels with waste to produce
energy contributes to limiting greenhouse
gases emissions.
DEVELOPING23
alternative sources of energy
GREENHOUSE
LIMITATION
GASES
Our research essentially aims at improving the technical
and environmental performance of the Group’s wasteto-energy
plants. For several years, we have been developing
advanced tools to model waste energy recovery and
combustion, in order to optimize the design and running
of our facilities. Experimental and on-site studies carried
out on the behavior of refractory materials contained in
furnaces and on boiler corrosion and clogging have helped
increase equipment availability. We are also trying to
understand the pollutant cycle better in order to reduce
emissions - in 2006 in particular,we analyzed the behavior
of acid gases HCl, SO2 and NOx. In addition, we listed
emerging combustion technologies and examined the relevance
of recirculating flue gas to reduce atmospheric
emissions.
With regard to biological treatments, we are striving
to understand reaction mechanisms better with a view
to optimizing industrial processes, using test pilots in
laboratories and on an industrial scale. For example, a
25 m3 IN SHORT
pilot allowed us to validate physical-chemical
parameters essential to running a methanization unit
for municipal waste, alone or co-digested with sludge.The
studies we have carried out for the past 3 years on a
bioreactive storage pilot holding 150,000 tons of municipal
waste led to a patent, filed in 2006, on bioreactor steering
and running. These studies make it possible, in particular,
to optimize the gauging of biogas and leachate collection
and recirculation systems for Veolia’s new industrial
projects. We are also testing collection technologies in
landfills,which significantly increase the amount of biogas
collected and reduce diffuse biogas emissions.

THERMAL
TREATMENT
Incineration is an efficient way to recover
energy, particularly interesting for waste
with increasing calorific value.
As an alternative source of energy used
to supply electricity or district heating
networks, thermal treatment saves fossil
resources and contributes to reducing
greenhouse gases emissions,
for the biogenic part of waste burned
in facilities.
Furthermore, incineration is particularly
adapted to countries or urban areas with
high population densities: it significantly
reduces the amount of final waste
(final incineration residue represents
only 4% of the waste treated).
Preventing environmental and health
risks related to waste-to-energy plants
is constantly being reinforced.
Regulations are toughening emission
standards to combat discharge into
the atmosphere and requiring increased
care with regard to emerging pollutants.
problems
Improve the technical and
environmental performance of
combustion and energy recovery
in the incineration plants managed
by the Group.
Evaluate new thermal waste
treatment technologies to position
incineration within the new market
of energy sources.
Improve our knowledge of the
pollutant cycle (origin, formation
conditions) in thermal treatments
to reduce emissions as best as
possible.
Propose new concepts, integrating
flue gas treatment and energy
recovery steps right from the start.
IMPROVING THE PERFORMANCE OF WASTE-TO-ENERGY
PLANTS AND EXPLORING ALTERNATIVE COMBUSTION
TECHNIQUES
Waste-to-energy plant
program
details
Optimize the energy efficiency
of facilities
• Increase availability of waste-toenergy
plants to improve efficiency
and reduce maintenance costs:
evaluate refractory materials used
in furnaces, analyze corrosion and
clogging mechanisms in furnaces
and boilers.
• Optimize the configuration and
running of facilities (air injection
distribution and regulation, interior
furnace design, physical-chemical
conditions in exchangers) by
modeling the combustion and
energy recovery of municipal
waste.
Evaluate new combustion
technologies
• Technological surveillance of
emerging thermal treatment
processes applicable to waste
(pyrolysis, gasification, thermo-catalytic
conversion, etc.): technical
and economic evaluation, process
comparison and modeling.
• Qualify and quantify the impact of
flue gas recirculation on the formation
and treatment of the pollutants
studied.
Reduction in atmospheric
emissions
• Examine reaction mechanisms
resulting in pollutant formation, in
order to propose new running
methods for waste-to-energy
plants.
• Study the feasibility of a hightemperature
flue gas treatment:
develop a pilot and validate on an
industrial site.
SCHEDULE
- Corrosion pilot testing: 2004-2009
- Clogging study: 2004-2009
- Refractory material study: 2006-2009
- Combustion modeling: 2004-2008
- Energy recovery modeling: 2005-2007
- Study of a high-temperature flue gas
treatment: 2007-2009

Waste-to-energy plant
PARTNERS
(for thermal and biological treatment)
External partners:
• University of Nancy 1
• University of Poitiers
• SUWIC (Sheffield University Waste
Incineration Centre)
• Forschungszentrum Karlsruhe
• Fluent • ADEME • CNIM
• BRGM • CNRS • SMEDAR • INRA
• IMFT • INSA • LIRIGM • ENSIL • LACE
• CEMAGREF • University of Chicago
• North Illinois University
• University of Hanover
• University of Hamburg-Harburg
(TUHH) • FCC
Internal partners:
• Veolia Environmental Services
(Fr, US, Aus), GRS Valtech
• Veolia Water • Veolia Energy (D)
• SEDE Environnement
BIOLOGICAL
TREATMENT
Biological treatments are particularly
interesting for treating large amounts
of degradable organic materials through
natural processes.
To date, the Veolia Group processes
over 70% of its waste using biological
processes, including methanization and
storage in bioreactive cells, which are
appealing processes as they rapidly
produce large quantities of biogas.
This gas, resulting from the fermentation
of the biodegradable fraction of waste,
is entirely biogenic.
Rich in methane, it can be used
for electricity, heat or biofuel.
OPTIMIZING METHANIZA-
TION UNIT OPERATION,
EVALUATING WASTE STABI-
LIZATION BEFORE LANDFILL-
ING, DEVELOPING
BIOREACTOR STORAGE,
MAKING LANDFILL OPERA-
TION MORE RELIABLE
problems
Methanization
Methanization consists of accelerating
waste degradation in a closed
environment (without oxygen) under
physical (humidity, mixing, density),
chemical (Oxygen, pH, Volatile Fatty
Acids, ammonia) and biological
(inoculation, microorganism recycling)
conditions. Its advantage lies in dual
waste recovery: biogas released by
fermentation is used to produce
energy; fermentation residue
(digestates) is used to manufacture
quality organic soil improvement (by
composting).
• Evaluate the technical, economic
and environmental potential of this
process taking into account the difficulties
experienced on industrial
methanization sites.
• Understand the reaction mechanisms
of methanization processes
(physical, chemical and above all
biological) and, more extensively, of
the anaerobic digestion of solid or
liquid organic materials.
• Optimize the functioning of
industrial methanization units and
acquire technological knowledge for
the operation of future production
units.
Waste storage
In Europe, the guidelines set out by
the 1999 “landfill” directive contradict
the European plan of action on
renewable energies and the reduction
in greenhouse gases. While the
objective of the directive is to limit
the amount of organic waste stored
in landfills, the plan of action,
categorizing biogas as green energy,
promotes organic waste recovery.
Therefore, we are striving to:
• Evaluate industrial waste stabilization
processes before landfilling in
order to reduce its content in
“methanogenic” organic materials
and compare the economic and
environmental performance with
that of traditional landfilling and of
a bioreactor.
• Intensify biogas production to
improve energy recovery possibilities
by accelerating the biodegradation
of landfilled waste using re-injected
leachates (aqueous wastewater
containing organic materials and
various pollutants). The idea is to
develop a new type of landfill, the
bioreactor.
• Make landfill operation more
reliable by developing innovative
solutions to steer all running
parameters, from design to the end
of post-operation: leachates, biogas,
compaction. For this, it is necessary
to develop modeling tools and
automate process management.

program
details
Optimize methanization plant
operation
• Commission a pilot unit (Nord-Pasde-Calais
region) with the support of
ADEME and the European Union.
• Carry out tests on different types of
waste (municipal waste, sludge,
waste from Food and Beverage, etc.).
• Establish the energy and material
balance of the process: quantity and
quality of biogas, leachates and digestates
produced.
• Explore other innovative waste
anaerobic digestion solutions in
order to identify renewable energy
sources and vectors: energy crop
methanization, production of biohydrogen
from waste (sludge, organic
fraction of municipal waste).
Evaluate mechanical and biological
pretreatment (MBT)
Technical, economic and environmental
evaluation of the different landfill
solutions (ELIA project “Environmental
Landfill Impact Assessment”) and
pilots:
• Determine gas and liquid emission
balance and assess the energy consumption
of the mechanical and biological
stabilization of municipal
waste under different experimental
conditions.
• Carry out a comparative environmental
assessment, via lifecycle
analysis, of the different treatment
scenarios.
Pilot
methanization unit
(Nord-Pas-de-Calais)
Develop and optimize the bioreactor
technology
• Operation of a 150,000 m 3 industrial
pilot in La Vergne (France).
• Comparative evaluation of the
technical, economic and environmental
advantages of the bioreactor and
traditional landfill (control cell).
• Identify and recommend best practices
for the injection of leachates into
the waste mass: scale 1 tests on a site
in the Ile-de-France region.
• Measure and monitor the humidity
of a waste mass, using original
systems.
• Exploit available data on the Group’s
bioreactors around the world (France,
USA, Australia).
• Develop a model to forecast the
compaction of a waste mass (measure
and model its mechanical properties
over time).
• Develop a software to model
chemical, biological and physical
mechanisms involved during waste
transformation by methanization and
SCHEDULE
Cross-section
of a landfill cell managed
in a bioreactor
Methanization:
- Tests on industrial methanization pilot:
2004-2009
- PROMETHEE project to produce
biohydrogen by methanization:
2007-2009
- Biomass methanization project:
2007-2009
- BIOPTIME load preparation project:
2007-2011
Landfill:
- ELIA project to evaluate landfill processes:
2003-2010
- MBT lifecycle analysis, bioreactor, landfill:
2005-2006
during leachate recirculation (leachate
evolution, biogas production
evolution, etc.).
• Create and put on line a website
for knowledge distribution and
exchange on the theme of bioreactors:
www.bioreacteur.com.
• Draw up guides to gauge, design
and operate bioreactors in the best
conditions.
Develop industrial landfill operation
• Examine innovative biogas collection
methods to reduce odor and
greenhouse gases emissions and
enhance energy recovery possibilities.
• Develop tools to measure diffuse
gas emissions on industrial sites.
• Improve the quality and quantity of
biogas collected to optimize recovery.
- Pilot bioreactor in La Vergne: 2003-2010
- Bioreactor monitoring in the USA and
Australia: 2005-2008
- Compaction cells to determine
geomechanical parameters: 2005-2011
- Compaction modeling software: 2001-2005
- Mass-heat transfer modeling software:
2004-2007
- Validate the mass/heat transfer model:
2007-2008
- Progressive biogas collection: 2005-2007
- Methacontrol project for the automation
of biogas collection networks: 2005-2008

Rape field
NEW FUELS
In light of the depletion of oil resources, the increasing
worldwide energy demand (+57% in the next 20
years) and the need to reduce greenhouse gases
emissions, it is necessary to find an alternative to
fossil fuels.
Objectives have been set by public authorities to
incorporate them into traditional fuels: 5.75%
by 2010 for the European Union, 5.75% by 2008, 7%
by 2010 and 10% by 2015 for France.
Among the different possible sources, the energy
potential of waste must therefore be exploited, inasmuch
as waste represents an abundant biomass (1)
deposit and the price of oil is on the increase.
It is already possible to produce fuel from ordinary
waste (solid recovered fuel: SRF) or industrial waste
such as grease or tank cleaning residue (liquid
recovered fuel – Lipoval® process). It can be used in
boiler plants or industrial furnaces.
It is also possible to produce biofuel from used edible
oils or biogas emitted by landfills and methanization
units, or even from solid waste and biomass (via
thermochemical processes).
However, numerous technological and economic
barriers must still be overcome to validate some of
these recovery solutions. In addition, it is necessary
to assess their actual environmental relevance by
carrying out lifecycle analysis on global processes.
(1) Biomass means organic materials, with the exception of hydrocarbons
and their derivatives.
Replacing fossil fuels with new fuels
derived from waste contributes to limiting
greenhouse gases emissions.
EVALUATING THE PERFORMANCE OF BIOFUEL PRODUCTION PROCESSES
DEVELOPING24
alternative sources of energy
GREENHOUSE
LIMITATION
GASES
IN SHORT
Our work on new fuels focuses on 4 aspects. Its purpose
is to industrialize the thermochemical processes
making it possible to produce biofuels from municipal
waste and biomass.We have already started to evaluate
the pyrolysis process.We are also looking at transforming
greasy waste and used edible oils into biofuels which
could replace fuel oil in industrial boilers (Lipoval®), or
biodiesel – for this, tests are ongoing on Veolia
Transport’s bus fleet. Our research also focuses on
biomethane production from landfill biogas: we are
testing purification processes and coordinating an
international task force (“BioGNV”). Finally, we are
assessing the economic and environmental viability of
solid recovered fuels, in particular from wood waste.

PROBLEMS
Produce biofuels by exploring the thermochemical,
used edible oils and biogas processes.
Biomass and waste deposit:
Industrialize thermochemical processes
There is no actual thermal process making it possible
to produce second generation fuels on an industrial
scale from 100% biomass or waste deposits.
Therefore we must evaluate accessible resources
and analyze the technological, economic and
environmental performance of the processes.
Used edible oil deposit:
Optimize the Limay biodiesel plant
Veolia is ready to open the first major biofuel
production plant from used edible oils in Limay
(Yvelines). The research effort must allow the Group
to incorporate itself, as per economic, technical and
environmental criteria, into the entire process, from
used edible oils collection to its use in biofuels.
The technology selected was tested and validated
by the research division, in partnership with Sarp
Industries.
Biogas deposit:
Produce biomethane
The Group’s potentially available biogas deposit
represents 653 million m3. Its importance has
encouraged us to find new recovery solutions, as we
already master electricity production or cogeneration.
Biomethane production is a particularly interesting
solution, in light of the significant energy and financial
rewards. However, there are some remaining issues to
which technological solutions must be found. How
can we obtain a gas pure and rich in methane from
a biogas potentially containing numerous pollutants?
How can we transport and store biogas in order to
increase the capacity of current and future wasteto-energy
plants? How can we make production
(in waste storage locations) and consumption of
this fuel designed for captive vehicles match? We
must also carry out the environmental and energy
balances of these processes.
PROGRAM
DETAILS
Biomass and waste deposit
• Resource evaluation:
- identify, characterize and determine potentially
accessible biomass and waste resources on
an international scale; select high potential deposits;
- evaluate the impact generated by the mobilization
of identified deposits.
Biomass resource
PARTNERS
External partners:
• Total • IFP • CIRAD • ADEME
• Air Liquide • CIRMAC
• École des Mines de Nantes
(Engineer School)
• ERFO • LCD Poitiers • LHOIST
• European Union
• Search for the best fit
between identified
resources and
thermochemical
conversion processes.
Technical, economic
and environmental
evaluation of the
processes, from the
resource to fuel
production:
- detailed technical,
economic and
environmental analysis
(load preparation,
thermochemical
conversion, posttreatments)
of the
different patterns for
each conversion process;
- select the most relevant
technical, economic and
environmental patterns.
Internal partners:
• Veolia Environnement
• Veolia Environmental Services
(Fr, Nor), SARP I
• Veolia Water • Dalkia • Veolia Transport

Used edible oil deposit
• Biofuel production technique from used edible oils.
- Regulation and taxation applicable to biodiesel.
- Validate the Group’s use of used edible oil biodiesel
by preparing and organizing tests on captive fleets.
- Continue lobbying support actions to obtain a tax
exemption status for used edible oil biodiesel.
Biogas deposit
• Evaluate existing technologies with regard to biogas
treatment and transformation into biomethane.
- Use industrial-size pilots to test the technologies
with regard to landfill biogas treatment and
transformation into biomethane (pilot construction).
- Find ways to store and transport biomethane.
- Test biomethane on captive fleets.
- Carry out environmental and energy balances
of global processes.
SCHEDULE
BIOMASS AND WASTE DEPOSIT
- Resource evaluation: 2007
- Technical evaluation of the processes: 2007-2008
- Economic evaluation of the processes: 2008-2009
- Environmental evaluation of the processes: 2008-2009
USED EDIBLE OIL DEPOSIT
- Engine qualification of used edible oil biofuels: 2008-2010
- R&D support for the commissioning of the Limay biofuel
production plant (78): 2007-2008
- Lipofit® combustion test on engine test bench: 2008-2009
BIOGAS DEPOSIT
- Biogas treatment: 2007-2010
- Biogas logistics (storage, transport, etc.): 2007-2010
- Biogas recovery strategy: 2007-2010
DIESTER AND PUBLIC
TRANSPORT VEHICLES
We are testing diester (30% rapeseed oil ester and 70%
diesel) on operational bus and coach fleets in order to
measure its technical and environmental performance
as well as usage-related costs. Tests show that this new
type of fuel is compatible with the engines and particulate
filters on the EURO III buses. Tests are currently being
carried out on coaches complying with the EURO IV
standard (equipped with SCR treatment technologies).
SOLID
RECOVERED FUEL
I use
DIESTER,
the eco-friendly
biofuel
Prepared using specific
fractions of ordinary waste,
solid recovered fuel (SRF), in
particular that with high green carbon content
(biogenic origin), is destined to replace fossil
fuels in boiler plants and industrial furnaces
(lime-burning kilns, coal-fired power plants,
cement plants,etc.). While the European
Standardization Committee has initiated a
standardization approach to landfills, we are
defining the conditions for the economic and
environmental viability of these new processes
(production, transport, usage). To this end, we
have commissioned pilot SRF production plants,
using municipal waste and wood waste.