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Innovation AwardI-ward 2000 won by AppliTek n.v.Measuring the level of total nitrogen in waste water is becoming simpler. In the presence of HRH Prince Laurent, a jury of experts awarded the first Innovation Award to AppliTek NV for the so-called 'TONI' - an analytical device for determining the quantity of total nitrogen in waste water.In comparison with the current generation of nitrogen analysers, TONI is more practical, more environmentally-friendly, safer and cheaper. What's more, the device can also measure the level of phosphorus in water. This award is without doubt a well-deserved recognition for the thoroughly innovative work that this SMB from Deinze has been pursuing for 15 years now. Measurements can be taken both online with continual analyses and offline in the laboratory. Both on and off-lineThe device is based on a procedure in which the organic and inorganic nitrogen components are oxidised to nitrates. The current generation of devices for analysing total nitrogen make use of a thermal oxidation at temperatures of more than 800°C. The high temperatures make on-line use very maintenance-intensive and there is always a danger of fire or explosion. TONI® is the first analyser that uses a wet chemical oxidation technique (without UV). This new wet chemical method can be applied perfectly well at temperatures lower than 100°C, whilst the oxidation efficiency is still considerably higher than with traditional methods.Another important innovation is that this same device not only analyses total nitrogen, but also Kjeldahl nitrogen, nitrates and even total phosphorus in waste water.The TONI® can be deployed in the continual monitoring of nitrogen releases into surface water. With the aid of the Nitrogen Signal, the efficiency of a waste-water purification installation can be checked and action can be taken much more quickly to correct any anomalies. The cost of the equipment will be 40 to 50% less than for the traditional, competing devices.The ambitions of an SMBAppliTek is a Small-Medium Business, established in Deinze, East Flanders. With its 25 employees, the firm makes an annual turnover of about BEF 300 million, or EUR 7.5 million. Managing Director David Laurier is clearly thrilled with this award. He confirmed our suspicion that it is not always an easy thing for an SMB to invest in R&D. "But AppliTek is the living proof that it's worth it," he smiles. "In total, we have invested about 20 million BEF (0.5 million Euros) in developing the TONI. We are also grateful for the three million BEF of support we received from IWT, including for developing prototypes." AppliTek have specialised in continuous-measurement devices for water purification and, since their foundation in 1985, have built a solid reputation reaching as far as Asia and North-America. "We are working on an international scale", David Laurier emphasises. "So it's no surprise to find us at an international environment trade fair like Ifest. In fact we've had a stand here since the very first edition!" A survey among visitors to Ifest '98 showed that one of the main reasons for a visit to the trade fair is the innovations that are shown at the fair. In order to satisfy this need, Ifest 2000 made an extra effort to place innovations in the area of environment, energy and safety in the forefront. Who were the other participants?
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