The 12th International Conference on Water Resource and Environment (WRE 2026)

Abstract: This presentation introduces fluidized-bed homogeneous crystallization (FBHC), a groundbreaking technology for recovering both metallic and non-metallic ions from water without the need for heterogeneous seeding. By integrating multiple treatment functions into a single reactor, FBHC requires only one-third of the land area compared to conventional precipitation systems. The process yields granular crystals with exceptionally low moisture content (≈5%), enabling up to 60% savings in sludge treatment costs—even when the product is treated as waste. Moreover, the absence of foreign seed materials ensures the production of high-purity crystals suitable for reuse. From a sustainability perspective, FBHC achieves superior dehydration efficiency, reducing carbon dioxide emissions by nearly 300 kg per ton relative to sludge generated by traditional chemical precipitation. The presentation will highlight reactor design and operating parameters, while also examining the granulation mechanism that underpins the formation of high-quality calcium carbonate crystals. Together, these advances demonstrate FBHC’s potential as a world-leading solution for resource recovery, cost reduction, and carbon mitigation.

Biography: Prof. Ming-Chun Lu is a Chair Professor in the Department of Environmental Engineering at National Chung Hsing University, Taiwan. He has served as an editor for Desalination since 2024 and has been an associate editor for Sustainable Environment Research since 2015. His outstanding achievements have been widely recognized with numerous honors. These include the Platinum Award at the Taiwan Innotech Expo Invention Competition in 2023 and 2024, the prestigious Future Technology Award from the National Science and Technology Council in both years, and the Outstanding Advisor Award for College Student Research and Creativity in 2023. He also led his team to win the championship in the Net-Zero Carbon Technology International Competition hosted by the TECO Technology Foundation in 2023 and was honored with the Outstanding Engineering Professor Award by the Chinese Institute of Engineers the same year. Professor Lu's research interests encompass advanced oxidation processes for water and wastewater treatment, fluidized-bed crystallization technology for treating wastewater containing metallic and non-metallic salts, and carbon dioxide capture from flue gas. He is also an innovator in developing disinfection, deodorization, antimicrobial, and antifungal technologies, as well as oil emulsification and desulfurization techniques. His work not only addresses pressing environmental challenges but also provides sustainable solutions that drive technological advancements.