Descrizione del progetto
Nuovi metodi per la depurazione dell’acqua
L’inquinamento dell’acqua da fonti potabili mette a rischio la salute pubblica in tutto il mondo, infiltrando negli impianti di trattamento contaminanti come sostanze chimiche, microbi e plastica. I metodi di monitoraggio tradizionali spesso non riescono a rilevare tempestivamente queste sostanze inquinanti. Sebbene sia possibile mettere in atto processi di risanamento, essi faticano a conseguire una rimozione completa di tali inquinanti. Alla luce di tali premesse, il progetto NIAGARA, finanziato dall’UE, svilupperà un metodo di monitoraggio in tempo reale e tecniche di bonifica innovative per garantire un’acqua potabile sicura e sostenibile per tutti. In particolare, il progetto svilupperà biosensori in grado di rilevare fungicidi sintetici (usati in agricoltura per proteggere le colture), nonché composti chimici usati nella produzione di plastica che sono presenti in vari prodotti di consumo, come le bottiglie d’acqua, oltre a prodotti farmaceutici. Per garantire un’efficace rimozione degli inquinanti, NIAGARA utilizzerà anche biofiltri avanzati e fotoreattori UV/TiO2.
Obiettivo
"NIAGARA compiles all the necessary approaches to provide a comprehensive response to the phenomenon of spread of pollution (chemical, microbiological and plastic) from drinking water sources to human exposure, through the Driking Water Treatment Plants. These approaches and their solutions are:
(1) Real-time monitoring. NIAGARA will develop multi-analyte biosensors able to quantify simultaneously 4 highly concerning pollutants of very different chemical nature: BPA, imazalil, H. pylori and paracetamol/ibuprofen. Using pre-concentration units, detection limits will reach pg/mL for chemicals and 10-100 viable cells for H. pylori, which are below harmful levels for human exposure.
(2) Remediation. A removal and disinfection system based on a tandem formed by two IEDS biofilters (immobilized-enzymes degradation systems) and a UV/TiO2 photoreactor. With this solution, we will achieve total removal of the 4 analytes (concentrations below detection limits of water laboratory techniques) and a Total Organic Carbon removal of >70%, exceeding current State of Art. The DBPs formed will be identified, and their appearance mechanisms and toxicity will be predicted.
(3) A fast and cost-effective method for real-time monitoring of the propagation of these 4 contaminants using a hydraulic model that exceeds the performance of current methods (seconds vs weeks, > 60% accuracy).
These solutions will be validated up to a pilot scale (TRL=5) in a case study in the city of Valencia, in a DWTP, and using the drinking water supply system of district #9 (Jesús), with the participation of the Municipal Drinking Water Company, and accomplishing safety and sustainability-by-design.
Finally, the Communication and Exploitation plan has been specially designed to have an clear projection ouside EU to enhance its competitiveness in the water sector and to foster its position and role in the global water scene, with the participation of previously established EU and non-EU networks."
Campo scientifico
- engineering and technologyelectrical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineeringelectronic engineeringsensorsbiosensors
- engineering and technologyenvironmental engineeringwater treatment processesdrinking water treatment processes
- natural sciencesearth and related environmental sciencesenvironmental sciencespollution
- engineering and technologycivil engineeringwater engineeringwater supply systems
Parole chiave
Programma(i)
Meccanismo di finanziamento
HORIZON-RIA - HORIZON Research and Innovation ActionsCoordinatore
46980 Paterna
Spagna
L’organizzazione si è definita una PMI (piccola e media impresa) al momento della firma dell’accordo di sovvenzione.