Periodic Reporting for period 1 - SMALLOPS (Waste recovery through the production of nanoparticles and biogas.)
Reporting period: 2023-07-01 to 2024-06-30
The Smallops project is situated in the context of the biogas sector, specifically in the optimization of the process through the use of iron nanoparticles encapsulated in a carbon matrix (OPS). This innovative approach arises as a response to the environmental and economic challenges associated with the treatment of organic waste, especially in the olive sector.
The olive oil production sector annually generates millions of cubic meters of olive mill wastewater (OMWW), which pose serious environmental and economic problems in Mediterranean countries. This wastewater contains phenolic compounds and other pollutants that require effective treatment to minimize its negative impact on the environment.
General Objectives
The main objective of Smallops is to develop and apply an innovative technology based on carbonaceous hydrothermalization (HTC) for the production of OPS from OMWW. This technology not only seeks to valorize waste from the olive sector, but also to significantly improve biogas production and the quality of the resulting digestate, which can be used as a high-quality fertilizer.
The specific objectives of the project are as follows:
1. Technological Development.
2. Market Validation.
3. Scalability and Diversification.
Expected Impact
The Smallops project is expected to have several significant impacts:
1.Environmental Impact: Reduction of the negative environmental impact of OMWW through its efficient treatment with OPS, which can improve the quality of the treated wastewater and reduce pollution.
2. Economic Impact: Creating new economic opportunities in the agricultural and biogas sector by valorising organic waste and improving production efficiency.
3. Social Impact: Contributing to sustainability and food security by promoting the use of digestate as a fertiliser, as well as boosting the circular economy and sustainable resource management.
In summary, the Smallops project seeks not only to address crucial technological and environmental challenges, but also to catalyse the development of innovative solutions that promote the transition towards a greener and more circular economy in Europe and beyond.
The olive oil production sector annually generates millions of cubic meters of olive mill wastewater (OMWW), which pose serious environmental and economic problems in Mediterranean countries. This wastewater contains phenolic compounds and other pollutants that require effective treatment to minimize its negative impact on the environment.
General Objectives
The main objective of Smallops is to develop and apply an innovative technology based on carbonaceous hydrothermalization (HTC) for the production of OPS from OMWW. This technology not only seeks to valorize waste from the olive sector, but also to significantly improve biogas production and the quality of the resulting digestate, which can be used as a high-quality fertilizer.
The specific objectives of the project are as follows:
1. Technological Development.
2. Market Validation.
3. Scalability and Diversification.
Expected Impact
The Smallops project is expected to have several significant impacts:
1.Environmental Impact: Reduction of the negative environmental impact of OMWW through its efficient treatment with OPS, which can improve the quality of the treated wastewater and reduce pollution.
2. Economic Impact: Creating new economic opportunities in the agricultural and biogas sector by valorising organic waste and improving production efficiency.
3. Social Impact: Contributing to sustainability and food security by promoting the use of digestate as a fertiliser, as well as boosting the circular economy and sustainable resource management.
In summary, the Smallops project seeks not only to address crucial technological and environmental challenges, but also to catalyse the development of innovative solutions that promote the transition towards a greener and more circular economy in Europe and beyond.
The following results and conclusions have been obtained:
- The product has been optimised.
- In the first industrial test, we dosed the product in a suspension, in the second we dosed in powder.
- The results obtained from the industrial tests have been very promising, demonstrating that OPS is an ideal product to replace iron salts.
Another of the planned activities was the design, installation and start-up of our own laboratory.
The production of OPS was optimised and scaled from a 2L reactor to a 5000L one.
Likewise, the production capacities of OPS from other organic waste were studied. Tests have been carried out with pig slurry, although the results have not been satisfactory from a technological and economic point of view. This has helped us to focus on other types of organic waste that technology could valorise, specifically digested waste from biogas and biomethane plants and agro-industrial and agricultural waste with phytotoxic compounds (wine, citrus, etc.) where hydrothermal carbonisation makes more sense.
- The product has been optimised.
- In the first industrial test, we dosed the product in a suspension, in the second we dosed in powder.
- The results obtained from the industrial tests have been very promising, demonstrating that OPS is an ideal product to replace iron salts.
Another of the planned activities was the design, installation and start-up of our own laboratory.
The production of OPS was optimised and scaled from a 2L reactor to a 5000L one.
Likewise, the production capacities of OPS from other organic waste were studied. Tests have been carried out with pig slurry, although the results have not been satisfactory from a technological and economic point of view. This has helped us to focus on other types of organic waste that technology could valorise, specifically digested waste from biogas and biomethane plants and agro-industrial and agricultural waste with phytotoxic compounds (wine, citrus, etc.) where hydrothermal carbonisation makes more sense.
The Smallops project has made significant progress beyond the current state of the technology in several key aspects. The main impacts of the results obtained and the key needs to ensure greater adoption and success are described below:
Optimization and Cost Reduction:
- Impact: The optimization of the OPS nanoparticle production process has resulted in a 33% reduction in production costs, as well as a 25% increase in product quality. This advance allows for a more competitive and efficient product to be offered on the market.
Innovative Product Format:
-Impact: The change from suspension to powder format with 20% moisture has improved handling and reduced transportation costs. This new format facilitates dosing and storage of the product in industrial plants.
Efficiency in H2S Prevention:
-Impact: OPS have proven to be highly effective in preventing H2S production, maintaining stable levels of this gas in anaerobic digesters for extended periods. This offers a considerable advantage over traditional iron salts, such as ferric chloride.
Economic Savings:
-Impact: The reduction in ferric chloride dosage has resulted in significant savings for users, with real savings of €5,500 per year, not counting the additional income from increased biogas production, which is around €60,000 per year depending on energy prices.
Treatment of Contaminated Water:
-Impact: Tests have shown that OPS nanoparticles can remove up to 50% of contaminants from the aquatic environment in 120 minutes. This opens up new opportunities in the water treatment sector.
Development of New Markets:
-Impact: Smallops technology has shown potential for application in new sectors, such as the treatment of organic waste from the wine industry and slurry. Although initial results with slurry were not satisfactory, this work has directed research towards other wastes with greater viability.
Optimization and Cost Reduction:
- Impact: The optimization of the OPS nanoparticle production process has resulted in a 33% reduction in production costs, as well as a 25% increase in product quality. This advance allows for a more competitive and efficient product to be offered on the market.
Innovative Product Format:
-Impact: The change from suspension to powder format with 20% moisture has improved handling and reduced transportation costs. This new format facilitates dosing and storage of the product in industrial plants.
Efficiency in H2S Prevention:
-Impact: OPS have proven to be highly effective in preventing H2S production, maintaining stable levels of this gas in anaerobic digesters for extended periods. This offers a considerable advantage over traditional iron salts, such as ferric chloride.
Economic Savings:
-Impact: The reduction in ferric chloride dosage has resulted in significant savings for users, with real savings of €5,500 per year, not counting the additional income from increased biogas production, which is around €60,000 per year depending on energy prices.
Treatment of Contaminated Water:
-Impact: Tests have shown that OPS nanoparticles can remove up to 50% of contaminants from the aquatic environment in 120 minutes. This opens up new opportunities in the water treatment sector.
Development of New Markets:
-Impact: Smallops technology has shown potential for application in new sectors, such as the treatment of organic waste from the wine industry and slurry. Although initial results with slurry were not satisfactory, this work has directed research towards other wastes with greater viability.