The main results were the pilot plant design and assemblage based on tests results with different corrosive fluid residues. Technical parameters for the design were determined and certified by laboratories.
Energy supply through autonomous renewable energy systems was implements for the pilot unit.
The depuration tests with the dredged material were successfully achieved as distilled water and crystallised solids as by-products.
Characterization of both was made and valorisation was estimated.
It has been observed that due to the neighbouring of the ria de Huelva, highly metal contaminated by Odiel and Tinto rivers, there is a huge volume of critical raw materials with high commercial value that might be rescued from the solids after the treatment of mining residues. So new information was generated based on the market price of some of the elements. So, an integral management for circular economy of the residues is aligned to the European Green Deal in the accomplishment of the SDG. But also with the improvement of the superficial water quality improvement marked by the European Water frame Directive.
The ASEC pilot plant installed in the Port of Huelva, and is fully operative with a depuration capacity of 10m3/d. This milestone is a shuttle for the technology; it works as demo for other ports.
A new TRL7 was reached and the pilot plant operates on real environment to the certification and TRL8. But also, the advance to TRL9 in the last work-packages (industrialization, management and marketing and commercialization). Thanks to Equity and the participation of the European Investment Bank (EIB) it was possible the international expansion of the technology and capture of new customers and application to further industrial sectors.
Further research is required to treat additional industrial fluids generated in the port, such as rain water, marine pollution, and domestic water from facilities, among others. There are some conversations with the Authorities of the Port to apply the ASEC treatment to other contaminated fluids (MARPOL, storm tanks, etc.)
Thanks to the project, WCh won visibility and a position in the ZLD technology market in Europe and the World. As shown by the new projects derived from extension of the network. Postulation of projects to European, national and international calls were possible
