Analysis of Biofilm Mediated Fouling of Nanofiltration Membranes

Project Information

AFFIRM

Grant agreement ID: 278530

Project closed

Start date 1 October 2011

End date 30 September 2016

Funded under

• Specific programme: "Ideas" implementing the Seventh Framework Programme of the European Community for research, technological development and demonstration activities (2007 to 2013)

Total cost € 1 468 986,56

EU contribution € 1 468 986,56

Coordinated by

UNIVERSITY COLLEGE DUBLIN, NATIONAL UNIVERSITY OF IRELAND, DUBLIN
Ireland

Objective

1.2 billion people worldwide lack access to safe drinking water. Drinking water quality is threatened by newly emerging organic micro-pollutants (pesticides, pharmaceuticals, industrial chemicals) in source waters. Nanofiltration is a technology that is expected to play a key role in future water treatment processes due to its effectiveness in removal of micropollutants. However, the loss of membrane flux due to fouling is one of the main impediments in the development of membrane processes for use in drinking water treatment. Currently there is a wholly inadequate mechanistic understanding of the role of biofilm on the fouling of nanofiltration membranes.
Applying techniques including confocal microscopy, force spectroscopy, and infrared spectroscopy using an experimental programme informed by a technique known as scale-down together with mathematical modelling, it is confidently expected that significant advances will be gained in the mechanistic understanding of nanofiltration biofouling.
The specific objectives are 1. How is the rate of formation and extent of such biofilms influenced by the biological response to the local microenvironment? 2 Elucidate the effect of extracellular polysaccharide substances on physical properties, composition and structure of these biofilms. 3: Investigate mechanisms to enhance biofilm removal by a physical detachment process complemented by techniques that alter biofilm material properties.
A more fundamental insight into the mechanisms of nanofiltration operation will help in further development of this treatment method in future water treatment processes.

Fields of science

• engineering and technology › environmental engineering › water treatment processes › drinking water treatment processes
• natural sciences › earth and related environmental sciences › hydrology
• natural sciences › physical sciences › optics › spectroscopy › absorption spectroscopy
• natural sciences › physical sciences › optics › microscopy › confocal microscopy
• natural sciences › mathematics › applied mathematics › mathematical model

Programme(s)

• FP7-IDEAS-ERC - Specific programme: "Ideas" implementing the Seventh Framework Programme of the European Community for research, technological development and demonstration activities (2007 to 2013)

Topic(s)

• ERC-SG-PE8 - ERC Starting Grant - Products and process engineering

Call for proposal

ERC-2011-StG_20101014
See other projects for this call

Funding Scheme

ERC-SG - ERC Starting Grant

Host institution

UNIVERSITY COLLEGE DUBLIN, NATIONAL UNIVERSITY OF IRELAND, DUBLIN

Principal investigator

Eoin Casey (Dr.)

Administrative Contact

Donal Doolan (Mr.)

• EU contribution: € 1 468 986,56
• Address: BELFIELD ; 4 Dublin ; Ireland
• Region: Ireland › Eastern and Midland › Dublin
• Activity type: Higher or Secondary Education Establishments
• Total cost: No data

Beneficiaries (1)

UNIVERSITY COLLEGE DUBLIN, NATIONAL UNIVERSITY OF IRELAND, DUBLIN

Ireland

Principal investigator

Eoin Casey (Dr.)

Administrative Contact

Donal Doolan (Mr.)

• EU contribution: € 1 468 986,56
• Address: BELFIELD ; 4 Dublin
• Region: Ireland › Eastern and Midland › Dublin
• Activity type: Higher or Secondary Education Establishments
• Total cost: No data