Analysis of Biofilm Mediated Fouling of Nanofiltration Membranes

Informations projet

AFFIRM

N° de convention de subvention: 278530

Projet clôturé

Date de début 1 Octobre 2011

Date de fin 30 Septembre 2016

Financé au titre de

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

Coût total € 1 468 986,56

Contribution de l’UE € 1 468 986,56

Coordonné par

UNIVERSITY COLLEGE DUBLIN, NATIONAL UNIVERSITY OF IRELAND, DUBLIN
Ireland

Objectif

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.

Champ scientifique

• 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)

Thème(s)

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

Appel à propositions

ERC-2011-StG_20101014
Voir d’autres projets de cet appel

Régime de financement

ERC-SG - ERC Starting Grant

Institution d’accueil

UNIVERSITY COLLEGE DUBLIN, NATIONAL UNIVERSITY OF IRELAND, DUBLIN

• Contribution de l’UE: € 1 468 986,56
• Adresse: BELFIELD ; 4 Dublin ; Irlande
• Région: Ireland › Eastern and Midland › Dublin
• Type d’activité: Higher or Secondary Education Establishments
• Chercheur principal: Eoin Casey (Dr.)
• Contact administratif: Donal Doolan (Mr.)
• Coût total: Aucune donnée

Bénéficiaires (1)

UNIVERSITY COLLEGE DUBLIN, NATIONAL UNIVERSITY OF IRELAND, DUBLIN

Irlande

• Contribution de l’UE: € 1 468 986,56
• Adresse: BELFIELD ; 4 Dublin
• Région: Ireland › Eastern and Midland › Dublin
• Type d’activité: Higher or Secondary Education Establishments
• Chercheur principal: Eoin Casey (Dr.)
• Contact administratif: Donal Doolan (Mr.)
• Coût total: Aucune donnée