Periodic Reporting for period 3 - AFTERLIFE (Advanced Filtration TEchnologies for the Recovery and Later conversIon of relevant Fractions from wastEwater)
Periodo di rendicontazione: 2020-09-01 al 2022-02-28
Human activities generate a high volume of wastewater that should be treated before being discharged with the finality of removing organic matter and nutrients that can cause environmental damage. Despite the interesting potential of many of these compounds (proteins, sugars, lipids ...) as raw materials for bio-based industry, their valorisation is currently limited, with the best technologies on stream, to bioenergy production.
Within this context, the main objective of AFTERLIFE is to demonstrate at TRL-5 a promising innovative wastewater treatment with the simultaneous recovery of compounds of interest and the conversion of the rest of the organic matter into a high-volume added value biopolymer. The concept includes the use of a promising technology for the treatment of industrial and municipal wastewater and the filtration of membranes of different pore sizes. AFTERLIFE process is embedded in a circular economy approach through the reuse of the outlet water and the valorisation of the organic matter by the recovery and purification of high value-added compounds, the conversion into value-added products and the generation of energy and clean water to be used within the process
The main conclusions of the project are:
- The use of a filtration cascade is an interesting alternative for water recovery in the food processing industry. The quality of the obtained water allows the reuse as process and cleaning water in the food industry, with the associated reduction of water consumption and the reduction in wastewater volume.
- It is possible to produce PHA (either by pure or mixed cultures) from the concentration of filtration steps. However, some of the wastewaters result in more attractive for such a purpose due to the high concentration of nutrients
- It is possible to obtain highly pure extracts from wastewater concentrates with interesting properties as food additives. The application in some food products enhances their characteristics.
The produced blends of PHA and PLA result in a suitable material for manufacturing food trays, but not for films. Moreover, the biodegradability and recyclability of the material have been demonstrated
- Some key points to reduce the environmental impact of the process are the replacement or reduction of the nutrients used in the fermentation medium and of chemicals for PHA recovery
Within this context, the main objective of AFTERLIFE is to demonstrate at TRL-5 a promising innovative wastewater treatment with the simultaneous recovery of compounds of interest and the conversion of the rest of the organic matter into a high-volume added value biopolymer. The concept includes the use of a promising technology for the treatment of industrial and municipal wastewater and the filtration of membranes of different pore sizes. AFTERLIFE process is embedded in a circular economy approach through the reuse of the outlet water and the valorisation of the organic matter by the recovery and purification of high value-added compounds, the conversion into value-added products and the generation of energy and clean water to be used within the process
The main conclusions of the project are:
- The use of a filtration cascade is an interesting alternative for water recovery in the food processing industry. The quality of the obtained water allows the reuse as process and cleaning water in the food industry, with the associated reduction of water consumption and the reduction in wastewater volume.
- It is possible to produce PHA (either by pure or mixed cultures) from the concentration of filtration steps. However, some of the wastewaters result in more attractive for such a purpose due to the high concentration of nutrients
- It is possible to obtain highly pure extracts from wastewater concentrates with interesting properties as food additives. The application in some food products enhances their characteristics.
The produced blends of PHA and PLA result in a suitable material for manufacturing food trays, but not for films. Moreover, the biodegradability and recyclability of the material have been demonstrated
- Some key points to reduce the environmental impact of the process are the replacement or reduction of the nutrients used in the fermentation medium and of chemicals for PHA recovery
At the end of the project, the selected wastewaters were sampled and characterised and various pretreatment, recovery and conversion methodologies were developed. The design and engineering of the processes have been developed based on the process model, and the pilot activities have been performed. The LCA-based environmental assessment, techno-economic and socio-economic assessment activities have been completed and reported. Key exploitable results of the project have been identified and described, and exploitation strategies (through publications, patents, thesis, etc.) have been further developed as well as a draft business model. As part of the communication and dissemination activities, AFTERLIFE became part of the project group "Value Creation from Wastewater" together with other four H2020 projects that provide solutions for wastewater treatment, recovery, and reuse for both industrial and public sector utility operators and policy actors. A seminar and a workshop were held online to disseminate the technology among the potential stakeholders. Besides, partners gave presentations at conferences and events about the innovations in the project.
The main results were: Multidisciplinary design optimisation (MDO) implementation to optimally design the AFTERLIFE process (ER1), Integrated waste and wastewater conversion into biobased VFA and biogas (ER3), Development of a cost-effective cascade of membrane filtration units for the separation and concentration of wastewater (ER4), Optimized PHA production from food wastewater (ER5), Development of methodologies for the conversion of biopolymers into thermoplastic materials (ER6), Development of the process for extraction amino acids from wastewater streams with high protein content (ER7), Development of the process for removal FOG from wastewater streams through using a new elastomeric material that selectively adsorbs and separates of FOG (ER8). The project results have also been published on the project website and disseminated through the “Value from Wastewater” group to enhance their impact. Some of the partners are exploiting their results through publications. Moreover, a preliminary business plan has been developed by ER4 in order to explore its exploitation through the provision of a service to food processing industries or, alternatively, a licence agreement with engineering and construction firms that will commercialise and deploy the technology in food processing industries.
The main results were: Multidisciplinary design optimisation (MDO) implementation to optimally design the AFTERLIFE process (ER1), Integrated waste and wastewater conversion into biobased VFA and biogas (ER3), Development of a cost-effective cascade of membrane filtration units for the separation and concentration of wastewater (ER4), Optimized PHA production from food wastewater (ER5), Development of methodologies for the conversion of biopolymers into thermoplastic materials (ER6), Development of the process for extraction amino acids from wastewater streams with high protein content (ER7), Development of the process for removal FOG from wastewater streams through using a new elastomeric material that selectively adsorbs and separates of FOG (ER8). The project results have also been published on the project website and disseminated through the “Value from Wastewater” group to enhance their impact. Some of the partners are exploiting their results through publications. Moreover, a preliminary business plan has been developed by ER4 in order to explore its exploitation through the provision of a service to food processing industries or, alternatively, a licence agreement with engineering and construction firms that will commercialise and deploy the technology in food processing industries.
As the first step of the process, an innovative filtration concept has been developed and validated for different wastewater. Such a concept is a solution for in-situ cleaning process wastewater to produce clean water and recover organic matter for its commercialisation as a raw material of value-added products. As the main advantages, it allows in-situ water depuration, availability of clean water, additional revenues and improvement of the brand image due to circular economy practices for the companies that adopt this solution.
A simultaneous study of the use of pure cultures and mixed cultures has been developed for the production of PHA. Both alternatives showed that they were suitable for PHA production from the VFA from wastewater concentrates. However, different challenges were associated with implementing each technology: the fluctuations in the results with pure cultures when upscaling versus the need for an improved control system for the selection of mixed cultures and the operation with them.
Besides, PHA has been used to produce a PHA-based material that is biodegradable, recyclable and suitable for making rigid food packaging. On the other hand, the high value-added extracts from wastewater have been tested in enriched food products, in which they provided antimicrobial properties and improved stability.
Moreover, innovative approaches have been put in place for the optimal design of the process and the replication to other wastewater. Such an approach includes using computational tools (mathematical models, optimisation and clustering algorithms) to support the process design and the assessment of the implementation in alternative scenarios.
Regarding potential impacts, the implementation of the innovations in AFTERLIFE will contribute to creating jobs in the Biotech sector. The reuse of the treated water will reduce water consumption for industrial or cleaning purposes, which contributes to a fairer distribution of water. Thanks to the production of 100% bio-based and biodegradable plastic (PHA) from waste, AFTERLIFE will mitigate health risks (food, water and soil contamination) associated with traditional plastics and wastewater pollution.
A simultaneous study of the use of pure cultures and mixed cultures has been developed for the production of PHA. Both alternatives showed that they were suitable for PHA production from the VFA from wastewater concentrates. However, different challenges were associated with implementing each technology: the fluctuations in the results with pure cultures when upscaling versus the need for an improved control system for the selection of mixed cultures and the operation with them.
Besides, PHA has been used to produce a PHA-based material that is biodegradable, recyclable and suitable for making rigid food packaging. On the other hand, the high value-added extracts from wastewater have been tested in enriched food products, in which they provided antimicrobial properties and improved stability.
Moreover, innovative approaches have been put in place for the optimal design of the process and the replication to other wastewater. Such an approach includes using computational tools (mathematical models, optimisation and clustering algorithms) to support the process design and the assessment of the implementation in alternative scenarios.
Regarding potential impacts, the implementation of the innovations in AFTERLIFE will contribute to creating jobs in the Biotech sector. The reuse of the treated water will reduce water consumption for industrial or cleaning purposes, which contributes to a fairer distribution of water. Thanks to the production of 100% bio-based and biodegradable plastic (PHA) from waste, AFTERLIFE will mitigate health risks (food, water and soil contamination) associated with traditional plastics and wastewater pollution.