Participants
Functional Unit “Water Treatments”
Contacts
J. A. Sánchez (jsanchez@ual.es)
Funds:
R&D projects of the University of Almeria in the framework of the Andalusia FEDER Operational Programme 2014-2020, call 2018.
Current Situation:
In progress
Summary
The AQUELOO project addresses the development of technical solutions based on the use of solar energy for the regeneration of irrigation water in agriculture, thus promoting the use of non-conventional water resources. In this project, the solar photo-Fenton process is considered due to its proven efficiency in eliminating up to 80% of micropollutants and 6 log CFU/mL of pathogenic microorganisms present in effluents from secondary WWTP treatments. On the other hand, the use of low-cost raceway pond reactors (RPR) helps to drastically reduce both investment and operating costs. It will address the disinfection of wastewater by solar photo-Fenton in continuous mode at HRT for 30 to 60 min, with a liquid depth of 5 to 15 cm (depending on local radiation) at pilot scale, as well as the reduction of operating costs by minimising the use of chemical reagents. The challenge will be to reduce the micropollutants present by up to 80% and to achieve inactivation of E. coli bacteria below the detection limit (1 CFU/mL) in accordance with the reuse requirements established for irrigation in Spain (RD 1620/2007). Likewise, the AQUELOO project will contribute to bridging the gap between the treatments validated at laboratory scale and their application in real conditions at pilot scale and in continuous flow.
Objetivos:
This project proposes the continuous operation of solar photocatalysis reactors with residence times (30 – 60 min) shorter than those currently used with chlorination (90 min). The general objectives of the project can be summarised as follows:
- To optimise the continuous operating variables of the “raceway” reactors for the regeneration of wastewater at pilot scale by means of solar photo-Fenton at neutral pH.
- To carry out the conceptual design of a commercial-scale reactor and cost estimation.