| Summary: |
In the DEPCAT project, a new equipment successfully developed at pilot scale will be now constructed at demonstration scale for future commercialization. The equipment combines two oxidation processes (ozonation and photocatalysis) in a single reactor and includes a structured catalyst which was designed to comply with the treatment process specifications. The demonstration in real situations will take place in specialized companies, end-users of this project, and aims the industrial validation of the equipment in three different operating environments for which it was designed: potable water (C), pre-biological (B) and reuse (R). Application C is related with the treatment of water used in the food industry, namely in the manipulation and processing of agricultural products for human consumption. The purpose of Application B is the pre-treatment of wastewater directed to biological systems, resulting from chestnut processing. Application R aims the reuse of wastewater generated by agro-industrial enterprises and by municipal wastewater treatment plants.
The industrial validation of this equipment will only be possible due to the strong multidisciplinary component that considers an integrated control of water quality, before and after treatment, at three levels: (i) microbiological, including not only reference indicators, but also the analysis of potential pathogens, such as bacteria that are resistant to antibiotics and their genetic determinants; (ii) chemical, by determining priority pollutants and contaminants of emerging concern, as well as the assessment of routine physico-chemical parameters; (iii) toxicological, assessing the toxicity and the estrogenic effect. It is estimated an impact of nearly 15% in the sales volumes of ADVENTECH in the year of conclusion of the project (with potential increase up to 30% in the next years) and the possibility to enter into new market segments and new geographic regions (Central/North Europe and Middle East). |