Projects / Programmes
Integrated approach to water pollution prevention
January 1, 2014
- December 31, 2019
| Code |
Science |
Field |
Subfield |
| 2.02.09 |
Engineering sciences and technologies |
Chemical engineering |
Ecological technology |
| 1.08.00 |
Natural sciences and mathematics |
Control and care of the environment |
|
| Code |
Science |
Field |
| T350 |
Technological sciences |
Chemical technology and engineering |
| Code |
Science |
Field |
| 2.04 |
Engineering and Technology |
Chemical engineering
|
| 1.05 |
Natural Sciences |
Earth and related Environmental sciences |
Researchers (30)
Organisations (1)
| no. |
Code |
Research organisation |
City |
Registration number |
No. of publicationsNo. of publications |
| 1. |
0104 |
National Institute of Chemistry |
Ljubljana |
5051592000 |
20,996 |
Abstract
Toxic and non-biodegradable compounds, such as endocrine disrupting compounds (EDCs), are present in the variety of industrial effluents, surface and drinking waters. In Europe, new environmental regulations are expected with tighter restrictions; thus, advanced technologies for wastewater treatment should be available for efficient elimination of emerging pollutants in order to face the incoming challenges. The removal of priority model pollutants from waters is difficult due to their chemical resistance and low solubility, which makes the biological treatment process unsuitable. Advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) seem to be the most promising technologies for purification of wastewaters contaminated with EDCs. The proposed research program aims to develop innovative heterogeneous catalysts for the removal (i.e. complete oxidative degradation or mineralisation) of model EDCs (e.g. bisphenol A) from wastewaters by means of catalytic wet-air oxidation (CWAO) and heterogeneous photocatalysis as examples of AOPs. These processes are based on the generation of reactive hydroxyl radicals, which together with the input energy (e.g., heat), enable oxidative degradation of pollutants. Complete mineralization of dissolved organic pollutants in water samples could be achieved by means of CWAO process in three-phase reactors under high pressures and temperatures or by the heterogeneous photocatalytic oxidation at ambient conditions. The latter will be studied in a wide range of electromagnetic radiation, with an emphasis on the utilization of sunlight. A meaningful focus will be placed on the development of novel and more active, primarily nanostructured catalysts that will enable long-term and effective removal of priority pollutants from water and wastewater samples, and at the same time increase the economic efficiency of the AOPs. It is well known that potential reaction intermediates and end-products may pose a threat to aquatic organisms that is even greater than of the parent pollutants. Therefore, the treated aqueous samples have to be strictly examined not only for the physico-chemical parameters, but also the potential harmful biological effects and potential biodegradability. The representative liquid-phase samples will be analyzed by various chemical analytical methods as well as biological tests, which will elucidate the effectiveness of oxidative treatment of model and real wastewater samples. Recent chemical analyses of representative aqueous samples treated with CWAO process revealed the presence of carboxylic acids as final products of oxidation reaction of priority pollutants. Our goal is to obtain energy based on H2 and/or CH4 gases from these acids by means of low-temperature catalytic decarboxylation process or anaerobic biodegradation. In case of highly polluted water samples (e.g., landfill leachate), the latter process will also be examined as a pre-treatment stage of catalytic purification.
Significance for science
Interdisciplinary approach to water pollution prevention will be contributing to development of contemporary points of view and rescuing procedures of the following problems: emissions reduction to environment, optimization and development of new procedures (of chemical and of biological), the characterization of some pollutants, development of contemporary wastewater treatment technologies, processing of organic waste substrates to renewable source of energy (biogas and syngas), monitoring of impacts of pollution on aquatic environment, improving of polluted environment and suitable treatment of captured data. Developed integrated approach will contribute to rise of quality of environment on both local and regional levels. At the same time, suggested solutions will bring new knowledge for global environmental problems control. The research findings will be presented on scientific meetings and published in distinguished scientific publications as well as patent literature.
Significance for the country
Interdisciplinary approach to water pollution prevention will be contributing to development for solution of Slovenian problems such as: emissions reduction to environment, optimization and development of new procedures (of chemical and of biological), the characterization of some pollutants, development of contemporary wastewater treatment technologies, processing of organic waste substrates to renewable source of energy (biogas), monitoring of impacts of pollution on water environment, improving of polluted environment and suitable treatment of captured data. Research results will elementarily contribute to creating of necessary knowledge for sustainable socially-economic development of Republic of Slovenia. Preferentially will be considered the characteristic and the most burning industrial and social problems from water protection area in Slovenia and rise of competitiveness of Slovenian economy on foreign markets.
Sustainable treatment with waters is important for good social-economic development. Pollution prevention is of exceptional importance for healthy environment and life of people and ecosystems and because of this urgent. Also education of young personnel will be important, that they will be trained in the frame of research group. We will transmit created knowledge and personnel potential to industrial partners and administrative bodies. We will introduce gained knowledge on professional and popular science encounters. We will contribute to rise of technological level on field of water and wastewater treatment and waste minimization and to rise of awareness concerning environment protection.
Most important scientific results
Annual report
2014,
2015,
final report
Most important socioeconomically and culturally relevant results
Annual report
2014,
2015,
final report
