The project
The NanoTheCAba project is divided into five work packages.
WP1 - UF/NF membrane and prototype Development
WP1will be focused on the design and development of the two innovative treatment stages of the pilot unit for water treatment: the unique SiC-based UF/NF membranes and the TPBR for CECsabatement.
A circular economy principle will be applied for the development of the TPBR for CECS and AMR pathogens oxidation and consequent abatement at mild temperatures, by recycling the ceramic scraps deriving by filters production. This provides and answers to the important economic and environmentally sustainable needs deriving form SiC membranes scrap production.
WP2 - Thermocatalytic NPW and AM NPs synthesis
In WP2, the synthesis of thermocatalytic Nanopowders to be coated onto the scraps- based SiC beads will be performed. The active thermocatalytic layer is a perovskite-type compound. For the antimicrobial MicroFiltration (MF) membrane, antimicrobial NPs will be purchased and/or synthesized and characterized for further antimicrobial performance enhancement.
This WP will be developed in conjunction with WP1, WP3 and WP5, by taking into consi- deration: the nanopowder catalytic activity, the amounts of NPWs to be produced per batch, and the nano-safety issues.
WP3 - Coating solutions for SiC membranes
The objectives of WP3 are the development of optimal sonochemical coating for functionalising the SiC beads with thermocatalytic NPW and the development of ultrasonic spray coating formulation to deposit antimicrobial NPs on MF membranes. Subcontracted Sonochemistry experts will help devising the optimal sonochemical coating parameters to functionalise the TPBR beads in order to achieve maximum deposition rate and maximum thermocatalytic functionality referring to processing temperature.
The membranes coatings by spray coating technology with antimicrobial metal oxides nanoparticles will also be developed. The NPs processability by spray coating will be investigated in detail.
WP4: System integration testing & validation
In WP4, A bench-scale apparatus will be designed, assembled and tested first with relevant wastewater samples. The bench scale apparatus will generate two streams of pure water,
the membrane permeate and the TPBR effluent. Both streams are expected to not contain pathogens and have negligible concentrations of CECs. Then, the pilot will be installed in Italy, where NanoTheC-Aba Associated partners will provide real wastewater samples relevant for 4 industrial case studies (a fish farm, a textile industry, a tannery and a hospital).
The activities will also address industrial upscaling.
WP5: Management, dissemination, exploitation
WP5 is dedicated to the management and the implementation of the communication and exploitation plans of the project.