Development of hybrid system by integrating nanocatalyst and adsorptive composites in situ in sequential biofiltration systems

Technical University of Munich, Germany

1. Technical University of Munich, Germany
2. University of Santiago de Compostela (USC), Spain

Sequential biofiltration systems offer tremendous opportunities to enhance the degradation of OMPs. However, contaminants that are not amendable to biological or chemical oxidation will not be effectively attenuated. Thus, combining these biological processes with innovative physico-chemical processes employing novel (nano) engineered materials and adsorptive composites as well as next-generation membranes can result in the establishment of a wide range of different OMPs as well as microbial contaminants (i.e., viruses, antibiotic resistant bacteria or antibiotic resistance genes). Building upon the findings of WP1 and 4, suitable nano-engineered materials and composites (chitosan nanocomposites) will be incorporated as reactive barrier in the sequential biofiltration concept to target OMPs that are not suitable to biological degradation. In addition, next-generation membranes will be employed as a final polishing step after biofiltration exhibiting low fouling propensities. These process combination might enhance not only the removal of OMPs but also the reduction of antibiotic resistance genes while exhibiting a low carbon footprint. Targeted studies will be conducted to elucidate the fate and transport of these contaminants in these hybrid systems including a life cycle analysis and life cycle costing in comparison to traditional advanced water treatment processes.

University of Santiago de Compostela (USC), Spain – 12 months