Work-package 3

Coordinated by Transilvania University of Brașov (P3), WP3 develops advanced and integrated processes for wastewater treatment, water reuse and the recovery of nutrients, metals and energy. It evaluates innovative materials developed in WP2 and combines catalytic, electrochemical, membrane and biological approaches to remove priority and emerging pollutants. Research also explores hydrogen production and the conversion of biogas and carbon dioxide into valuable fuels and chemicals, supporting circular water management and resource efficiency.

WP3 Objectives

O3.1 Evaluate innovative materials for PPs/EPs degradation, resources, and energy recovery, aiming at sustainable wastewater treatment and promoting the circular bioeconomy through nanotechnology and catalysis.

O3.2 Develop catalytic integrated processes for nutrient and metal recovery, H2 production, CO2/CH4 conversion, enhancing wastewater treatment and circular water management.

WP3 Tasks and Activities

Task 3.1 Screening the environmental applications of the innovative materials developed in WP2

Task 3.2 Development and integration of advanced processes for degradation and mineralization of PPs/EPs in wastewater

Task 3.3 Integrated innovative processes for nutrient recovery from wastewater for agricultural use

Task 3.4. Innovative processes for metal recovery and sustainable industrial water management

Task 3.5 Development of innovative photo(electro)chemical processes for enhanced hydrogen production and wastewater treatment

Task 3.6 Advanced conversion and utilization of biogas and CO2 for sustainable fuel and chemical production

WP3 Expected Results

• Validated performance data for innovative materials used in pollutant degradation, resource recovery, hydrogen production and carbon dioxide capture and conversion.
• Integrated wastewater treatment technologies targeting more than 95% removal of selected priority and emerging micropollutants, supported by degradation pathway analysis and ecotoxicity assessment.
• Innovative nutrient recovery processes producing reusable nutrient streams for agricultural applications.
• Optimised metal recovery processes supporting resource recovery and sustainable industrial water management.
• Photoelectrochemical and photocatalytic systems combining wastewater treatment with enhanced hydrogen production.
• Catalytic processes for converting sludge-derived biogas, captured carbon dioxide and biomass-derived compounds into valuable fuels and chemicals.
• A database of at least twenty hybrid technologies, at least ten waste-derived cathode formulations, and six functional models or prototypes.
• Seven technical reports covering materials performance, integrated treatment, degradation pathways, nutrient and metal recovery, hydrogen production, and fuel and chemical conversion.
• Six patent applications, at least twenty-three Q1/Q2 journal articles, and at least twenty-eight international conference presentations.