| Project Attribute | Project Details |
|---|---|
| Project Title | Sense and Purify: Detect, Destroy and Remove Water Contaminants |
| EPA Project Code | 2019-W-MS-41 |
| Lead Organisation | Dublin City University (DCU) |
| Coordinator | Robert Forster |
| EPA Research 2014 – 2020 Theme(s) | Water: Theme 4: Understanding, Managing and Conserving our Water Resources EPA Research Pillars |
| Project Start and End Dates | Start: 01/04/2019 End (if applicable): 31/03/2022 Revised End Date (if applicable): |
| EPA Project Type | Medium Scale Project |
| EPA Award Type | STRIVE – Project Based Awards |
| Current Project Status | Grant Awarded |
| Total Funding Amount | 297790.67 |
| Project Abstract/Description | The “Sense and Purify” SPy technology allows organic molecules and pathogens, that cannot be destroyed using conventional wastewater treatments, to be mineralised to carbon dioxide, ammonia and water. It does this by generating a high concentration of the powerful oxidising agent, hydroxyl radicals, throughout a water sample volume with very high electrical efficiency. The active agent has no persistent toxicity (radical lifetime is 5 μs), causes no residue and causes no secondary pollution. It can be implemented at source, is highly mobile/portable, is low cost, has a high throughput, ensures optimised water quality for a given application through sensing/analysis of the inlet and outlet streams, is energy efficient, environmentally friendly, broadly applicable to a wide range of waste streams (from microalgae farms to industry and municipal waste) and has low Capex and Opex Scientific •Novel wireless electrochemistry approach to oxidative electrocatalysis. •Insights into the rates and mechanism of organic pollutant oxidation. Economic •Prototype reactor for the purification of waste water streams generated by one of Ireland’s leading industries, (bio)pharma. Decreased waste water treatment costs. •Enhanced removal of recalcitrant organic pollutants from industrial waste water streams. Social •Enhanced public awareness of water resource issues. Education and Outreach •PhD students and Postdoctoral researchers with the necessary skills for future industrial, policy, academic and start-up employment. • Publications in international, peer-reviewed journals. |
| EPA Scientific Officer | OonaghMonahan |