Combined treatments to control organic compounds in supply water

• Grant number: 23/01089-7
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
• Start date: July 01, 2023
• End date: April 30, 2026
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Sanitary Engineering - Water Supply and Wastewater Treatment
• Agreement: SABESP
• Principal Investigator: Christiane de Arruda Rodrigues
• Grantee: Juliana de Almeida
• Host Institution: Instituto de Ciências Ambientais, Químicas e Farmacêuticas (ICAQF). Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP). Campus Diadema. Diadema , SP, Brazil
• Company: Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP). Campus Diadema. Instituto de Ciências Ambientais, Químicas e Farmacêuticas (ICAQF)
• Associated research grant: 20/12263-0 - Combined use of physical-photoeletrochemical processes to remove substances which are responsible for taste and odor in drinking water, AP.PITE

Abstract

The lack of water quality is currently considered one of the most serious problems faced by water supply and treatment companies in municipalities. The limited extensions of collection networks and sewage treatment systems lead to its in natura discharge into rivers, soils and seas, compromising water quality and promoting eutrophication processes. As a main consequence, eutrophication affects the proliferation of microorganisms (cyanobacteria and actinomycetes) that produce compounds such as geosmin (GSM) and 2-methylisoborneol (MIB), imparting odor and flavor to water. These compounds are noticed by consumers at very low levels and are not removed by conventional treatment processes. In this context, alternative techniques to increase efficiency in the removal of organic compounds are investigated. Therefore, this project proposes the combined use of physical-photoelectrochemical processes for the removal of these substances on a large scale through the study of pilot projects. Thus, isolated studies will be carried out to optimize the processes of adsorption by activated carbon of yeast residue biomass, filtering membranes and photoelectrochemical and electrochemical processes using nanostructured catalysts activated by UV/Visible radiation. And finally, the comparison with the combined configuration of these processes. (AU)