Project Portugal 2030

Summary

The RESOLVE project aims to investigate the potential protective effect of hydrochar obtained from agriculture byproducts, incorporating a waste-to-value approach, in biological WWT processes (suspended and granular aerobic sludge) subjected to stress scenarios, such as the presence of multiple MPs in wastewater. Given the importance of such class of compounds and the scarcity of studies on the subject, one of the major goals of the project is to investigate the possible hydrochar's efficacy in mitigating the impact of MPs on biological processes, contributing to improve the wastewater treatment efficiency. Another important aim is the investigation of the success of the implementation of this initiative in bioreactors using actual wastewater, demonstrating hydrochar's reusability, which has not yet been investigated, to the best of our knowledge. Additionally, it will be investigated the sludge recovery which could represent a revenue for the industries as they can produce added value products while treating water. The project also intends to minimize the release of hazardous materials and expand the environmental sustainability of WWTPs, thus contributing to the circular economy concept, completely aligned to the European Green Deal. Ultimately, many WWTPs implemented worldwide can clearly benefit from the final sustainable strategy boosted in the present project. The specific objectives of this project are as follows: i. To assess the adsorption mechanisms of multiple MPs on hydrochar and sludge; ii. To develop an innovative QIA procedure for identifying and quantifying multiple MPs; iii. To explore the mitigation impact of multiple MPs on sludge performance using hydrochar; iv. To operate aerobic bioreactors using actual wastewater and ensure efficient mitigation impacts of multiple MPs; v. To evaluate the reusability potential of hydrochar and determine its long-term viability as a treatment solution; vi. To assess the recovery of value-added products from sludge. These objectives underscore the commitment not only to advancing the understanding and application of hydrochar in addressing the challenges of MP pollution in WWT but also to maintaining the performance of sludge, surpassing current practices and knowledge in the field.