Sustainable wastewater treatment, valorization of waste, and pathogen-free water disinfection collectively contribute to environmental preservation and resource conservation. Examples will include:
Water (disinfection and sensors):
Our objective is to develop a pathogen-free water disinfection system based on an ultra-violet (UV)-light emitting diode (LED) Reactor proof of concept (POC). This POC operates at water flow rates of 1-10 L/min and achieves up to 99.99% disinfection of bacteria and viruses using a multispectral (MS) patent, which involves several wavelengths simultaneously. A functional prototype is being tested under simulated field conditions to assess system performance. Parameters under examination include microbial inactivation, water flow rates, input and output pressures, and the influence of water quality on system efficacy.We are piloting in Uganda in Innovation: Africa site –which requires joint detailed planning of build of materials, interfaces with systems, operation/maintenance, water quality tests, and much more. A case study for using AI to predict water quality will also be presented.
Waste (textile and agriculture waste):
The increasing consumption of clothes, driven by the fast-fashion phenomenon, has led to a substantial production of textile waste. There is a growing demand for alternative solutionsto address the environmental concerns of current waste management methods. In this study, cotton-based textile waste, which constitutes a significant portion of textile waste in Israel (65% cotton content), is utilized for nanocellulose production through sulfuric acid hydrolysis in four experimental runs. The average yield of crystallinenanocellulose obtained was 44.74%. Preliminary studies on membrane fabrication using nanocellulose derived from textile waste showcased the potential for future applications of recycled nanocellulose. A case study for the treatment of agriculture waste will also be presented.
Wastewater (treatment and reuse):
This study presents a treatment technology for effectively removing organic micropollutants (OMPs) from wastewater effluent using a UV-vis-LED photocatalytic membrane reactor. The hybrid system integrates photocatalysis and low-pressure membrane filtration in a compact design. The photocatalysis-based advanced oxidation process (AOP) is catalyzed by UVA-and visible light-emitting diodes (LEDs) coated on mm-size porous support, reducing energy consumption and operational costs. Utilizing electrophoretic deposition (EPD) on conductive porous substrates such as metal foam, a cost-effective heterogeneous nanocatalyst is coated, enabling eco-efficient processes with minimal energy demand. Implementing this new technology can significantly reduce the carbon footprint associated with conventional energy-intensive water treatment processes as ozonation. To facilitate upscale purposes, a new tool for evaluating the carbon footprint over the life cycle of emerging water treatment technologies is developed and applied in the early stages of technological development. A case study for sewage pond treatment and reuse in Punjab will also be presented.