On July 2nd, the REGENIOUS (REthinking the ReGENeration of spent granular activated carbon) project officially kicked off its first meeting. The project aims to revolutionise the regeneration of spent granular activated carbon (GAC), an essential in industrial and municipal water treatment, by replacing fossil fuel-based thermal processes with a novel electrochemical regeneration (ER) technology. REGENIOUS will have a duration of 48 months, and it will be tested in Spain and Cyprus, in order to validate its performance under real conditions, industrial sectors and contexts. It will also carry out replication activities in Germany and Portugal.
Thermal regeneration currently dominates the market but is highly energy-intensive, generates significant GHG emissions, and shortens the carbon’s usable life. REGENIOUS will develop a portable and modular ER plant capable of operating directly at end-user facilities, which will drastically reduce energy demand, costs, and environmental impacts, while avoiding transport and landfill. At lab scale, new electrode formulations and regeneration protocols will be optimised for durability, efficiency, and pollutant removal.
The project, led by ENVIROHEMP brings together a consortium of sixteen distinguished partners from across Europe, including research institutions, universities and technological organizations, namely, Consorcio De Aguas Bilbao Bizkaia, Eparchiakos Organismos Aftodioikisis Larnakas, Aguas de Barcelona, Canal De Isabel II, Extraco Construccions E Proxectos, ASCA, Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona, Fundacion Gaiker, Central Metallurgical Research and Development Institute, CETAQUA, Asociacion Española De Normalizacion, Contactica, C4G, Waterloop and Water Europe.
Regenious intends to enhance performance and competitiveness of the water ecosystem, as well as contribute to solve global water challenges. This will be done by demonstrating its applicability with technological optimisation and long-term sustainability, which involves environmental, economic and societal impact. These aspects are key to continuing to achieve a circular economy, which aligns with the EU Green Deal, as it paves the way for a climate-neutral European industry.
For more information check the LinkedIn project’s account.
