Development of a sustainable and effective oxidation technology for wastewater treatment

Abstract: This interdisciplinary project aims to provide a safe and reliable technology for the
treatment of wastewater including domestic and industrial effluents. To achieve this, a novel
technology will be developed by combining photocatalytic oxidation with adsorption
processes. Scientific input and financial support from Dryden Aqua during the whole duration
of the studentship will safeguard the feasibility and effectiveness of the project.
Background: Wastewater treatment has improved significantly over the past 20 years, with
most of UK surface waters now being in good biological and chemical quality. However, the
energy required to treat wastewater to this standard is high; with energy being used to collect,
treat and discharge wastewater and manage sewage sludge. There is no doubt that as our
demand for clean water increases, so does the total amount of energy needed to safely
discharge wastewater into the environment. Since conventional wastewater treatment
processes are energy-intensive and hence not environmentally friendly, future strategies
should focus on reducing energy demands and enabling zero to negative energy treatment
requirements, as to create economic incentives and enable access to sustainable sanitation
in both developed and developing communities.
Dryden Aqua has recently demonstrated novel adsorption materials that can successfully
replace conventional sand filters by doubling their performance. Nevertheless, persistent and
xenobiotic pollutants, such as pharmaceuticals, microplastics, detergents, and other emerging
contaminants, cannot be effectively removed by conventional techniques. Over the last few
years, research has proven that photocatalytic oxidation technology can effectively degrade
persistent and toxic pollutants from wastewater. Photocatalysis is based on the use of light
and a catalyst to oxidize pollutants to safe final products. This project is uniquely designed to
make significant technological steps beyond the state-of-the-art by using novel Dryden
materials in combination with photocatalytic processes to provide an integrated, low cost and
efficient method for wastewater treatment. Our recent discoveries in photocatalytic oxidation
and water treatment [5] will be further advanced to meet the quality standards for drinking
water treatment.
Objectives: To deliver a new robust technology able to serve as a tertiary treatment polishing
method for water and wastewater treatment to remove hazardous persistent organic pollutants
as well as priority substances such as micro-plastics