Conventional wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) demand significant capital investment and ongoing maintenance costs. These expenses, coupled with a shortage of local expertise and limited financial resources, hinder the development of WWTP infrastructure in many developing countries.
Decentralized wastewater treatment systems (DWTS) offer a sustainable solution by providing on-site wastewater processing and creating closed-loop systems that recover resources and reuse water for agriculture. DWTS also help reduce improper sanitation and improve water availability for non-potable and irrigation uses.
CIRQUA will introduce innovative technologies and materials to:
- Lower the cost of wastewater treatment
- Enable on-demand DWTS operation
- Conserve water resources
- Enhance soil fertility through biomass transformation
- Comply with environmental regulations
- Protect public health
- Empower local communities with flexible and sustainable options
MOF’s
CIRQUA will enhance constructed wetland (CW) technology by integrating Metal-Organic Framework Composites (MOFCs) and photocatalysis. This innovative approach will produce high-quality reclaimed water.Additionally, by incorporating legume plants, we will increase the nitrogen (N) content of biomass, thereby enriching the N content of our MOFC-based nanofertilizers.
CW-derived plant and microbial biomass will be transformed into MOFCs containing calcium and magnesium. These novel, slow-release mineral fertilizers will gradually deliver essential nutrients (N, P) and metal ions (Ca, Mg) to agricultural soils, boosting fertility and crop yields. The inclusion of other plant-derived trace elements will further expand the nutrient profile of our MOFC fertilizers. This eco-friendly wastewater treatment process converts wastewater into a valuable resource, aligning with CIRQUA’s economic goals while improving water quality and quantity.
Nanotechnology offers a promising avenue for advancing wastewater treatment. Metal-Organic Frameworks (MOFs) have emerged as effective tools for adsorbing and catalytically degrading persistent pollutants. CIRQUA will develop magnetic MOFCs with high surface area and reactivity, enabling efficient removal from water using magnetic fields. To enhance versatility, we will also create MOF-based organic polymer composites, such as those incorporating alginic acid.These materials can be shaped into filter-like structures for efficient pollutant removal.
While nanomaterials have shown promise in laboratory settings, their application in pilot-scale systems remains limited.CIRQUA will address this gap by testing both magnetic MOFCs and MOF-based polymer composites as advanced filter materials. These materials will effectively capture microp pollutants, pathogens, and viruses, leading to improved water quality and sanitation.
