Towards a smart & integral treatment of natural radioactivity
in water provision services
LIFE ALCHEMIA addresses one of the current challenges of water for human consumption such as the presence of natural radioactivity. There is a considerable lack of knowledge by the actors involved and it can be stated that, despite the current legislation (Directive 2013/51/Euratom), radioactivity is not systematically monitored at European level. Indeed, this is an environmental problem that cannot be solved at source, as it is generated by the groundwater dilution of minerals rich in radioactive isotopes, mainly from uranium (U), radium (Ra) and thorium (Th) series. Therefore, new systems able to provide sustainable removal of radioactivity from a cost-effectiveness point of view are needed. Reverse osmosis (RO) is the most commonly treatment used for this application; however carbon footprint of this process is very high and generates large volumes of water rejection with radioactivity that needs further treatment. LIFE ALCHEMIA offers a breakthrough in this problem from two angles. First, with the use of removal systems based on bed filters, which will reduce up to five times the cost of the water purification. Moreover, the whole life cycle of the radioactivity will be considered, including the management of the waste generated.
Objectives
To demonstrate the technical and economic feasibility of bed filters that will be optimized to remove radioactivity from water and to minimize the generation of Naturally Occurring Radioactive Materials (NORM) exceeding the exemption level …
Expected results
In quantitative terms, LIFE ALCHEMIA will lead to the following results: 4 filter-based pilot plants will provide removal rates of gross alpha and beta activity up to 90%, and reductions in the concentrations of specific radionuclides (U and Ra) between 75% and 90% …
Improving drinking water quality
Building a sustainable futureProject news
Latest activity in LIFE ALCHEMIA
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Students from the University of Salamanca know about LIFE ALCHEMIA
A group of students of the Chemistry Degree from the University of Salamanca (Spain) visited the facilities of Fundacion CARTIF in Boecillo, Valladolid, on April 25th. The researchers who are...
Radio interview of TUT and UT in Vikerraadio
Tallinn University of Technology and the University of Tartu scientists Anna Goi, Madis Kiisk and Siiri Suursoo discussed the problems of the drinking water radioactivity and the treatment options...
Visit of DIPALME authorities to CIESOL’s facilities
The Vicepresident of Diputación de Almería (DIPALME), Javier Aureliano, visited CIESOL's facilities together with three regional deputies from this institution. They were received by the Rector of...
Interview on Onda Cero radio
Isabel Rodríguez and Javier Martínez from DIPALME and José Luis Casas from CIESOL participated in the program "Almería en la Onda" by Onda Cero radio. Our partners reviewed the history of Life...
2nd coordination meeting of LIFE ALCHEMIA Project
All the partners of LIFE ALCHEMIA Project as well as our monitor from NEEMO gathered in CARTIF's facilities in Boecillo (Valladolid) to hold the second coordination meeting of the Project. The...
TV interview on ETV
Our partner Juri Bolobajev from the Tallinn University of Technology was interviewed by ETV channel to introduce the LIFE ALCHEMIA Project. You can find the full interview (Russian language) in...
Environmental awareness
Some project figures
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%
NORM reduction genetared during the elimination of radioactivity
%
Cost reduction in water treatment
%
Alpha and beta radioactivity reduction in pilot plants
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Environmental impact reduction
Participate with LIFE ALCHEMIA
Project evaluation online questionnaire and quick questionnaire about drinking water treatment plants (DWTP)
DWTP Database
Get access to our database of drinking water treatment plants (DWTP) that treat water with natural radioactivity in Europe