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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LIFE ALCHEMIA in Partenalia European Session in Seville
Isabel Rodríguez from Diputación de Almería presentated LIFE Alchemia project in Partenalia European Session “Exchange of good practices and experiences related to sustainability and the Covenant of...
HMO technology lab-scale demo constructed in Tallinn University of Technology
Within the preparatory action A4: Optimizing the operation conditions for the HMO technology (Estonian Demo), the construction of a lab-scale prototype has been carried out at the Tallinn University...
Networking with Fiñana DWTP (Almería)
Diputación de Almería has adapted the DWTP of Fiñana. To do this, it has carried out a refining treatment using zeolites in ETAP for the waters of Barranco del Rosal regulated by El Castañar dam....
Diputación de Almería at the SmartWater Conference in Alicante
Diputación de Almería was represented by Javier Martínez at the 'Smart Water 2017' conference held in Alicante, presenting his water management model of Telemando as an efficient proposal in the...
Continuation in the data collection for the design of the pilot plant in Tahal (Almería)
Within the A3 preparatory action, the data collection tasks for the Spanish pilot plants design in Almería continue in Tahal.
Starting the design of one of the pilot plant in Benizalón (Almería)
Beginning the necessary field works for the design of one of the pilot plants in Benizalón in Almería (Spain), which will be based on filter beds. These works are part of the preparatory action A3:...
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
%
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