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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RETEMA journal publication
The RETEMA journal is one of the leading technical publications in Spain, with a history of more than 30 years, which deals with the most important issues related to the Environment sector:...
Countdown for the start-up of the pilot plants in Almería
The first steps for the installation of the pilot plants in Almería have already been carried out The tasks began on the first days of February at the Alboloduy plant, by installing a supporting...
Dissemination talk in Gádor college, Almería (Spain)
Our partner José Luis Casas from Ciesol gave a talk in the Gádor college, Almería (Spain), on last February 8th, to disseminate LIFE ALCHEMIA Project among the youngsters of the municipality. Our...
Work meeting between Almeria partners
Yesterday, a work meeting between Almeria partners (Diputación de Almería and CIESOL) was held at the CIESOL facilities, to coordinate and update the tasks that will be carried out in the pilot...
Start-up the pilot plant at the drinking water treatment plant in Viimsi (Estonia)
Last October, the Estonian pilot plant (Demo) was started at the Viimsi Water Treatment Plant, thus initiating the tasks of validation and operation of the pilot plant. The technological scheme...
The LIFE ALCHEMIA project has been presented at the 1st ENA (European NORM Association) international workshop
Our partners from University of Tartu (Estonia) have attended the 1st ENA workshop organized by Silesian Centre for Environmental Radioactivity, Central Mining Institute and IAF-Radioökologie GmbH,...
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