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 will participate in the 1st ENA (European NORM Association) workshop
The 1st ENA workshop organized by Silesian Centre for Environmental Radioactivity, Central Mining Institute and IAF-Radioökologie GmbH, will be held in Katowice (Poland) in November 19th - 22nd...
Publication on Open Access Government
Open Access Government is a digital publication that provides an in-depth perspective on key public policy areas from all around the world, including health and social care, research and innovation,...
Talks at two colleges from Almería (Spain) in the context of the European Night of Researchers
The European Night of Researchers was not only used to disseminate LIFE ALCHEMIA through a stand located at the Rambla Federico García Lorca in Almería (Spain) and a radio interview in the Onda Cero...
Interview in “Almería en la Onda” within the European Night of Researchers
The Onda Cero program "Almería en la Onda" made a especial following of the European Night of Researchers. LIFE ALCHEMIA had a space in this program with an interview to our partners José Luis Casas...
LIFE ALCHEMIA in the European Night of Researchers in Almería
LIFE ALCHEMIA Project participated in the European Night of Researchers event hold in Almería. This event is a European project of scientific dissemination promoted by the European Commission within...
First promotional video of LIFE ALCHEMIA
The first promotional video of LIFE ALCHEMIA is already available in our YouTube channel. https://youtu.be/MyUigq2dX9s This first promotional video gives an overview of the Project through the...
Environmental awareness
Some project figures
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NORM reduction genetared during the elimination of radioactivity
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Cost reduction in water treatment
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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