Integration of wastewater treatment through physicochemical and biological processes for sustainable water management

Context: The Mediterranean region has been severely impacted by drought. Notably, Morocco has been being particularly affected. In recent years, Moroccan agricultural yields have significantly declined, with some estimates showing a reduction of up to 50% in certain regions. This has led to increased food insecurity and economic strain on farming communities. Other countries also suffer and look for solutions. In Algeria, the general agricultural policy is increasingly focusing on the exploitation of desert areas by tapping into underground water reserves. With over 80% of Algeria's landmass classified as desert, this approach is crucial. The country has been investing in advanced water extraction technologies to harness these hidden reserves. A portion of this water is earmarked for irrigation purposes, aiming to sustain and even expand agricultural activities in arid regions. Similarly, in Spain, the amount of water available for agriculture, especially in the south of the country, is increasingly limiting and desertification is on the rise. Agricultural activity in Spain is inconceivable without irrigation, so good water-energy-food-ecosystem management is essential for the country. Meanwhile, the remaining water will be allocated to general operations, which include urban and industrial uses. Algeria is also exploring innovative water treatment methods to enhance water recovery and maximize usage efficiency. The primary objective of this project is to establish an innovative synergy between physicochemical and biological wastewater treatment processes, integrated with clean energy production. The entire process will be supervised, monitored, and optimized using advanced software called WatTool. In addition, a second tool, the Decision Support Tool (DST), will enable communities to design and implement customized wastewater treatment processes. This integrated approach will facilitate the recovery, treatment, and reuse of wastewater, contributing to a sustainable water supply while significantly reducing pollution in both aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems. By enhancing environmental protection, this initiative directly supports the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals: SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation), SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy), and SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production)
 

Overall objectives: The fundamental aims of this research endeavour are centralised the valorisation and recycling of different types of wastewater, addressing water governance and management challenges, across industrial, agricultural, or other sectors. Our goal is to develop efficient, resilient, and self-sustaining wastewater treatment processes with no or minimal environmental impact. This unique approach combines various treatment methods to produce purified water, fertilizers, and biostimulants, while capturing and reusing CO2. This approach fully aligns with circular economy principles, emphasizing optimal water resource management and reuse.

This Proposal: Innovative software tools for wastewater management and energy production

As part of this project, two innovative software tools will be developed (WatTool and DST) to enhance wastewater management and energy production. Both tools will be open access and available online:

Tool 1: real-time monitoring and optimization tool for wastewater management (WatTool)

The primary objective of this tool is to provide continuous monitoring of wastewater distribution, including the quantity, types of pollutants, and their concentrations. This tool will facilitate real-time data collection, storage, and processing, utilizing advanced artificial intelligence (AI) techniques for data analysis. By accurately capturing and analysing this data, the tool will enable effective management and optimization of wastewater treatment processes. This optimization aspect is crucial, as it allows for precise alignment of treatment processes with the specific characteristics of the wastewater. For instance, some wastewater streams may only require targeted physico-chemical treatments, which helps avoid unnecessary treatments and reduces operational costs. Additionally, the tool will offer dynamic mapping capabilities, generating real-time maps of wastewater resources. These maps will assist in identifying the most efficient treatment configurations and strategies to maximize benefits.

The integration of data from various sources, including companies that produce wastewater and local authorities such as municipal offices, will ensure that the tool remains up-to-date and provides comprehensive coverage. This real-time data integration will support timely and informed decision-making. Moreover, the tool will incorporate techno-economic analyses and LCA to evaluate the environmental and economic impacts of the treatment processes. This holistic approach will provide a thorough understanding of the system’s performance and sustainability.

Tool 2: Decision Support Tool (DST)

The DST will play a pivotal role in enabling wastewater recovery companies, energy utilities, community-owned wastewater treatment facilities, and renewable energy cooperatives to conduct comprehensive cost-benefit analyses. By guiding these stakeholders in implementing wastewater-based models, the DST will support water recovery, optimal management, effective governance, and energy production. One of the key functions of the DST is to help determine the critical size required for a wastewater-based system to be economically viable at specific locations. This feature will be particularly beneficial for assessing the feasibility of different projects. Through the PHYBIOMED pilot plants, communities will gain valuable insights into wastewater treatment technologies and the production of clean, renewable energy. The development of a broad portfolio of pilot technologies will provide both technical and financial evidence to support the deployment of these systems throughout the Mediterranean region. Furthermore, the DST will foster collaboration and knowledge sharing among Mediterranean communities. It will facilitate the transition from individual wastewater treatment systems to a unified, sustainable management framework, while also enabling cities and communities to exchange experiences and maximize their renewable resource utilization.

The open nature of the DST model will promote continuous improvement in wastewater treatment systems, allowing communities and businesses across the Mediterranean to adopt new techniques and adjust costs over time. By developing and deploying these tools, the project aims to enhance the efficiency, sustainability, and economic viability of wastewater management and energy production systems across the Mediterranean region.

A network of 14 engineering schools

6 INSA: Centre Val de Loire, Lyon, Rennes, Rouen Normandie, Strasbourg and Toulouse

1 international INSA: Euro-Méditerranée in Morocco

7 partner engineering schools:  ENSCI Limoges, ENSIAME Valenciennes, ISIS Castres, ENSCMu Mulhouse, ENSISA Sud Alsace, ESITech Rouen and Sup'ENR Perpignan.

Our mission

Ensure the training of engineers and doctoral students

Actively participate in scientific and technological research

Develop continuing education for engineers and technicians and ensure the spread of scientific culture

Contribute to economic growth in France by training innovative executives

Our vision

Deliberate admissions of students from diverse origins (gender parity, disability, international mindset…)

A humanized learning experience for engineers who uphold citizenship values

Learning backed by cutting-edge research

We are looking for a process engineering candidate with some experience in process modeling and optimization. The candidate should be interested in wastewater treatment, including techniques like photocatalysis, electrocoagulation, and microalgae treatment. Knowledge of Aspen Plus, Python, and MATLAB would be a plus.