DESCRIPTION
Soil is a non-renewable resource and therefore its conservation is essential for a sustainable future. In fact, contaminated soil represents a threat to both ecosystems and human health and cannot be exploited unless it is properly remediated. The remediation of contaminated soils can be carried out through traditional physico-chemical strategies or through more sustainable biological treatments from an environmental and economic point of view.
The e-Cube project proposes the design and implementation of bioelectrochemical systems on an industrial scale for the biological remediation of soils contaminated by hydrocarbons. The e-Cube system will be developed as a modular bioreactor integrated with electrodes. The e-Cube system is based on the properties of some microorganisms to degrade pollutants and to use the electrodes as electron acceptors, also generating an electric current. The e-Cube system will increase the efficiency of classic biological treatments, improving the treatment performance in terms of reducing treatment times, volumes to be treated and operating costs. Furthermore, thanks to the modular design of the bioreactors, it will be possible to apply this new technology on-site, limiting the movement and transport of polluted soil.
Specifically, the project has allowed the development of the design concept on a laboratory scale for the identification of the most relevant variables of the system, and on a pilot scale in a soil treatment plant.
PRODUCTS AND SERVICES
Development of a new technology for the biological remediation of soil
TEAM
Anna Espinoza, Francesca Formicola, Andrea Franzetti, Luigi Righini, Tatiana Stella, Valentino Suagher
CONTACTS
STATUS
Ongoing
UPDATE
Through a collaboration with the spin-off company of the University of Milano-Bicocca, M3R S.r.l., the eCube has been proposed to possible stakeholders, for its commercialization in bioremediation projects.
PROJECT DURATION
24 months
GRANTS
60.000 €
YEAR OF ACTIVITY (IPF)
2019
