Development of novel hybrid process based on graphene modified smart textile filters and polymer membranes for advanced wastewater treatment – HyprSTEP
Project title
Development of novel hybrid process based on graphene modified smart textile filters and polymer membranes for advanced wastewater treatment – HyprSTEP
Name of Beneficiary/Beneficiaries
Polymemtech sp. z o.o.
Warsaw University of Technology
Hohenstein Institut für Textilinnovation
Atec Automatisierungstechnik
Norafin Industries
Name of programme
International programmes
Competition
M-ERA.NET 2 Call 2018
Project value
PLN 2,442,902.00
Funding value
PLN 2,201,138.94
Project delivery period
from 1 October 2019 to 31 March 2023
Meet our team
Main contractors in the project representing the Polish consortium
dr hab. inż. Maciej Szwast, university professor
dr inż. Daniel Polak
See the results of our work
One of the most important results of our work was the development of methodology and the creation of various filtration structures modified with an oxidised form of graphene. The developed materials can be used at different stages of wastewater treatment, including pre-filtration, membrane filtration, and purification in membrane bioreactors.
The photo shows, in sequence, modified: non-woven filters, polymer membranes, and ceramic membranes.
What problem does our project solve?
The HyprSTEP project focused on developing innovative wastewater treatment processes for use in wastewater treatment plants or on-site treatment facilities. Compared to currently used wastewater treatment technologies, the key factors were a significant increase in effectiveness and the cost-efficiency of the new treatment processes. The new hybrid process is based on preliminary and final wastewater treatment using smart textile filters combined with tailor-made membrane bioreactors (MBRs). Inefficient wastewater treatment processes in treatment plants are responsible for introducing antibiotic-resistant bacteria and antibiotics into the hydrological cycle (agriculture, food industry, households, etc.). To effectively address these important global issues, the HyprSTEP project aims to implement a new hybrid wastewater treatment process. Key stages of the innovation include adsorptive and biocidal graphene coatings applied to textile filters and the surfaces of polymer and ceramic membranes
Who will benefit from the project's results?
The beneficiaries of the developed technology will primarily be industrial plants operating in areas where the precision of the tools used is particularly important, and in areas where substances particularly harmful to the environment, such as pharmaceuticals, are handled. The most demanding branches of industry include those that produce or use pharmaceuticals in their processes.
What was the biggest challenge for us in implementing the project?
One of the biggest challenges in developing technology that combines interdisciplinary solutions is creating a communication network between experts representing different fields of science. Achieving the project's goals required the knowledge and experience of experts in physics, surface engineering, microbiology, and chemical and process engineering. Establishing an appropriate communication platform enables information to be communicated quickly and accurately, in a way that is understandable to each party, and to respond effectively to problems as they arise.