Circular economy applied to nitrate removal: hydrogen generation and waste recovery in drinking water

Introduction

LIFE ELEKTRA addresses the problem of nitrate pollution in surface and groundwater bodies that affects many member states. Nitrate excess in water is detrimental to both human health and ecosystems, making their removal a priority. The project focuses on the validation of electrochemical denitrification technology applied to the treatment of streams with high nitrate concentrations, transforming nitrates to nitrogen gas that is emitted into the atmosphere without impacting the environment.

Energy Production

Concurrently, a high purity hydrogen stream is produced which will be used together with photovoltaic energy to power the process, contributing to the Green Deal and the new REPowerEU Plan.

Objectives

LIFE ELEKTRA contributes to the specific objectives of the “Circular Economy and Quality of Life” sub-programme, with the challenge of improving “Water quality and quantity” by implementing innovative technologies for the direct removal of pollutants in water in compliance with the Water Framework Directive and the Nitrates Directive. Additionally, the project aims at the recovery of waste with a high content of ions obtained in the process.

Case Studies

The project will address three case studies, located in:

1. Spain (Valencia)
2. Canary Islands
3. Republic of Malta

Each case study has different characteristics but faces the same challenge of nitrate pollution. A mobile pilot plant will be designed and built incorporating a renewable energy hybridisation system to cover the needs of the process. In this way, the high transferability of the proposed solutions will be demonstrated, allowing the elimination of nitrates in a sustainable and energy-efficient way.

Communication Strategy

The project will include a communication, dissemination, and results transfer strategy to ensure the deployment of integrated, innovative, sustainable, and simple electrochemical denitrification systems in Europe and beyond. This aims at protecting water quality and increasing the share of energy from renewable sources in the EU's gross final energy consumption by 2030.