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 has participated in the Seventh International Conference -RAD 2019
LIFE ALCHEMIA was present at the Seventh International Conference on Radiation in Various Fields of Research (RAD 2019), held the last week in Herceg Novi, Montenegro. Our partner from Tallinn...
LIFE ALCHEMIA has participated in the NSFS Conference 2019
LIFE ALCHEMIA has participated in the Nordic Society for Radiation Protection (NSFS 2019) held the last week in Espoo near Helsinki (Finland). The theme of the Conference was “Next Level in...
Act of reception of works
Last Tuesday 4, took place the act of reception of the works of the pilot plants installed in the province of Almeria (Alboloduy, Tahal and Benizalón). In this way, it was verified or confirmed that...
Visit to the pilot plants in the province of Almería with the NEEMO-IDOM monitor
As part of the third coordination and second monitoring meeting of the LIFE ALCHEMIA project, the following day (on Thursday 23) all project partners and the NEEMO-IDOM monitor visited the pilot...
3rd coordination meeting of the LIFE ALCHEMIA project in Almería (Spain)
Last week (on Wednesday 22), the third coordination and second monitoring meeting of the LIFE ALCHEMIA project was held at the CIESOL facilities in Almería. All the project partners and the...
First sampling in the pilot plants of Almería (Spain)
Last Friday, the first sampling was carried out in each of the pilot plants installed in Alboloduy, Benizalón and Tahal (Almería). Physical-chemical parameters will be analyzed, such as iron,...
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
Partners
Project architects
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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