The ambition of this project is to design a new integrated process for the production of second generation sugars (2GS) using ligninolytic enzymes (LE) and novel cellulases (CA). Basis for the generation of 2GS is the organosolv process which allows the fractionation of lignocellulosic material into cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin. This is carried out under relatively severe conditions and requires the use of energy, chemicals and specialized equipment. The resulting cellulose is hydrolyzed enzymatically to glucose. The innovative idea lies in the combined application of CA and LE in both steps of the 2GS production, leading to a reduced consumption of energy and chemicals and higher yields of fermentable sugars.

Integral technology for the production of high added value oligomers from natural flavonoids (INTECOL)

The enzymatic polymerization of flavonoids by laccases or peroxidases has been reported to be an efficient method to enhance physiological properties, such as antioxidant and anticarcinogenic activity, and a relatively longer circulation time in vivo. In this project, we have focused our attention on the oxidative oligomerization of two model flavonoids glycosides, rutin and esculin, by natural laccase from Trametes versicolor and horseradish peroxidase. The working plan of this project comprises the following phases: 1. Extraction, purification and characterization of rutin and esculin from residual biomass: leaves of Eucalyptus globulus and horse chestnut, respectively; 2. Optimization of the enzymatic reaction using the commercial substrates; 3. Selection of the enzyme and conditions that give the product with enhanced properties; iv) Design and operation of enzymatic membrane reactors, based on free and immobilized enzyme forming cross-linked aggregates; 4. Evaluation of the extracts as substrates of the enzymatic reaction and comparison with commercial substrates; 5. Economic and environmental analysis of the integral technology.

Watch the video about INTECOL Project

Programa RETOS, Modalidad 3. Proyectos Jóvenes Investigadores sin vinculación o con vinculación temporal.

About the project

The general aim of this project is the development of an innovative technology based on granular sludge for the treatment of fish-processing wastewater. For this two alternatives will be evaluated:

1. Granular reactor to remove simultaneously organic matter, nitrogen and phosphorous;
2. Granular partial nitritation/anammox system for nitrogen removal after an anaerobic digester.

The general aim of this project is to develop a pilot-scale system for the valorization of fish-canning industry wastewaters. These effluents have been chosen because the marine-product processing industry is one of the most important industrial sectors in Galicia, representing the 10.1% of total world production. In the developed system, the organic matter present in the wastewater will be used to obtain added-value products such as polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs), a kind of biopolymers known also as bioplastics, whose properties will be studied. At the same time this process is proposed as an alternative to the wastewater treatment systems, in operation in these industries, which present limited removal efficiencies, characterized by its lower environmental impact. The global system at pilot-scale will comprise one acidifying reactor, a second enrichment unit to select PHA-accumulating microorganisms and a third unit where the maximization of the PHA accumulation by means of the previously enriched mixed culture will be performed. The operation of this system will be completed with the integration of a nitrogen removal unit to guarantee the reduction of the eutrophication potential of the final produced effluent. The Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) will allow the determination of the reduction of this potential together with other, like the impact on the climate change.

 

LIFE SEACAN Project aims to demonstrate the potential of two innovative biofilm-based technologies (aerobic granular sludge and hybrid bioreactors) to decrease the impact of industrial activity on marine ecosystems. LIFE SEACAN prototype will be implemented in a representative fish cannery industry located in Galicia, where almost 80% of Spanish fish canning industries are gathered. The potential benefits over marine environment preservation will be quantified and evaluated in Rías Baixas, the most adequate environment for a reliable demonstration.

The main objective of this project is to reduce the pollution in marine ecosystems caused by fish canneries effluents due to their both organic matter and nitrogen load. Biofilm-based treatments will be applied in order to improve the cannery effluent quality and its impact will be assessed within the marine environment. This project is funded by the European Commission through LIFE14 programme with a total budget of 1.8 M€ and will be extended from September 2015 to February 2019. The project partners are: Cetaqua (leads) University of Santiago de Compostela and University of Vigo.

Website: www.life-seacan.eu

LIFE SIAMEC project aims to demonstrate the feasibility of using a novel Integrated System of anaerobic Methanogenic reactor and Membrane bioreactor (SIAM) for the removal of organic matter and nitrogen from wastewaters at ambient temperature while producing an effluent suitable for reuse and minimizing energy consumption and GHGs emissions.

The LIFE SIAMEC project will demonstrate the anaerobic treatment of municipal and industrial wastewater at ambient temperature in European climates in order to obtain a technology that consumes less energy, produces less biomass and has a lower integrated footprint for wastewater reclamation. This technology will overcome the main drawbacks associated with anaerobic wastewater treatment at low temperature – namely, greenhouse gas emissions and nitrogen removal – since the dissolved methane present in the effluent is used as a source of carbon for denitrification in both a membrane and a non-membrane based post-treatment. The project will demonstrate the technical feasibility of applying basic and advanced reclamation processes to the effluents of both prototypes for agricultural, industrial, environmental and urban water re-use while reducing associated costs and environmental impacts in comparison to the conventional wastewater treatment schemes currently applied.

web: life-siamec.eu

The particular call on Energy Efficiency – Market Uptake was focus on removing market barriers, in particular the lack of expertise and information on energy management, and energy-intensive industries were prioritised. In this sense, Waste Water Treatment Plants (WWTPs) are one of the most expensive public industries in terms of energy requirements accounting for more than 1% of consumption of electricity in Europe.

EU Water Framework Directive (WFD) 91/271/CEE made obligatory waste water treatment for cities and towns and, although most of the WFD objectives in relation to water protection have been achieved, most of these aging plants show unsustainable energy consumption and must be optimized and renovated accordingly. However, in Europe there is no legislation, norms or standards to be followed, and as consequence, a gigantic opportunity for reducing the public electric expense remains unregulated.

ENERWATER is a three-year activity that involves 9 partners (universities and companies) from 4 European countries (Germany, Italy, Spain and the United Kingdom). Its main objective is to develop, validate and disseminate an innovative standard methodology for continuously assessing, labelling and improving the overall energy performance of WWTPs. For that purpose a collaboration framework in the waste water treatment sector including research groups, SMEs, utilities, city councils, authorities and industry will be set up. ENERWATER will devote important efforts to ensure that the method is widely adopted. Subsequent objectives are to impulse dialogue towards the creation of a specific European legislation following the example of recently approved EU directives, to achieve EU energy reductions objectives for 2020, ensuring effluent water quality, environmental protection and compliance with the WFD. These actions should bring European Water Industry a competitive advantage in new products development and a faster access to markets by facilitating evidence of energy reduction, thereby fostering adoption on new technologies.

Website: - www.enerwater.eu/

Related news: - Futurenviro June2015

Partners: - Environmental Engineering and Bioprocesses (Biogroup) - University of Santiago de Compostela (Coordinator) - GI-1245.Cartografía de solos e paisaxes, físico-química, degradación e recuperación de solos y augas (Ambiosol) - GI-1252. Ecotoxicoloxía e Ecofisioloxía Vexetal (ECOTOX) - GI-1588. Quimica Física Ambiental (QF Medioambiental) - GI-1620. Modelización Ambiental (MA) - GI- 1456. Comportamento Social e Psicometría Aplicada (COSOYPA) - GI-1896. Grupo de Fisica non lineal (GFNL) - GI-2085 Laboratorio de Investigación e Desenvolvemento de Solucións Analíticas (LIDSA)

In the Novedar_Consolider project an inter-disciplinarian team composed of environmental engineers, microbiologists, toxicologists and economists shared the target of developing and implementing innovative technologies for treatment and reuse of wastewater from a holistic approach. Currently, the Novedar team is well-known due to their scientific and technological achievements among the Spanish water industry and Administration, and also between international scientists. The aim of the present network of excellence is to increase the value of the project outcomes by stressing the activities on the assessment of the more innovative processes. The acivity plan includes the up-scaling and validation of the new technologies, the cross validation of equivalent processes, the consolidaton of technology transfer, the discussion and dissemination of results at an international level and the organization of training activities on topics beyond the current state of the art (international summer schools, workshops on disruptive technologies and technical courses). Visits and meetings between researchers will allow establishing new and improved collaboration opportunities. A final conference targeted to water industry and Administration is proposed to further promote the corporate Novedar brand. The new initiatives proposed will enhance the impacts of the Novedar developments. The improved scientific quality of the collaborative research will increase the publication capacity and visibility of the partners at an international level. Dissemination to the industrial community during the courses and final conference will promote the technology transfer opportunities. The visibility of the networking results to stakeholders will be reinforced through the project website and by producing and distributing videos on the technological developments. Partners: - University of Santiago de Compostela (USC-Coordinator) - University of Cantabria (UC) - University of Barcelona (UB) - University of Cádiz (UCA) - University of Girona (UdG) - Centre CEIT of Gipuzkoa (CEIT) - University of Valladolid - University of Valencia (UV) - University of Murcia (UM) - Wageningen University & Research (WUR) - Technical University of Delft (TUD)

Discards are considered as an unacceptable waste of resources and a New Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) has been set up by the European Commission to mitigate and prohibit them: Regulation (EU) 1380/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 December 2013. The main objective of LIFE iSEAS is to demonstrate that a sustainable scenario (in terms of biological and socio-economic indicators) of the EU fisheries is possible through the enhancement of the real application on the fishing sector of existent knowledge and innovative solutions for discards reduction and management.

Holistic technology with low environmental footprint for the treatment of municipal wastewaters aiming at the minimization of Greenhouse Gases emissions, micro and nano pollutants (HOLSIA)

The main objective of this project is the development of an enzymatic reactor for the tertiary treatment of wastewaters aiming at the removal of micropollutants. The project integrates the complementary skills of researchers from three departments at the University of Santiago de Compostela.

FP7 Collaborative project (Topic: Eco-innovative demonstration projects (ENV.213.6.3-2) More information can be found at: http://www.manureecomine.ugent.be/

More information at livewaste

More information can be found at water2020 1. Spain - University of Santiago de Compostela (Coordinator) - University of Valladolid - University of Barcelona - University of Valencia - University of Cádiz - CEIT Research Centre, Environmental Engineering Department - Catalan Institute for Water Research (www.icra.cat) - University of Girona (UdG) - University of Cantabria - Autonomous University of Barcelona - Cetaqua 2. The Netherlands - TU Delft - Edmadi BV, Interim Management and Consultancy 3. Sweden - Lund University, Sweden - Uppsala University 4. Denmark - Department of Chemical and Biochemical Engineering, Technical University of Denmark 5. Belgium - Ghent University (UGent), Department of Biosystems Engineering - Ghent University. Laboratory of Microbial Ecology and Technology (LabMET) - Ghent Uinversity (BIOMATH) - Aquafin NV 6. United Kingdom - Cranfield University 7. Greece - Democritus University of Thrace - National Technical University of Athens - Technical University of Crete 8. Poland - Silesian University of Technology 9. Germany - Berlin Centre of Competence for Water gGmbH 10. Italy - Politecnico di Milano, DIIAR - University of Verona - National Research Council, Water Research Institute - Water Research Institute of the National Research Council - SME 11. Portugal - Universidade Nova de Lisboa - Águas do Algarve, S.A. 12. Turkey - Middle East Technical University - Istanbul Technical University 13. France - University of Lorraine 14. Czech Republic - AQUA PROCON 15. Romania - University Politehnica of Bucharest 16. Lithuania - Kaunas University of technology 17. Switzerland - Eawag

Two European Directives on ambient air quality assessment (96/62/EC of 27 September 1996 and 2008/50/EC of May 2008) obliges the Member States to deliver periodically precise information about the air quality and the related health within their territories to ensure that the European population is aware of it. For compliance to both Directives, States usually use monitoring stations, but these stations are only useful when macro-pollutants are assessed in agglomerations. For measurement of other pollutants included in the Directives there are technical difficulties and their analysis on air is too expensive. As a consequence there is a lack of representative data through Europe. In addition, data from automatic devices are accurate but too limited in number of pollutants and to describe spatio-temporal trends of pollutants. Due to the limitations of traditional methods, bio-monitoring is an adequate alternative to acquire data about the levels of pollutants that affect European citizens and makes it possible to evaluate the state of environmental parameters influenced by synergistic effects of d ifferent p ollutants. Among the available bio-monitors, terrestrial mosses are especially adequate for air quality assessment due to their high efficiency in loading both particulate and gaseous determinants of organic, inorganic, and radioactive pollutants. However, there are some problems that can arise when using mosses for the current moss-bag technique: the absence of well-suited moss species living in urban, extra-urban, and even indoor reference environments; the bags are prepared from mosses naturally grown in unpolluted areas, so its availability and the natural variability on moss elemental composition could vary depending on n atural a nd a nthropogenic causes. The solution to avoid these problems is to cultivate in the laboratory a moss clone to always have homogeneous material with the same initial concentrations to prepare the bags. In this way, a high degree of standardization would be reached and would allow a comparison of the exposed mosses in the same way by means of Enrichment Factor or Net Enrichment. An additional, but highly relevant problem that usually affects the use of biomonitors is the lack of standardized protocols and methodologies. The lack of such protocols hampers comparison of the results obtained in different studies, and sometimes limits the conclusions that can be reached. The MOSSCLONE approach would overcome all these issues, thereby improving data quality and reproducibility, and therefore usability of environmental data c ollected t hroughout Europe. The main MOSSCLONE objectives are: 1. Selection of moss species on the basis of their use as bio-monitor, their distribution and their physico-chemical characteristics. 2. Creating a pilot bioreactor for the cultivation and the selection of the most suitable species. 3. Characterization of the selected moss clone. 4. Scaling up moss clone cultivation. 5. Design and methodological standardization of the moss-bag technique. 6. Moss-bags validation versus current state-of-the-art methods for air pollution monitoring. 7. Perform an initial validation of its usefulness for the detection of atmospheric small scale pollution focus. Partners: University of Santiago de Compostela Ecotoxicology and Plant Ecophysiology research group (Department of Ecology, Faculty of Biology) Group of Environmental Engineering and Bioprocesses (Department of Chemical Engineering) University of Freiburg Department of Plant Biotechnology (Faculty of Biology) University of A Coruña group of Applied Analytical Chemistry (QANAP) AMRA Scarl AMRA Scarl is an entirely public T.E. Laboratories Ltd. Orion S.R.L. Biovía Environmental Consultant TecnoAmbiente S.L. Maderas Ornanda S.A. Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique The laboratory ’Géosciences Environnement Toulouse of the French CNRS The Université Paul Sabatier Toulouse

Calculation of the most competitive technologies and chain supplies for European tannin foams based on sustainability and technico-economic criteria. For this, Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) will be used for primary production of tannin-based insulating foams and end of life use as bioenergy (through syngas production) from the bark of important European Tree Species. "Networking and Integration of National Programmes in the Area of Wood Material Science and Engineering in the Forest-based Value Chains". Partners: University of Freiburg (Germany), VTT Technical Research Center of Finland, University Henry Poincaré Nancy (France), University of Ljubljana biotechnical Faculty (Slovenia), Fraunhofer Institute of Solar Energy (Germany), University of Santiago de Compostela, Nova-Institut GmbH (Germany), Ledoga Srl (Italy), Savanaho Oy (Finland).

Entidades Participantes: Centro Tecnológico del Agua, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Universidad de Santiago de Compostela, Universidad de Valencia More information at: life-aquaenvec

BAMMBO will provide innovative solutions to overcome existing bottle-necks associated with culturing marine organisms in order to sustainably produce high yields of value-added products for the pharmaceutical, cosmetic and industrial sectors. BAMMBO will screen and identify target marine organisms for potential as sustainable producers of high-added value molecules (HVAB's). Our project will apply analytical methods for the extraction, purification and enrichment of bioactive compounds. A life cycle analysis of the production pathways developed in the project will be undertaken to evaluate the sustainability of production applications.

Participantes: - Grupo Innovación, Cambio Estrutural e Desenvolvemento (ICEDE). (Coordinador) - Grupo Valoración Financeira Aplicada (VALFINAP) - Grupo Instituto de Dereito Industrial (IDIUS) - Grupo IUS PUBLICUM, de Dereito público, Economía, Política e Sociedade - Grupo Medicina Xenómica - Grupo Enxeñaría Ambiental e Bioprocesos (Enxeñaría Ambiental)