Innovative Solutions in pharmaceutical wastewater: A Demonstration Project in Tunisia
The National School of Engineers of Gabes (ENIG) is partnering with Opalia, Eden, University of Angers (UA) and all iMERMAID consortium members to demonstrate a remediation solution to the critical environmental problem related to the presence of pharmaceutical contaminants in wastewater. Beyond that we are providing a technical solution for characterizing, treating and recycling used membranes modules.
The pharmaceutical industries generate enormous volumes of wastewater, characterized by a wide range of chemical components, including active pharmaceutical ingredients and their by-products. Such compounds promote antimicrobial resistance (AMR), ecosystem disruption and health risks. The wide range of chemicals presents a challenge for developing effective treatment strategies. The project involves a comprehensive assessment of both conventional Activated Sludge Process (ASP) and a novel microfluidic system as tertiary treatment option for removing refractory contaminants. This will be implemented in use case 2 for Opalia’s wastewater.
The microfluidic system is sensitive to suspended matter in the effluent. Treated End-of-Life membrane modules will be used for pre-filtration. Simultaneously, UA developed electrochemical sensors will be used to monitor the degradation of these contaminants throughout the treatment process.
They will provide a dedicated pilot unit allowing accomplishing cleaning and treating fouled modules to be used in various applications according to their performances, thus extending their life cycle. The best design and operating conditions for the new separation application will be defined. The scaling up of the system from lab/pilot scale to full industrial application will be performed.
They invite stakeholders such as pharmaceutical industries, industries implementing membrane separation process (RO, NF …), environmental agencies and research institutions to participate in this endeavor, promoting collaboration to duplicate and conceive innovative sustainable treatment and recycling solutions developed with iMERMAID.
