The system proposes to use straw rice ashes from the controlled burning to create silica active filters, this technology also reduces energy consumption in water treatment plants.
‘Life Libernitrate‘ kicks off with a budget of 2.5 million euros through the Life + programme of the Commission European.
Reduce the concentration of nitrates in the water cycle to, on the one hand, reduce pollution, and on the other, use a sustainable system. These are the aims of the project ‘Life Libernitrate‘, involving different Valencian and European entities, it has a funding of 2.5 million euros for the Life+ programme of the European Commission.
Nitrates are chemical salts derived from nitrogen, at low concentrations, are found naturally in water and soil. However, the widespread practice of excessive use of fertilizers with chemical fertilizers has led to the increase of pollution of underground waters and the release of harmful environmental processes and human health.
The system that ‘Life Libernitrate‘ intends to implant foresees the use of innovative technology that addresses, from a double point of view, the main environmental problems suffered by the county in which it is going to be implemented, the Ribera Alta. On the one hand, ground and surface water pollution by nitrates; and on the other hand, air pollution from the straw rice burning.
This technology proposes the use of straw rice ashes from a controlled combustion to create silica filters that reduce the concentration of nitrates in the water. At the same time, reduce the energy consumption in the treatment plants. A pilot test will be developed in the municipality of Alginet, where the prototype and manufacturing laboratories will be installed
In the consortium involves Valencian province government ‘Diputació de València’, Universitat Politècnica de València, Universitat de València, Aguas de València SA, University of Genova (Italy), Unió de Llauradors i Ramaders and Stichting Incubator (Holland) as beneficiaries, in addition to the County Gobernment ‘Consorci de la Ribera’, as coordinating body.
The project officially started on October 1st and will last for three years. The kick off meeting took place on November 21st in Algemesí, where the parties analyzed different aspects of the project management and coordination, and presented different actions that must be developed throughout the project, in particular those activities, indicators and expected results for the first semester of 2018.
‘Life Libernitrate‘ is part of the European Water Framework Directive and the European Union‘s 20/20/20 targets for climate and energy measures, which aim to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 20%, increase the proportion of Renewable energies up to 20% and reduce energy consumption by 20% by the year 2020.