Integrated technology for advanced removal of heavy metals and

arsenic from complex matrices using adsorbent nanomaterials

OxyAds

PN-III-P2-2.1-PTE-2021-0309

(81PTE/2022)

At present, there are no integrated, efficient, operational and investment-integrated industrial technologies for the removal of As from water (found in combination with heavy metals, nitrogen compounds and the natural organic water matrix), without the generation of toxic by-products and residues, neither at national nor at international level.

Project goal

The project goal is the transfer and development of a technology for the depollution of water containing heavy metal and arsenic, found in a complex polluting matrix, to an economic agent with important activity in the development, implementation of technologies and production of water treatment systems (ICPE Bistrița), in order to increase its economic competitiveness, as well as the implementation of the technology at an economic operator with important activity in the treatment and distribution of drinking water (Aquatim S.A.).

Contracting authority: Executive Unit for Financing Higher Education, Research, Development and Innovation (UEFISCDI)

Implementation period: 21/06/2022-20/06/2024

Budget: 273.836 lei

Project responsible: Dr. Habil. Radu Claudiu Fierăscu

  • Partners
  • General objective
  • Specific objectives
  • Phase I
  • Phase II
  • Phase III
  • Results dissemination
Partners

Coordinator: S.C. I.C.P.E. Bistrița S.A., Bistriţa-Năsăud, România

Project director: Dr. ing. Sorin Claudiu Ulinici

Partner 2: University of Bucharest

Project responsible: Lecturer Dr. Chem. Sorin Marius Avramescu

Partner 3: AQUATIM S.A.

Project responsible: Dr. Ilie Vlaicu

General objective


The objective of the project is the transfer and development of a technology for water treatment, containing heavy metal and arsenic in a complex polluting matrix, to an economic agent with important activity in the development, implementation of technologies and production of water treatment systems (ICPE Bistrița), in order to increase its economic competitiveness, as well as the implementation of the technology at an economic operator with important activity in the treatment and distribution of drinking water (Aquatim S.A.).

Specific objectives
  • Documenting the industrial scale transfer of validated laboratory technology and identifying the possibilities for optimizing the proposed technology (functional, operational and energy) by aligning with the latest scientific discoveries in the field, to ensure the success of the transfer;
  • Transfer and optimization in the industrial environment of the proposed technology;
  • Validation of technology efficiency by independent entities;
  • Demonstrating the efficiency of the technology implemented in the industrial environment.
Phase I

Preliminary activities for the validation of technology at industrial level.

Deployment period: 21.06.2022-31.12.2022

ICECHIM activities:

  • Study and analysis of the possibilities of optimizing the synthesis process in order to obtain adsorbent nanomaterials with controlled properties on an industrial scale;
  • Synthesis and characterization of adsorbent materials for technology;
  • Dissemination of results.
Phase II

Validation in the industrial environment of the proposed technology.

Deployment period: 01.01.2023-31.12.2023

ICECHIM activities:

  • Synthesis and characterization of adsorbent materials for technology;
  • Synthesis of adsorbent nanomaterials for the functional model;
  • Analytical characterization of nanoadsorbents before and after treatment;
  • Validation of technology by accredited laboratories;
  • Protection of intellectual property rights;
  • Dissemination of results.
Phase III

Demonstrating the efficiency of technology in the industrial environment.

Deployment period: 01.01.2024-20.05.2024

ICECHIM activities:

  • Implementation of adsorbent nanomaterials in the pilot plant. Pre- and post-treatment characterization of adsorbent nanomaterials;
  • Elaboration of the final technical specification for the integrated technology demonstrated at industrial level;
  • Dissemination of results.
Results dissemination

ISI papers published

  1. Fierascu, R.C.; Fierascu, I.; Matei (Brazdis), R.I.; Manaila-Maximean, D. Natural and Natural-Based Polymers: Recent Developments in Management of Emerging Pollutants. Polymers 2023, 15, 2063. https://doi.org/10.3390/polym15092063
  2. Matei, R.I.; Raditoiu, V.; Fierascu, I.; Baroi, A.M.; Fistos, T.; Ulinici, S.C.; Avramescu, S.M.; Radu, D.; Fierascu, R.C. Procedure for Large-Scale Production of Apatite-Based Adsorbent Material for Arsenic Removal. Proceedings 2023, 90, 14. https://doi.org/10.3390/proceedings2023090014
  3. Matei, R.I.; Baroi, A.M.; Fistos, T.; Fierascu, I.; Grapin, M.; Raditoiu, V.; Raduly, F.M.; Nicolae, C.A.; Fierascu, R.C. Clam Shell-Derived Hydroxyapatite: A Green Approach for the Photocatalytic Degradation of a Model Pollutant from the Textile Industry. Materials 2024, 17, 2492. https://doi.org/10.3390/ma17112492
  4. Florentina Monica Raduly, Valentin Raditoiu, Alina Raditoiu, Maria Grapin, Radu Claudiu Fierascu, Iuliana Raut, Mariana Constantin, Functionalized Palygorskite as delivery platforms for bioactive asymmetric beta-diketone dyes, Crystals, 2024 (crystals-3090778)
  5. Roxana Ioana Matei (Brazdis), Sorin-Marius Avramescu, Anda Maria Baroi, Toma Fistos, Irina Fierascu, Florentina Monica Raduly, Radu Claudiu Fierascu, Removal of phenol and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs from water matrices using doped hydroxyapatite, UPB Scientific Bulletin, Series B: Chemistry and Materials Science, 2024


Scientific meetings

  1. The International Symposium “priorities of chemistry for a sustainable development” PRIOCHEM – XVIII-th Edition. October 26-28, 2022, Roxana Ioana Matei (Brazdis), Sorin Marius Avramescu, Sorin Claudiu Ulinici, Ilie Vlaicu, Grigore Vlad, Irina Fierascu, Anda Maria Baroi, Toma Fistos, Radu Claudiu Fierascu, Development of adsorbent nanomaterials – from laboratory technology to industrial scale demonstrator – OxyAds project
  2. 22nd Romanian International Conference on Chemistry and Chemical Engineering September 7-9, 2022, Sinaia, ROMANIA, Wastewater depollution studies using hydroxyapatite-based adsorbents, Roxana Ioana Matei (Brazdis), Sorin Marius Avramescu, Irina Fierascu, Toma Fistos, Anda Maria Baroi, Radu Claudiu Fierascu
  3. International Exhibition of Inventions and Innovations “TRAIAN VUIA – 2022 Timisoara – Integrated technology for the advanced removal of heavy metals and arsenic from complex matrices using adsorbent nanomaterials (OxyAds) Radu Claudiu Fierascu, Sorin Claudiu Ulinici, Sorin Marius Avramescu, Ilie Vlaicu, Roxana Ioana Matei (Brazdis), Irina Fierascu (Silver medal)
  4. Applications of Chemistry in Nanosciences and Biomaterials Engineering, NanoBioMat 2022 – Winter Edition, Application of Phosphatic Nanomaterials on Polluted Water Decontamination – Case Study. Roxana Ioana Matei (Brazdis), Sorin-Marius Avramescu, Irina Fierascu, Anda Maria Baroi, Toma Fistos, Radu Claudiu Fierascu
  5. International Scientific Symposium CURRENT TRENDS IN NATURAL SCIENCES 2023, Phosphatic nanobiomaterials with metaloxide heterojunctions – photocatalysts for wastewater treatment, Roxana Ioana Matei (Brazdis), Maria Grapin, Valentin Raditoiu, Anda Maria Baroi, Toma Fistos, Ioana Silvia Hosu, Irina Fierascu, Radu Claudiu Fierascu
  6. Exploratory Workshop NeXT-Chem: “Innovative Cross-Sectoral Technologies” May 22-23, 2023, ROMANIA, Synthesis and characterization of metal-oxide photocatalysts with heterojunctions for wastewater treatment, Maria Grapin, Roxana Ioana Matei (Brazdis), Valentin Raditoiu, Monica Florentina Raduly, Alina Raditoiu, Anda Maria Baroi, Toma Fistos, Ioana Silvia Hosu, Irina Fierascu, Radu Claudiu Fierascu
  7. Virtual International Scientific Conference on “Applications of Chemistry in Nanosciences and Biomaterials Engineering” NanoBioMat 2023 – Summer Edition, 28-30 June 2023, The Use of Hydroxyapatite and its Derivatives in the Depollution of Wastewaters. Roxana Ioana Matei (Brazdis), Maria Grapin, Valentin Raditoiu, Irina Fierascu, Anda Maria Baroi, Toma Fistos, Alina Raditoiu, Florentina Monica Raduly, Radu Claudiu Fierascu
  8. Procedure for large-scale production of apatite based adsorbent material for arsenic removal, Roxana Ioana Matei, Valentin Raditoiu, Irina Fierascu, Anda Maria Baroi, Toma Fistos, Sorin Claudiu Ulinici, Sorin Marius Avramescu, Dorian Radu, Radu Claudiu Fierascu, “Priorities of Chemistry for a Sustainable Development” PRIOCHEM XIXth Edition, 11-13 Octombrie 2023, Bucuresti
  9. Roxana Ioana MATEI (BRAZDIS), Anda Maria BAROI, Toma FISTOS, Lia Mara DITU, Irina FIERASCU, Cristian-Andi NICOLAE, Monica Florentina RADULY, Maria GRAPIN, Valentin RADITOIU, Radu Claudiu FIERASCU, HOW CAN NANOMATERIALS AND NANOTECHNOLOGY ADVANCEMENTS CAN FIND APPLICATOINS IN OUR VERYDAY LIFE, International Scientific Symposium, CURRENT TRENDS IN NATURAL SCIENCES, 16 – 18 May 2024, National University of Science and Technology POLITEHNICA Bucharest, Pitesti University Centre, Romania
  10. RADU CLAUDIU FIERASCU, DEVELOPMENT OF APATITIC NANOMATERIALS FOR INCREASING THE QUALITY OF LIFE, International Conference on Innovative Research, EUROINVENT, Iași, 6-7 June 2024. Key-note lecture
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Book chapter

  1. Brazdis, Roxana-Ioana; Fierascu, Radu Claudiu; Avramescu, Sorin-Marius; Fierascu, Irina. Nanomaterials for the removal of organic pollutants from agrofood wastewaters. In: Advanced Technologies in Wastewater Treatment: Food Processing Industry, Edited by: Angelo Basile, Alfredo Cassano and Carmela Conidi; Pages 355 – 381, 2023; ISBN 978-032388510-2, 978-032390698-2, DOI 10.1016/B978-0-323-88510-2.00008-7, Elsevier

Workshop

  1. Removal of heavy metals and arsenic from water matrices using adsorbent nanomaterials, within The lnternational Symposium “Priorities of Chemistry for a Sustainable Development” PRIOCHEM XIXth Edition, 11-13 October 2023, Bucharest, over 20 participants, Book of Abstracts (pag 65), ISSN 2601 – 419X and ISSN-L 2601 – 4181 – English ed., CD-ROM, other Electronic Supports.

Inventics exhibitions

  1. INNOVERSE Innovation & Invention Expo 28-29 August 2023, Georgia, Gwinnett, GA, USA – Integrated technology for advanced removal of heavy metals and arsenic from complex matrices using adsorbent nanomaterials, PN-III-P2-2.1-PTE-2021-0309 – Radu Claudiu Fierascu, Sorin Claudiu Ulinici, Sorin Marius Avramescu, Ilie Vlaicu, Roxana Ioana Matei (Brazdis), Irina Fierascu – Certificate of Achievement & Gold Medal – din partea salonului