Halophyte Zeolite Wetlands (HZW)

Treatment and reuse of agro-industrial wastewaters for irrigation activities in drought prone regions

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This technology generates new water resources for irrigation from the treatment of agro-industrial wastewaters through the usage of a holistic nature-sourced technology which combines a nanocomposite clarification-sedimentation system for the TSS removal, aerated bio-reactors for the COD and nutrient removal, and halophyte-zeolite wetlands for the sodium removal.

TRL 6

Technology demonstrated in relevant environment.
Representative model or prototype system, which is well beyond that of TRL 5, is tested in a relevant environment. Represents a major step up in a technology’s demonstrated readiness. Examples include testing a prototype in a high-fidelity laboratory environment or in a simulated operational environment.

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Testing plan completed

The testing plan and the BRIGAID’s Testing Innovation Framework (TIF) has been rightly applied and finished. The TRL of the innovation has been effectively reached.

The pre-treatment modules (nanocomposite, and aerated bioreactors) already work and have been demonstrated under operational conditions in a winery industry (TRL 7). The HZW module for SAR reduction has been positively tested under in a simulated operational environment. High rates of effectiveness have been achieved using the Zeolite-Sesuvium combination (reduction of Na+ from 90-520 in dairy inflows, to 30-120 in treated outflows).

How does it work?

HZW is a green module integrated by natural ion-exchange resins (zeolites) and halophytes in an artificial wetland which is able to reduce the Sodium Adsorption Ratio (SAR) using exchange reactions and plant up take. HZW is part of a 3-stage modular system for the treatment of dairy farm wasterwaters which consists of a (patented) clay-polymer nanocomposite system for reducing TSS, a set of aerated cells for COD and nutrient removal (by up to 95%), and the HZW for the sodium removal.

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