VentilAQUA’s R&D tradition
in wastewater treatment
VentilAQUA was born in 1997 to create innovative wastewater treatment solutions. These solutions were always supported by strong investments in R&D in wastewater, developed side by side with both local and international research partners. Our initial effort was very focused on the local and traditional Portuguese industries, such as Wood and Cork.
Considering the Wood sector, VentilAQUA’s first approach to the Wood sector was endured by innovative wastewater technologies that promoted a higher degree of water reuse, improving work conditions within the client’s premises. This was a rather remarkable approach given the very low footprint these compact solutions presented.
Regarding the Cork sector, a rather typical Portuguese industry, VentiAQUA left its mark thanks to Advanced Oxidation Processes (AOP), which develop a modified heterogeneous Fenton process that guarantees synergies between the affluent produced and AOP. This solution has been proofing to be very cost-effective.
Besides, the beginning of the millennium, particularly the year 2001, was marked by the entrance of AOP, which is now one of VentilAQUA’s core technologies. This electrochemical oxidation process was rather revolutionary, developing and commissioning the first electro-coagulation installation on the chemical industry.
Along its entire path, VentilAQUA has always created and nurtured valuable relationships and partnerships with R&D entities and industrial partners (such as, clients and suppliers), which together put great effort into continuous development and investment. Ever since its very beginning, VentilAQUA has been always grating 15% of its annual turnover to R&D in wastewater treatment.
Our R&D Projects
R&D is more than just a business area. It is deeply embedded in our core and is part of our tradition. See for yourself in which innovative wastewater treatment projects VentilAQUA has been investing in.
Demo@Polyfenton
Catalytic polymer support systems demonstrator for the Fenton process
01-02-2017
30-04-2019
OBJECTIVES, ACTIVITIES AND EXPECTED RESULTS
The Polyfenton R&D project achieves the same results as the homogeneous Fenton but goes beyond it by mitigating the latter’s limitations. The Polyfenton process aims at achieving zero leachings and working at natural pH. This implies fewer chemical usage, lower sludge, and lower operating costs. The application of this process is currently being tested in several areas, from textile industries to the leaching one. As expected, it has been presenting promising results.
PROTEUS - Products and technologies for the Eucalyptus globulus sector
Strengthen research, technological development and innovation
01-10-2018
30-09-2019
OBJECTIVES, ACTIVITIES AND EXPECTED RESULTS
The objective of the PROTEUS project is to develop new processes and technologies that guarantee the ecolabel certification for the Paper & Pulp industry concerning their AOX emissions. The use of an electrochemical process (electro-coagulation) in the affluent displayed great potential in the AOX removal, with efficiencies above 80%, and extreme reductions in operating costs.
Waterplasma
Scale-up an advanced oxidation process (AOP) based on the use OAUDG plasma technology, given the promising results obtained at laboratory scale for the removal of recalcitrant xenobiotic compoundsoften present in industrial wastewaters.
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OBJECTIVES, ACTIVITIES AND EXPECTED RESULTS
The advantages of using Waterplasma for the degradation of recalcitrant compounds from wastewaters under a continuous flow regime has been demonstrated with representative priority compounds (atrazine, bisphenol A) and emerging contaminants like antibiotics (Diclofenac).
Steri+ O3 Virus
Virus Inactivation in Ozone Aqueous Environment
15-02-2016
14-02-2017
OBJECTIVES, ACTIVITIES AND EXPECTED RESULTS
In the study concerning the Steri+ O3 Virus, the virucidal effect of ozone was tested on two highly water-borne and environmentally resistant viruses: human adenovirus 5 (HAdV5) and murine norovirus 1 (MNV-1). Individual suspensions of these viruses in water were submitted to batch treatment with ozone generated by the STERI + O3 lab system by VentilAQUA. For both viruses, the viral infectivity was reduced during the initial minutes of the treatment, achieving 4 log10 (99.99%) reduction of infectious virus titer.
OXI-e3D
Electrochemical adsorption-oxidation process in the removal of drugs and metabolites from wastewater treatment
01-07-2019
30-06-2022
OBJECTIVES, ACTIVITIES AND EXPECTED RESULTS
There are evidences that conventional WWTPs do not efficiently remove most of these compounds, therefore an effective and sustainable tertiary treatment is needed. The project Oxi-e3D will allow to develop an efficient, cost-effective and sustainable solution to be used in the removal of pharmaceutical products from wastewaters, also contributing to a better theoretical and practical knowledge of the 3D electrochemical process as a solution for wastewater treatment.
SimbioSALT
Desenvolvimento de um processo/tecnologia que permita tratar/purificar salmouras.
01-10-2020
30-06-2023
OBJECTIVES, ACTIVITIES AND EXPECTED RESULTS
The ultimate goal of SimbioSalt is to develop a process/technology that allows treating/purifying brines, eliminating an organic matter they contain, namely fats and proteins, and disinfecting them as well. It is intended that this treatment generates saline by-products that will be used without restrictions in the studied industries, thus the project is based on the principles of eco-innovation and circular economy.