Project Information

Research Goal

RADIOFREPOLIS intends to investigate the occurrence and transformation of target Pharmaceutical and Personal Care Products by applying an innovative and energy-efficient Radio Frequency Sludge Pretreatment followed by anaerobic digestion as the first time in the literature for moving towards non-toxic environment.

Why RADIOFREPOLIS is important now?

Sludge management in wastewater treatment plants is still one of the most pressing issues due to dramatic increases in sludge production, high sludge disposal costs (more than 50% of the total operating cost) and increasing stringent regulatory restraints. Agricultural use of stabilized municipal wastewater sludge (biosolids) is reported as the most sustainable, cheapest and beneficial disposal option. Prior to sludge recycling to soil, treatment sludge must be stabilized to reduce risks and to convince the public on its benefits and safety. As an energy-efficient process, anaerobic digestion is a common practice for sludge stabilization. Despite technological advancements in anaerobic digestion process (e.g. pretreatment) prior to anaerobic digestion), presence of “emerging micropollutants” such as Pharmaceutical and Personal Care Products (PPCPs) is a potential human and environmental health threats against the beneficial reuse of biosolids. These pollutants can be accumulated in sludge, soil, groundwater, drinking water system, animal and human body. Therefore, Europe needs to take action to safeguard the Union's citizens from environment-related pressures and risks to health and well-being and to protect, conserve and enhance the Union’s natural capital within objectives of the EU 7th Environment Action Programme.