SolarClean

In many parts of the world there is a scarcity of clean water and sanitation which impacts on food security and sustainability, leading to malnutrition/hunger, disease outbreaks and early deaths. Water can be contaminated with organic pathogens, disinfectant residues and fresh/agricultural produce contamination. The goal of SolarClean is to develop a solar-driven, 'green', and cost-efficient approach to eliminate substances of emerging concern (SECs) from irrigation water and wastewater streams. The systems will operate without additional chemicals by using renewable solar energy and waste resources. The proposed technology overcomes the limitations of traditional approaches, which impose significant requirements in terms of energy, chemicals, infrastructure, capital and engineering expertise, which prevent their operation in many areas of the world.

Preliminary data are very positive and suggest that SolarClean is ‘green’ and simple, energy and cost-efficient and renewable. With no need for chemicals, it can purify/disinfect water for all, anywhere in the world.

The SolarClean project is being led/co-led by UCD School of Chemistry Assistant Professor Dr Demetra Achilleos and UCD SPHPSS Professor Séamus Fanning, in collaboration with Professor Pieter Gouws (Stellenbosch University, South Africa), Mr Nick Andrews (UCD SPHPSS PhD candidate and Dawn Farm Foods, Ireland) and Mr Gerrit Visser (Astral Foods, South Africa). It is being funded by the Irish Aid Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Challenge which supports teams to develop solutions to address UN SDGs to achieve a better and more sustainable future for all.