PEBCAT Photo-Electro-Bio-Catalytic Treatment of Drinking Water Supplies
Country: EU Projects
Start Date:   31/1/2001         Duration: 36 months         Project Type: RTD
Contract Number: EVK1-CT-2000-00069
Organisation Type:  EC Project
Topics: 
Water and sanitation-->Water supply
Project objectives: 
The main objective of this proposal is to develop a photo-electro-bio-catalytic (PEBCAT) reactor for the treatment of drinking water supplies contaminated 
with nitrates, persistent organic pollutants and chlorine resistant microorganisms. The development of the PEBCAT reactor will follow two main approaches 
in parallel. 1. The development of photo-electrochemical cell utilising nano-crystalline TiO2 for the photocatalytic oxidation of persistent organic 
pollutants and killing of microorganisms, and 2. The development of an electro-bio-catalytic reactor (EBCAT) based on immobilised denitrifying bacteria 
for the removal of nitrates from water. The two reactors will then be combined into one photo-electro-bio-catalytic reactor (PEBCAT) for the simultaneous 
treatment of water supplies contaminated with nitrates, persistent organic pollutants such as pesticides, and chlorine resistant microorganisms. The 
project, which began in February 2001, is to run for a total of 36 months.
Project Summary: 
This proposal aims to develop a novel photo-electro-bio-catalytic (PEBCAT) reactor  for the treatment of groundwater contaminated with nitrates, persistent 
organic  pollutants, and  chlorine resistant micro-organisms. The proposed tandem reactor  electrochemically links the photocatalytic destruction of organic 
pollutants and  micro-organisms, to the electro-biocatalytic denitrification of water. A major  proportion of the EC's drinking water is derived from groundwater 
sources and this  project can make a substantial contribution to alleviating the  pressures on our  limited resources by allowing drinking water abstraction 
from contaminated  sources. The consortium includes experts from photoelectrochemistry,  biotechnology, sensor  technology, engineering and chemical 
engineering. The  principal objective is to develop a pilot scale PEBCAT Reactor capable of treating  real water at an affordable cost.
Achieved Objectives: 
not public available
Product Descriptions: 
not public available
Additional Information:
Project Resources:
Weblink:
http://www.engj.ulst.ac.uk/nibec/photocatalysis/pebcat.htm
Funding Programme(s): 
EC Framework Programme 5
Link to Organisations:
Submitted by: EUGRIS Team Prof Paul Bardos  Who does what?  03/07/2003 17:48:00
Updated by: EUGRIS Team Professor Paul Bardos  Who does what?  03/10/2006 14:13:00