The AquaSPICE project is making significant strides in fostering circular water use within industries, as highlighted in a new video showcasing their work in the industrial zone of Antwerp. Coordinated by VITO, the project focuses on combining process and digital innovation to achieve water-smart strategies for surface water management and water reuse.
The video features insights from key partners, including Joaquim Wauman (Process Manager at BASF Antwerpen), who emphasizes the critical role of sustainable water management for chemical production and their investigation into water reuse technologies through the AquaSPICE feasibility study.
Researchers from Ugent, led by Ivaylo Hitsov, present the innovative IMPROVED container pilots, demonstrating the effectiveness of various water treatment technologies, including UF-RO and a novel CCRO process that significantly reduces membrane fouling. The project also highlights the development and implementation of an online platform for real-time monitoring, optimization, and automated alerts for the pilot systems, as explained by Ivaylo Hitsov and PhD students Valeriy and Evgeniy Matveev.
Janelcy Alferes (R&D researcher/Project Leader at VITO) concludes the video, underscoring the importance of an integrated approach, leveraging both advanced water treatment technologies and digitalization, to address the challenges of declining freshwater resources. The AquaSPICE project demonstrates the immense potential of data-driven solutions for informed decision-making in industrial water management. Watch the full video at this link.
