Development and verification at lab and pilot-scale of novel, hybrid water and wastewater treatment technologies based on membrane filtration, biological treatment and advanced oxidation. The focus is on process design and optimization from TRL 3 (proof of concept validation) to TRL 6 (demonstration in relevant environment), using commercially available porous organic and inorganic membranes (ultrafiltration, nanofiltration, reverse osmosis, forward osmosis), semiconductors (TiO₂, ZnO as photocatalysts), and carbon materials (fibers, felts, powdered and granular activated carbon). Synthesis and characterization of functionalized carbon adsorbents (e.g., iron- and titania-impregnated carbon electrodes for novel photo-electro-catalytic applications) and membranes with modified surface properties (hydrophobicity, zeta-potential) in collaboration with other CPERI/CPERTH laboratories. 

Competences

• Modern laboratory equipment for fluids analysis/characterization (water, industrial/municipal/ other wastewater, geothermal fluids, etc.)
• Special laboratory pilot and semi-industrial pilot units for desalination (Reverse Osmosis-RO, Membrane Distillation-MD), industrial separations (Ultrafiltration-UF, Nanofiltration-NF), and treatment of wastewater (aerobic and anaerobic membrane bioreactors-MBRs, advanced systems of photocatalysis, electrochemical oxidation, hybrids physical separation processes).
• High computing power capabilities for numerical simulations (CFD, other; network of 4 servers with double processors each; parallel computing), development of advanced software for process simulations and for related transfer phenomena simulations (momentum, mass, heat).
• NRRE/CPERI//CERTH has developed an advanced software for detailed simulation of the operation of spiral wound NF/RO membranes (Spiral-Wound-Membrane, SWM module).