PROF. AVNER ADIN•Hebrew University of Jerusalem•Adin Holdings “Water Solutions”
How Science of Today meets City of Tomorrow’s water needs
Seville Palace Hotel, México D.F., México, 17th to 19th Sep, 2014
Outline Introduction: The “City of Tomorrow” Objectives and methodology Identifying city water management components Understanding the new water cycle Deriving water quality control challenges Science and technology roles, examples Conclusions
World population growthThe world population grows and requires more and more resources -
arable land, water, energy, and biological resources
Expected to reach a peak of growth. Than declines due to economic, health, land exhaustion and environmental reasons.
About 3.5 billion people across
the globe already live in
cities; the number is
expected to grow up to 6.5
billion people by 2050
Declaration: There is enough water on the surface of the Earth for many generations to come. However, . . .
Inadequate water quality prevents using its full potential
Objectives and methodology
Objective: to indicate scientific research needs in meeting tomorrow’s city water demands.
The methodology is composed of two major steps: (I)various water system functions and roles are analyzed and listed in four categories: health, aesthetics, recycling and water-energy components; and (II)the various functions are incorporated into one water cycle, a holistic analysis is being made, from which scientific research challenges are derived.
FUTURE CITY
The city is the futureIt is evident that more and more people live in cities
Thus optimizing the cities infrastructure prepares the world for coping with future population growth
Strategic plan: Focusing on urban water management and urban agriculture, using advanced technologies and a strong knowledge center
AH Concepts for Future City
1. Future City - A healthy community:a. Water filtration and disinfection complying with current and
future standardsb. Water quality monitoring, including innovative real time
devices for Water Security and Safetyc. Treatment and quality control of domestic and non-domestic
wastewaterd. Fire hydrant systems
2. Future City - A beautiful and fun community:a. Effective water management for Gardening and parksb. Surface water quality controlc. Fountains and recreational facilities
AH Concepts for Future City (cont.)
3. Future City - A water recycling community:a. Planning and design of grey water and wastewater collection
and reuse systemsb. All grey water and wastewater shall be reused within the
Future City areac. Sludge free wastewater treatment where possible
4. Future City - A water and energy conserving community:a. Supply management and leakage control, with continuous
data collection (and automatic billing)b. Public education !c. Minimizing energy usage in water and wastewater facilities
Urban agriculture
Urban agriculture contributes to food security and food safety in two ways: It increases the amount of food
available to people living in cities
It allows fresh vegetables and fruits and meat products to be made available to urban consumers
Revolutionary Water Cycle - Israel
NATURE
Water quality challenges in RWC
NATURE
Corrosio
n, minerals a
bsense
Crypto, vi
rus, algae
NPs
Microorganics, metals
Boron, pharma
Water securit
y
)2014( New water production-IsraelOperating
Starting
Planning
Shomrat 100? MCM
Hadera 127 (200) MCM
Palmakhim 90 MCM
Ashdod100 MCM
Sorek 150 MCM
Ashkelon 120 MCM
ReuseDesal.
Reversing the flow
MixingwaterQualities
-Surface-Ground-Stormwater-Desalinated-Recycled
Recharge-Recovery SchemeSAT=Soil-Aquifer Treatment
Slow sand filtration
Mechanisms
Biological: enhanced bio-activity on grains surfaces. “Schmutzdecke”. Physical: surface straining, interstitial straining, settling, diffusion.Physicochemical: Adsorption, DLVO-van der Waals interactions.Surface catalyzed degradation
•Electroflocculation-constructed wetland
hybrid•Aerobic-anaerobic
compact system
•On-site systems,decentralized
Principle flow diagram for a 20,000 m3/day IMS system – encased UF
FILTERED
WATERTANK
INTERIM
TANK
PRODUCT TANK
SHAFDANWASTEWATER
UF SYSTEM11 UNITS x 45 MODULES
total filter area – 24,750 m2
RO SYSTEM2 UNITS x 10,000 m3/day
st I. 68 X 7
st II. 28 X 7
st I. 68 X 7
st II. 28 X 7
RAW WATERPUMPS (P1)
BACKWASHPUMPS (P7)
HIGH PRESSUREPUMPS (P3)
UFPUMPS (P2)
TO DRAIN
TO DRAIN
Seawater or 1st stage
brine following
UF pretreat.
Back to RO process
Load step
Water fromRO
process
NaOH Stabilized water
H2SO4 to pH around 2.1
25%
75%
CaCO3(s)
Exchange
step
Cation Exch. resin
Low TDS brine
Back to the sea
Wash step
[Mg2+]=0
[Mg2+]>0
Mg remineralizing novel systemMg remineralizing novel system
Remineralization Pilot Plant, Singapore
• It is inevitable that nanotechnology-based consumer products enter the aquatic environment
• Switzerland (2014): Engineered nanoparticles are present in the leachates from landfills and are released to surface water
• Viewed as emerging pollutants: toxic, may cause cancer, neurodegenerative diseases and other types of diseases
• Their eco-environmental risks demonstrate strong need of developing effective water treatment processes
Nanoparticles removal
Transport AttachmentReaction/
effect
β α k
NP removal mechanisms
(Wiesner, 2014)
Nanoparticles and biofilm• The fate and transport of NPs are affected by
biofilms.• Biofilms consist of bacteria and surrounding
EPS (extracellular polymeric substances)• NPs can be transported and strongly attach to
EPS surfaces• Initial studies (2009) have shown significant
accumulations of NPs occurring in biofilms.• Indication (2014) that NP’s attachment to EPS
is governed by electrostatic interactions• Mg presence may enhance biofilm formation Mg presence may enhance biofilm formation
Bio-fouling prevention
E.coli inactivation
by molecular capped Ag-
Nano-particles
Avner AdinHadas MamanGil Markovich
Avital Dror-Ehre
• Flexible filter beds with controlled porosity• Fiber optic technology which recycles UV
photons• Detecting and counting bacteria in minutes
instead of days• Sludge-less bio-reactors • Aerobic membrane bio reactor that consumes no
energy for aeration• Hydrophilic membrane with higher flow at lower
pressure• Electricity produced by electro genic bio-reactor.
Some of recent Israeli novel technologies
Regulations and standards
Wastewater quality for unrestricted irrigationWastewater quality for disposal to streamsIndustrial effluent qualityDrinking water qualityDesalinated water qualityMaterials and equipment
Conclusions
• More than 70% of the world population will live in cities• Future City’s water can be best managed with the help
of science under four categories: health, aesthetics, recycling and water-energy
• A holistic interpretation of the water cycle can lead to the necessary scientific research challenges
• Upgrade of regulations and standards is needed, must be based on scientific knowledge
• Cooperation in water research among Mexican and Israeli scientists can lead to improved water management in the years to come
WATER IS LIFE
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