The LIFE LIBERNITRATE project has as its main objective the reduction of nitrate concentrations in the full water cycle, implementing a sustainable and innovative system based on the use of active silica filters derived from the ashes produced by the controlled combustion of rice straw.
The LIFE LIBERNITRATE project is a pilot initiative to be developed in the Ribera region, aiming to demonstrate the feasibility of a technology that addresses some of the main environmental issues of the area: groundwater contamination by nitrates, air pollution from rice straw burning, and energy dependency on fossil fuels.
The pilot test of LIFE LIBERNITRATE will take place almost entirely in the town of Alginet, where laboratories will be installed to manufacture the silica filters and a boiler will produce ashes from the straw while generating renewable energy. Additionally, the demonstration water treatment plant using this new technology will be implemented at the Alginet reverse osmosis plant.
LIFE LIBERNITRATE aligns with: (i) the Water Framework and Nitrates Directives to reverse the situation of contaminated groundwater bodies; (ii) contributes to achieving the objectives of the 20-20-20 Climate and Energy Package, by preparing a technology that requires lower energy consumption to treat contaminated water while producing renewable energy from rice straw combustion; and (iii) the Circular Economy Package, promoting sustainable resource use, competitiveness, job creation, and sustainable growth.
The project involves, in addition to the Energy Area of the Consorci de la Ribera as territorial coordinator, the Universitat Politècnica de València, the Universitat de València, the Diputación de Valencia, Aguas de Valencia SA, the University of Genoa, the Unió de Llauradors i Ramaders, and Stichting Incubator.
The LIFE LIBERNITRATE project has a duration of 36 months, starting on October 1, 2017, and is expected to end on September 30, 2020. The project has a budget of approximately €2.5 million, co-financed by the European Commission through the LIFE+ program.
KO_LIFE16 Beneficiary ENV-ES-000419
