Research Projects

India and Portugal are major producers of alcohol and brandy, with distilleries being one of the most polluting industries globally. Distilleries generate significant amounts of wastewater, with high chemical oxygen demand and biochemical oxygen demand. Biomethanation is used as a secondary treatment, but it is inefficient due to high polyphenols, ammonium nitrogen, heavy metals, and pesticides. Steam reforming SR for hydrogen production is a promising approach to meet energy needs in a sustainable way, while mitigating harmful wastes. Two final treatments, electrochemical and Fenton processes, are proposed in WASTENERGY to treat distillery wastewater organic load and reduce costs. The project aims to produce green hydrogen H2 from distillery effluents using catalytic reforming, minimizing residual pollution load and making distilleries a zero-waste generation industry. The project involves a consortium with expertise in catalyst preparation, wastewater treatment by electrochemical techniques, and advanced oxidation processes. The project aims to establish an advanced recyclable wastewater system for treating remaining organic load in distillery wastewater.