The EU-funded intoDBP project was prominently featured at the recent International Conference on Environmental Applications of Advanced Oxidation Processes (EAAOP), where partners from the University of Catania (Università di Catania) showcased the project’s latest innovations.

Held in the historic city of Paestum and organized by Professor Luigi Rizzo of the University of Salerno, the conference gathered top global experts in water treatment. It provided the perfect stage for the intoDBP team to present their groundbreaking work on developing smarter, safer, and more efficient water disinfection methods.

The partners from the Sanitary and Environmental Engineering research group were there to highlight how the intoDBP project is tackling the critical challenge of minimizing harmful Disinfection Byproducts (DBPs) in drinking water. Their presentations demonstrated the project’s multi-faceted approach:

  • Real-Time Process Control for Safer Water: Representing the intoDBP EU project directly, Luigi Marino delivered a key presentation on “REAL-TIME CONTROL OF UV AND OZONE DOSES DURING ADVANCED OXIDATION PROCESSES.” He demonstrated how the project is using online fluorescence sensors to precisely manage treatment levels, a critical step in preventing the formation of DBPs while ensuring effective disinfection.

  • Intensifying Treatment to Eliminate Pollutants: Dr. Paolo Roccaro of the University of Catania, alongside Dr. Domenico Santoro from project partner Fondazione Samothrace, presented on “FLOW CHEMISTRY-DRIVEN INTENSIFICATION OF OZONE-BASED AOPs.” This research, central to intoDBP’s mission, explores powerful new ozonation techniques to destroy resilient micropollutants, thus reducing the precursors that can form DBPs.

  • Leveraging AI for Smart Monitoring: Filippo Fazzino of Fondazione Samothrace showcased the project’s innovative use of artificial intelligence in his talk on “FLUORESCENCE-BASED STATISTICAL AND ARTIFICAL NEURAL NETWORK APPROACHES.” His work illustrates how intoDBP is harnessing AI to monitor water quality in real-time, allowing for dynamic control of treatment systems to optimize safety and efficiency.

Professor Paolo Roccaro, a key figure in the intoDBP consortium, shared his enthusiasm about the event. “On the way back from Paestum, we are filled with new ideas. The conference was an invaluable opportunity to showcase the progress of the intoDBP project,” he stated. “I have met many friends and heard new insights on water research by relevant international scientists, which helps strengthen our collaborative network and advance our project goals.”

The impactful presentations from the University of Catania team highlight the significant contributions the intoDBP project is making to the future of safe drinking water. By sharing these innovations at leading scientific events like EAAOP, the project is paving the way for the next generation of water treatment technologies.