SILDI
Our team consists of permanent researchers, postdoctoral researchers, and Ph.D. candidates from the Membrane and Materials for Environmental Separations Laboratory at the Institute of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology (INN) of the NCSR “Demokritos.” The team has extensive experience in developing experimental setups from lab-scale to pilot-scale. Our core expertise lies in the development, evaluation, and modeling of processes for finding specialized standard solutions to research and industrial environmental problems (treatment of aqueous and gaseous pollutants). Although the team possesses broad experience in securing funding and implementing complex research programs, the commercial exploitation of its results was not previously a priority. The Proof of Concept program contributed significantly to encouragement and acceleration in this direction.
Due to climate change and the increasing need for clean water, more desalination units are required to be put into operation, especially in areas like Greece and the wider Mediterranean basin. Remote water quality monitoring, specifically the determination of the Silt Density Index (SDI), is crucial in all membrane processes for the timely prediction of malfunctions and the prevention or mitigation of colloidal particle fouling on the membrane surface. High SDI values lead to a reduction in membrane lifespan and highlight the need for water pretreatment and more frequent membrane cleaning. Despite this critical need, devices currently available on the market do not allow for automatic, real-time, and in situ sampling during water treatment processes like reverse osmosis. They require human intervention, and some of the more specialized devices carry a high cost. in situ κατά την επεξεργασία του νερού σε διεργασίες όπως της αντίστροφης όσμωσης και απαιτούν την παρουσία ανθρώπινου δυναμικού, ενώ ορισμένες πιο εξειδικευμένες έχουν υψηλό κόστος.
The solution we offer is a data processing system for the early warning and prediction of problems during the water treatment process. This is achieved through the real-time and in situ determination of the SDI index by a specialized device, in situ following the specifications defined by the ASTM D4189 standard, and requiring minimal operator intervention. The collected data are uploaded directly to an electronic database using network communication protocols and cloud applications.
Over time, our team aims to offer a wider range of analytical devices utilizing smart sensors, as well as providing related services.
The most significant problem we faced was the long delivery times for mechanical equipment, particularly for foreign imports. This was managed by selecting temporary alternative components and adjusting both the device and the algorithm accordingly.
The program helped us strengthen our team's capabilities in a short period. Both the material and advisory support served as a catalyst in developing our device. Furthermore, the program, under experienced guidance, helped us understand the necessary steps required for establishing a company, creating a business model, protecting intellectual property rights, and gradually entering the market.
