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WASTE4H2: progress in collaboration with Omani scientists
On September 25-26th 2024, the Research and Innovation Centre Pro-Akademia had the honor of hosting Prof. Dr. Eng. Najah Al Mhanna from the German University of Technology in Oman (Sultanate of Oman). The purpose of the visit was to hold personal meetings dedicated to the progress of the ongoing WASTE4H2 project. This joint Polish-Omani research project, entitled "Simultaneous Wastewater Treatment and Hydrogen Generation by Plasma-Driven Electro-Insulation of Solutions Powered by Hybrid Photovoltaic-Thermal Collectors," is co-funded by the National Centre for Research and Development (NCBR) and the German University of Technology in Oman under the INNOGLOBO I program.
The main goal of Prof. Al Mhanna's visit was the demonstration of two experimental test stands developed by the Pro-Akademia team: the PVT system integrated with solar panel cleaning and a unique, complex plasma-ultrasonic reactor. This reactor offers advanced oxidation technologies enabling the purification of highly saline production waters from organic contaminants originating from oil extraction, while simultaneously generating hydrogen.
The demonstration highlighted the significant potential of this complex technology to partially reduce the environmental impact associated with oil extraction and processing. Additionally, it opens up further opportunities in desalinating hypertonic waters and recovering valuable compounds.
The WASTE4H2 project is currently entering its third year of implementation, and the developed devices will be transported and tested at GUTech in Oman to assess the technology's efficiency in a suitable environment.
During Prof. Al Mhanna's visit, in addition to discussing the promising results of the project, partners took the opportunity to explore future research and development collaborations during informal sessions. They discussed specific goals and key actions in response to upcoming calls for proposals relevant to both the Polish and Omani industries. It was agreed to strengthen cooperation, with the next meeting to take place in Oman at GUTech.
During the visit, aside from official meetings, Prof. Al Mhanna had the opportunity to admire the attractions of Warsaw and Łódź.
More information about the WASTE4H2 project can be found on its website: https://www.proakademia.eu/en/projects/135.html
The project is financed by the Polish National Center for Research and Development (NCBR) from the state budget of the Republic of Poland under the INNOGLOBO program.