The Project – INVALOR

Project Implementation Plan

The proposed implementation of the long-term goals of the INVALOR Research Infrastructure, is based on the following distinct steps:

Identification of by-products/processed raw materials streams
Assessment of the current situation regarding management methodologies for different streams
Characterization of streams both in terms of their physicochemical characteristics and their variability, as well as of characteristics related to their total annual productivity, stability (e.g. seasonal production)
Research and study of possible alternative technologies for the holistic exploitation of processed raw materials, focusing on the production of new high added-value products with improved characteristics, as well as energy
Comparative techno-economic assessment and environmental assessment of alternative technologies

Industrial by-products/processed raw materials are divided into two major categories:

Inorganic (ash, slag, red mud, inorganic fraction of municipal waste, etc.)
Organic (dairy waste, juice extraction by-products, ‘expired food’, olive mill waste, organic fraction of municipal waste, etc.)

Valorization technologies can be divided into:

Physicochemical (chemical, photochemical, physical, etc.)
Biochemical/biological (fermentation, anaerobic or aerobic digestion, biological treatment, etc.)

Project Organization

Workpackage 8 of the subproject 1, of the University of Patras, is responsible for the administration of the project INVALOR as a whole, as well as for the local actions at the University of Patras. For the coordinative activities In workpackage 8, as members of the administrative team, contribute prof George Angelopoulos (as scientific responsible), prof. Dionysios Mantzavinos (as assistant scientific responsible), and as members also, prof Ioannis Koukos and postdoc personnel Dr Christos Tatsiopoulos.

Sub-project 1: Sub-project of central pole of University of Patras (UoP)

Partner: University of Patras (UOP)

Valorization of solid inorganic industrial by-products for the production of ceramic building materials and cement (UOP.WP1)
New catalytic materials and oxidation processes for the decontamination of aquatic matrices from organic pollutants (UOP.WP2)
Recovery of phenolic substances from agricultural by-products (UOP.WP3)
Recovery of nutrients from waste streams using adsorbents and microalgae (UOP.WP4)
Biotechnological valorization of agri-livestock residues for the production of biofuels and high added-value roducts (UOP.WP5)
Techno-economic and environmental assessment of by-products/processed raw materials valorization technologies (UOP.WP6)
Complete mechanical, thermomechanical, thermal and electrical characterization of innovative products (UOP.WP7)
Management and administration of the Project (UOP.WP8)

Sub-project 2: Management and valorization of different types of waste (UoA)

Partner: National & Kapodistrian University of Athens (UOA)

Management and valorization of municipal and industrial solid and liquid waste for the creation of usable products (UOA.WP1)
Management of laboratory toxic waste (UOA.WP2)
Valorization and management of steel industry waste (UOA.WP3)
Project coordination (UOA.WP4)

Sub-project 3: Bioproducts and biofuels from agro-industrial waste and residues (ICE-HT)

Partner: Institute of Chemical Engineering Sciences (ICE-HT)

Integrated methodology for the valorization of agro-industrial waste and residues through biological and physicochemical processes (ICE-HT.WP1)
Coordination and management of ICE-HT sub-project (ICE-HT.WP2)

Sub-project 4: Sub-project of peripheral pole of Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (AUTh)

Partner: Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (AUTH)

Hydrometallurgical recovery and electrochemical treatment of chromium from tannery waste (sludge), for reuse in industry (AUTH.WP1)
Valorization of inorganic industrial by-products in infrastructure projects (AUTH.WP2)
Valorization of biomass – waste and by-products from agricultural activities and food industry for the production of high value fuels and chemicals (AUTH.WP3)
Coordination and management of AUTH sub-project (AUTH.WP4)

Sub-project 5: Valorization of industrial waste and by-products for the development of innovative bio-refineries (AUA)

Partner: Agricultural University of Athens (AUA)

Valorization of agricultural industry by-products for the production of industrial raw materials, animal feed and soil conditioner (AUA.WP1)
Holistic valorization of by-products from different stages of food and biodiesel production-sales chains for the development of innovative biorefineries (AUA.WP2)
Management and administration of the sub-project (AUA.WP3)

Sub-project 6: Environmental applications from waste valorization in the Region of Crete (TUC)

Partner: Technical University of Crete (TUC)

Biochar production for environmental and agronomic applications (TUC.WP1)
Treatment and valorization of olive oil production waste (TUC.WP2)
Valorization of mining and metallurgical waste, construction and demolition waste, PET waste, metacaolin and decorative stones (TUC.WP3)
Actions to exploit and promote the results of the physical object (TUC.WP4)
Management of the sub-project (TUC.WP5)

Sub-project 7: Valorization of agro-industrial residues and biomass for producing biofuels and materials (DUTh)

Partner: Democritus University of Thrace (DUTH)

Biogas production from animal residues (DUTH.WP1)
Valorization of sunflower cultivation residues for materials and energy production (DUTH.WP2)
Management of sub-project “Valorization of agro-industrial residues and biomass for producing biofuels and materials” (DUTH.WP3)