ElectroNORM

Hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, is a way stimulate the productivity of an oil or gas well by injecting water, sand and/or chemicals to ‘fracture’ underground bedrock. Radiological contamination in the large amount of wastewater from naturally occurring radioactive material (NORM) in the underlying rock formations is a concern to stakeholders and the public. Current wastewater treatment methods cannot remediate it. Environmentally friendly electro-adsorption promises minimal water waste, low operating cost and high energy and removal efficiency. With the support of the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions programme, the ElectroNORM project will develop electrodes for electro-adsorption based on functionalised carbon aerogel that can remove the highly radiotoxic, NORM from fracking wastewater.

Duration: 1 September 2023 - 31 August 2025