WATER@DIATI

Many research activities and projects implemented at DIATI are related to water resources and water management. The following image summarizes the main research topics and is followed by a list of the ongoing funded projects and of laboratories and spin-offs dealing with research related to water.

MAIN RESEARCH TOPICS

ONGOING FUNDED PROJECTS

The following is a list of the main ongoing funded projects, in which DIATI is involved as consortium leader or partner.         

- EUROPEAN PROJECTS

- “CREATE A NETWORK AROUND YOUR RESEARCH IDEA” PROJECTS, in the framework of the collaboration between the Bank foundation Compagnia di San Paolo and Politecnico di Torino 

- RESEARCH CONTRACTS

The Department implements also research contracts with public and private institutions. As an example we mention:

In the framework of the Partnership agreement between Politecnico di Torino and the water utility SMAT – Società Metropolitana Acque Torino SpA, the following projects:

  • Wastewater treatment plant: optimization of sludge management, modeling of the water and sludge treatment train, production of struvite (ref. Prof.ssa Mariachiara Zanetti)
  • Modeling of the atmospheric dispersion of odorous effluents (ref. Prof.ssa Mariachiara Zanetti)
  • Modeling of the hydraulic behavior and of the water quality of the water distribution networks in Turin (Ref. Prof. Luca Ridolfi)
  • Study and modeling of the Aqueduct of Susa Valley under various management strategies (Ref. Prof. Luca Ridolfi)

Technical support to the project SPARE - Strategic Planning for Alpine River Ecosystems - Integrating protection and development, in the framework of the Alpine Space 2014-2020 European. Contracting authority: ARPA Valle d’Aosta Region - Ref. Prof. Claudio Comoglio

Research and applied experimentation to analyze the vulnerability of the subsurface water resources and to the safeguard criteria for water uptake stations in mountain areas. Contracting authority: Idroricerche S.r.l. - Ref. Prof. Stefano Lo Russo

Physical model of the discharge and auxiliary works downstream of Gurzia dam. Contracting authority: Enel Green Power - Ref. Prof. Davide Poggi

LABORATORIES

Here a list of the main laboratories that implement research activities related to water resources at different levels.

- Interdepartmental center CleanWaterCentre (CWC)

  • The Clean Water Center designs and develops innovative technologies for the extraction of high quality water and useful resources from contaminated and saline water resources. The CWC is coordinated by Prof. Alberto Tiraferri del DIATI and involves personnel from DIATI, DISAT, DENERG e DET 

- DIATI Laboratories

  • Environmental chemistry lab: chemical-physical analyses and pilot tests are carried out relating to pollution in environmental systems, including solid, liquid and gaseous emissions. Water characterization analyses are also carried out and innovative treatments are tested for both drinking water production and wastewater treatment, as well as for the in situ treatment of groundwater. In the Biological Laboratory, pilot tests are carried out using microorganisms and / or algae. (Ref. Prof. Mariachiara Zanetti)
  • Ecology lab: treatment of different types of wastewater with a pilot plant based on a hybrid phytodepuration technology; cultivation and use of freshwater microalgae in controlled photobioreactors. (Ref. Prof.ssa Elena Comino). (Ref. Prof.ssa Elena Comino)
  • EN.SUR.E WATER LAB: innovation in the field of water and wastewater treatment through membrane separation technologies, advanced oxidation, and nanomaterials for environmental remediation.  (Ref. Prof. Alberto Tiraferri)
  • Environmental Nanotechnologies Lab: managed by the aquifer engineering research group, the laboratory applies ferrous micro and nanoparticles which, dispersed in aqueous suspensions or in polymeric fluids, are injected into the subsoil for the reclamation of contaminated aquifers (Ref. Prof. Rajandrea Sethi)
  • Hydraulics Lab: experimental laboratory to support the theoretical and applicative studies of hydraulics (Ref. Prof. Davide Poggi)
  • Hydrogeological research lab: analyses on groundwater and surface water resources concerning inorganic compounds, and in particular metals, lanthanides, and other major elements (Ref. Dott. Adriano Fiorucci)

STUDENTS TEAMS
  • Mi Lego al Territorio:  a student team using LEGO® to raise awareness amongst young generations on land management and protection from floods and extreme events- Ref. Prof. Pierluigi Claps   

SPIN-OFF

DIATI is currently active in 4 spin-offs. Two of them are connected to water issues:  

OTHER INITIATIVES