IESc Seminar Series: “An Innovative and Energy-Efficient Radio Frequency Pretreatment on Emerging Micropollutants in Anaerobic Sludge Digestion for Waste Reuse” By Dr. Gökçe Kor Bıçakcı
Institute of Environmental Sciences Seminar Series
“An Innovative and Energy-Efficient Radio Frequency Pretreatment on Emerging Micropollutants in Anaerobic Sludge Digestion for Waste Reuse”
By Dr Gökçe Kor Bıçakcı
Marmara University, Department of Environmental Engineering & Marie Curie Alumna
We cordially invite you to our seminar “An Innovative and Energy-Efficient Radio Frequency Pretreatment on Emerging Micropollutants in Anaerobic Sludge Digestion for Waste Reuse”, by Dr Gökçe Kor Bıçakcı, Marmara University, Department of Environmental Engineering.
When: 26 February 2024, Monday, 14:00-15:30
Where: Institute of Environmental Sciences Seminar Room (Hisar Campus E-Block)
Contact: pinar.ertor@bogazici.edu.tr for any questions.
Abstract:
The land application of biosolids is considered a sustainable and low-cost sludge disposal option as a part of resource recovery. However, releasing "emerging micropollutants" into the environment via land application of biosolids creates potential human and environmental health threats. These pollutants can accumulate in wastewater sludge, biosolid-amended agricultural soils, groundwater, drinking water systems, and even the human body. The detection and reduction of problematic micropollutants in wastewater sludge and biosolids have become a priority topic for many authorities. The EU-funded MSCA-GF project, RADIOFREPOLIS, investigated the removal and biotransformation of selected pharmaceutical and personal care products from biosolids by applying a custom-designed/built radio frequency sludge pretreatment followed by anaerobic digestion to produce eco-friendly and high-quality biosolids in addition to for moving towards the non-toxic environment. As an emerging thermal pretreatment technology, radio frequency heating at 13.56 MHz is a novel and energy-efficient system for sludge disintegration and bioenergy recovery. This project gives the opportunity to allow controlling the release of these emerging contaminants into the environment and increase bioenergy to move towards a better net energy balance of the overall process.
Short Bio:
Dr. Gokce Kor Bicakci is an environmental researcher and a Marie Curie Alumna. With a degree in Environmental Engineering and a doctorate in the field of Environmental Biotechnology, she is working on improving sustainable waste-to-energy processes. She's dedicated to minimizing waste and maximizing resource recovery while tackling the risks of emerging contaminants. Dr. Kor Bicakci is a recipient of the prestigious "Marie Skłodowska-Curie (Individual) Global Fellowship" funded by the European Commission. Her postdoc project, "RADIOFREPOLIS," conducted at the University of British Columbia - School of Engineering (Canada) and Boğaziçi University - Institute of Environmental Sciences (Turkey), concluded in December 2023. She is currently teaching in the Department of Environmental Engineering at Marmara University as a guest lecturer. She has received several fellowships and awards for her studies, including the "International Research Fellowship" by the Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey, the "ISO 2018 Environment Award" from the Istanbul Chamber of Industry, and the "GWP Award Turkey 2017" from the German Water Partnership.
