The ClearFlow project, led by Water Challenge S.L. and HOFITECH, addresses the environmental and economic challenges of acid mine drainage (AMD) and industrial wastewater. AMD contaminates water with sulfuric acid, rare earths and metal(loid)s, harming ecosystems and water supplies. Traditional treatment methods are costly and inefficient, often leading to untreated waste being stored in evaporation ponds, posing long-term pollution risks.
ClearFlow introduces a hybrid purification method combining electrocoagulation and ASEC (Adiabatic Sonic Evaporation and Crystallization) technology. Electrocoagulation removes suspended solids and heavy metals, while ASEC, a zero-liquid-discharge process, distills dissolved solids, producing ultrapure water with an electric conductivity below 200 µS/cm and dry, metallic-rich solids suitable for commercial use. Water Challenge S.L. leads the project’s development and implementation, while HOFITECH provides the technical expertise and engineering for the ASEC technology.
The project will demonstrate this technology using mining wastewater from Rio Tinto mines in Huelva, Spain, targeting a pilot plant capable of treating 10 cubic meters of water and recovering 300 kilograms of solids daily. Aligning with European sustainability goals, it reduces environmental risks while promoting resource recovery for use in construction and metallurgy.
ClearFlow aims to commercialize its method through new wastewater treatment contracts, benefiting municipalities and industries with a cost-effective alternative to traditional waste management. With planned expansion in Spain and Slovakia, the project is set to scale across Europe and beyond. This initiative successfully secured funding from the Eurostars programme, receiving over €400,000 in recognition of its potential to drive innovation in sustainable wastewater treatment.
