Water Challenge – Ports 4.0 – Integrated Treatment of Contaminated Fluids in Ports
Ports 4.0
The project
Ports worldwide face an increasing environmental challenge: managing and treating contaminated fluids such as MARPOL residues, runoff, and stormwater. Conventional treatment technologies are costly, energy-intensive, and often ineffective at fully separating water from solids—posing major environmental and economic concerns.
Water Challenge, a Spanish SME recognised as an Innovative SME, has developed a disruptive solution: the ASEC (Adiabatic Sonic Evaporator and Crystallizer). This patented technology enables a continuous Zero Liquid Discharge Plus (ZLD+) process that achieves 100% separation of water and solids without chemicals and with exceptionally low energy consumption (<20 kWh/m³).
The system operates through a sonic adiabatic evaporation–crystallisation process that converts contaminated port fluids into two reusable by-products: distilled water suitable for industrial or irrigation use, and dry crystallized solids (<1% moisture) that can be valorised in construction or material recovery.
A pilot plant with a capacity of 10 m³/day will be installed at the Port of Huelva, integrating renewable energy and circular economy principles to create a model of sustainable port operations.
The Impact
The TiFCoP project represents a major step forward for the green transition of Europe’s port sector. By turning waste into resources, Water Challenge’s innovation reduces operational costs, eliminates pollutant discharges, and minimizes CO₂ emissions. Beyond the Port of Huelva, this solution has the potential to transform wastewater management practices across ports globally, supporting the EU’s Green Deal, Circular Economy, and Blue Economy strategies.
The Result
With Evolution Europe’s strategic guidance, Water Challenge, S.L. successfully secured €522,068.10 in funding through the Ports 4.0 Commercial Projects Call (2023). This milestone will accelerate the deployment of their ASEC-based pilot plant and validate a breakthrough technology that enables a cleaner, more efficient, and sustainable future for ports and coastal industries.
