THE COMPANY
The Sanitary Engineering Laboratory (SEL), part of the Water Resources and Environmental Engineering Department of the NTUA School of Civil Engineering, was founded in 1981 and is a leading center for research, education, and consultancy in Environmental Engineering. SEL conducts basic and applied research in areas such as water pollution control, wastewater and sludge treatment, nutrients and energy recovery, bioremediation, and environmental impact assessments. Its expertise extends to the management of water resources, solid waste management, and emerging contaminants.
SEL actively participates in competitive European and Greek research projects and collaborates with public organizations like the Greek Ministry of Environment and private companies. Accredited by the Hellenic Accreditation System (ΕΛΟΤ EN ISO/IEC 17025), SEL provides chemical and microbiological analyses of water, wastewater, and sludge. Its 400 m² facility houses advanced laboratory and pilot plant equipment for analyzing pollutants and evaluating treatment processes.
The lab is staffed by over 25 specialized scientists, including postdoctoral researchers and PhD candidates, and is heavily involved in education, teaching 18 undergraduate and graduate courses. SEL has supervised 12 PhD, 400 MSc, and Diploma theses, and published 200 scientific papers. Over the last five years, it has secured €5 million in research funding, advancing sustainable development and circular economy practices.
THE ROLE OF NTUA INSIDE TRINEFLEX PROJECT
The TRINEFLEX project applies advanced technologies to improve sludge management and energy efficiency, with NTUA/Sanitary Engineering Laboratory (SEL) contributing through two key activities.
First, NTUA/Sanitary Engineering Laboratory (SEL) is involved in the development and implementation of HYDROMOL technology at EYDAP, focusing on the design and operation of a hydrothermal treatment reactor. This reactor converts sludge into solid biofuels (hydrochar) and valuable chemical products, such as volatile fatty acids and furfurals. Hydrochar can be used as a carbon-rich fuel or as an additive to enhance biogas production in anaerobic reactors. A prototype high-pressure continuous hydrothermal system is being developed to optimize resource utilization and valorize low-cost raw materials.
Second, NTUA/Sanitary Engineering Laboratory (SEL) is applying its C-FOOT-CTRL tool at the Alcantarilla WWTP demo site. This advanced tool monitors and reduces greenhouse gas emissions, optimizes energy consumption, and ensures compliance with effluent quality standards. NTUA/Sanitary Engineering Laboratory (SEL) is also identifying biomass sources that can be used for energy production, contributing to the sustainability of the TRINEFLEX demonstration sites.
These activities provide energy-intensive industries with practical solutions to reduce carbon emissions, lower operational costs, and enhance resource efficiency. By integrating innovative tools and technologies, TRINEFLEX promotes sustainable practices and supports the transition to a circular economy.
