Topics
Development of electrochemical processes for a cleaner environment
Electrocoagulation of industrial wastes consisting of emulsions (cutting fluids…)
Electrocoagulation of industrial wastes consisting of suspensions (food industry,..)
Electrocoagulation of industrial wastes polluted with dyes.
Removal of Arsenic by Electrocoagulation
Removal of Phosphates by Electrocoagulation
Conductive-diamond electrolysis of industrial wastes (for refractory pollutants within a range 2,000-20,000 ppm COD)
Electrokinetic flushing of soils polluted with hydrocarbons
Disinfection of wastewaters for reuse
Electrosynthesis of oxidants with Conductive-Diamond Electrolyses.
Production of peroxophosphates
Production of peroxosulfates
Production of perobromates
Production of Ferrates
Production in-situ of disinfectants
Fuel cell technology
Synthesis of PBI membranes
Manufacture of Catalyst for PEMFC
Manufacture of Membrane – Electrode Assemblies for HTPEMFC
Testing of different fuels (hydrogen, methanol, carboxylic acids, etc.)
Physical, chemical and electrochemical characterization of PEMFC
Measurement of current distribution
Simulation of PEM fuel cells
Consultancy
Electrochemical engineering. Technical consultancy about energy, industry or environmental applications of electrochemistry
Water and wastewater engineering. Technical consultancy about physico-chemical and biological water and wastewater treatment technologies
Chemical engineering. Technical consultancy about control, instrumentation and optimization of chemical processes
Technological or Innovative Contributions. As expected of a university professor, knowledge transfer has been a significant part of Prof. Rodrigo’s activity, with numerous collaborations with industry. He has led 23 R&D contracts with companies, totaling €1,203,890, and has also participated—through the Electrochemical and Environmental Engineering Laboratory (E3L) research group he leads—in 21 additional R&D contracts with companies, amounting to €713,500.
He was awarded a technology transfer evaluation period (2000–2007), corresponding to the only call for this type of assessment held to date. He has authored over 90 technical reports for companies.
Below is a list of industry projects carried out during the most recent six-year period (2019–2024):
- 230195UCTR – Optimization of electrokinetic techniques for the remediation of silts contaminated with HCH and other organochlorine compounds in the alluvial area near the Sardas landfill (Sabiñánigo, Huesca)
Client: EMGRISA | 04/23–12/24 | €30,250.00 - 2240458UCTR – R&D study for the optimization and improvement of liquid effluent treatment at Laboratorios Servier’s Toledo plant
Client: Laboratorios Servier | 10/24–10/25 | €64,420.40 - 240208UCTR – Final advisory service for scaling up a BES reactor for industrial wastewater treatment, achieving 90% purification and hydrogen-rich biogas production
Project: H2020 ULTIMATE | Client: FCC Aqualia | 09/24–11/24 | €3,513.00 - 210253UCTR – Advisory service for scaling up a BES reactor for industrial wastewater treatment, achieving 90% purification and hydrogen-rich biogas production
Client: Aqualia Gestión Integral del Agua S.A. | 06/21–06/22 | €8,784.60 - 200412UCTR – Validation and design of electrokinetic techniques for the remediation of silts near the Sardas landfill (Sabiñánigo-Huesca), contaminated with HCH and other organochlorine compounds
12/20–09/22 | €30,250.00 - UCTR190427 – Removal of HCH and other organochlorine compounds from silts at the Sardas landfill using electrokinetic procedures
12/19–05/20 | €19,595.95 - UCTR190175 – Implementation of a continuous process for the synthesis phase of butamine HCL (ethyl derivative)
Client: Laboratorios Servier | 05/19–12/19 | €82,794.86
Although patent commercialization is challenging in this field—where patents are often used to support research contracts—six patents have been registered:
- ES2967558B2 – Electro-absorption unit for the removal of volatile organic compounds and odorous substances from gaseous streams
- ES2395586A1 – Water disinfection process using diamond electrodes
- ES2402244A1 – Combined electrocoagulation and electroflotation reactor for wastewater treatment
- ES2395458A1 – Electrocoagulation process for the regeneration of treated water
- ES2246162A1 – Electrochemical synthesis of peroxidiphosphate salts using diamond electrodes
- WO2008102036A1 – Method for obtaining a freeze-dried, stable extract from plants of the Allium genus
Prof. Rodrigo has led a Proof of Concept project funded by the Spanish Research Agency (AEI):
Getting on top of Sustainable electrochemical remediation technologies for chlorinated hydrocarbons pollution associated to industrial activities (PDC2021-121105-I00)
12/21–11/23 | €149,500.00
He has specialized in process scalability and integration, within his research line focused on electrochemical technology applications for environmental and energy purposes. His participation in European projects has been closely tied to this expertise, with his group having participated or currently participating in seven European projects, including one international joint programming initiative.
He was a founding partner and board member, representing UCLM, of the technology-based company CLM Hidrógeno (Compañía de Castilla-La Mancha de Hidrógeno, Biocombustibles y Pilas de Combustible) for nearly six years. Within this framework, he contributed to the Strategic Deployment Plan for Hydrogen Technologies in Castilla-La Mancha, prepared for the Castilla-La Mancha Energy Agency (AGECAM) in 2008.
He was also a founding partner of Garlicinsa, a company aimed at applying the results of the patent WO2008102036A1 mentioned above.
Currently, he co-directs the E3L Knowledge Transfer Unit at UCLM.