Problems
linked to the environment and risk prevention rank high on the
priority list of our society.
Lyon
and its surroundings, where chemical industries are heavily
present, has long been aware of such priorities. More than
11% of national patents dedicated to air pollution and waste
treatment originate from Lyon.
Lyon
boasts a high "environmental" potential. The sector
represents 8.5% of the national turnover and workforce whereas
Greater Lyon's economy averages 3.7% of France's activity.
Within
this framework, the la Doua Science Park is one of France's
research poles which very early got involved in this field of
study. As early as 1973, la Doua researchers contributed
to defining regulatory waste control processes. As experts they
are now heavily involved in French and European organisations.
The
la Doua Science Park is the 1st French research pole on environmental
catalysis hosting the Institute of research on catalysis, an independent
CNRS research unit, Claude Bernard Lyon1 University, INSA-Lyon and
ESCPE-Lyon. Research is conducted on catalytic converters, the combustion
of diesel engine pollutant particles, and the reduction of nitrogen
oxide emissions from diesel vehicles, as well as on catalysis in presence
of sulfur (e.g. to fight acid rains).
Waste
treatment :
INSA-Lyon
has been involved in waste treatment since 1973 through its LCPAE
now called LAEPSI. There are numerous applications such as the creation
of refuse tips (particularly for toxic waste treatment), the implementation
of waste stabilisation and solidification processes, environmental
impact studies linked to industrial manufacturing processes... URGC
is also involved in waste valorisation and their use in construction
materials.
Researchers
from Claude Bernard Lyon1 University are currently conducting fundamental
studies in nuclear physics on nuclear waste storage.
Analytical
chemistry and fine analysis :
Fine
analysis : La Doua researchers have also developed tremendous
expertise in fine analysis, i.e. the detection and dosage of particles
in infinitesimal concentrations in any type of environment whether
solid, gas or liquid.
Detection
of air pollution :
LASIM has designed a very accurate system to measure air pollution,
using both laser and LIDAR (Light detection and ranging) technologies.
A French-German programme called "Teramobil" is currently investigating
the feasability of a very powerful and mobile femtosecond laser
to study air pollution in an even finer way.
Spray
curtains :
A few years ago, LAGEP modelled spray curtains to bring down
and disperse accidental toxic gas clouds.
Creation
of an Institute of Analytical Chemistry : headed by the CNRS,
the Institute will aim at creating an important European research
pole including the Solaize-base Central Analysis Service, a CNRS service
recognised throughout Europe for its know-how in trace and ultratrace
element detection.
Biotechnologies
and the environment :
Biotechnologies
applied to the environment represent an expanding field of study and
benefit from a very positive public image.This kind of research, which
combines plant engineering and environment engineering, should open
up on numerous developments in the near future.
the
UCBL microbian ecology lab is currently studying the use of
bacteria to decontaminate polluted soils.
INSA-Lyon's
LAEPSI is investigating the use of micro-organisms to treat
waste water.
Measurements
and control in general, using biocaptors, biotests or bioindicators
as well as environmental damage prevention are research areas on biotechnologies
applied to the environment.
Study
of natural environments :
Water : la Doua is part of OTHU (monitoring centre in urban
and environmental hydrology) which gathers INSA-Lyon and UCBL both
present on site, and Ecole Centrale de Lyon, ENTPE, Lyon 3 University
and CEMAGREF. This centre brings together various experimental fields.
Research is also conducted on flood risks (modelling of the floods
in Vaison la Romaine, France, in 1992...). UCBL's lab of river hydrosystem
ecology (UCBL) is conducting research on water ecosystem evolution,
diagnosis methods, and environment engineering for restauration.
Soil
: for research on soil pollution, la Doua has a partnership with
the EXOSOLS research group.
Nuisances
: research is also conducted on such nuisances as noise (with
LVA) and odours (with the neuro-sensorial physiology lab).
Habitat
quality : for instance, CETHIL has designed computer-based sensors
to follow pollutants (CO2, water vapors...) in confined areas to improve
ventilation systems.
Training
:
Initial
training :
ESCPE-Lyon,
INSA-Lyon, Claude Bernard Lyon 1 University.
Continuing
training :
INSACAST, CETIAT, ESCPE FCR-Lyon, UCBL's service for continuing training
Focus
on :
General training course on the environment at UCBL's Institute
of environment engineering and ecodevelopment
Maîtrise des Sciences de l'environment (UCBL) (4-year
degree in environment science)
Maîtrise de Biologie des Populations et des Ecosystèmes
(mention environnement) (UCBL) (4-year degree in population
and ecosystem biology with a specialisation in the environment)
Mastère de Management de l'environment, (vocational undergraduate
degree in environment engineering) launched by INSA-Lyon
8 years ago (the only one in France with the one at Ecole
des Mines in Paris)
DESS de Microbiologie (UCBL) (vocational post-graduate
degree in microbiology)
Lyon
chemistry post-graduate school :
- DEA de Sciences et Techniques du Déchet (INSA-Lyon)
(post-graduate research certificate in waste science and
technology)
Evolution, Ecosystems, Microbiology, and modelling (E2M2)
post-graduate school :
- DEA Analyse et Modélisation des Systèmes Biologiques
(UCBL/INSA-Lyon/ENGREF) (post-graduate research certificate
in biological system analysis and modelling)
- DEA d'Ecologie Microbienne (UCBL/ENVL) (post-graduate
research certificate in microbic ecology)
Economy, space, and behaviour modelling post-graduate
school (E2MC) :
- DEA d'urbanisme (INSA de Lyon et Université Lyon 2)
(post-graduate research certificate in urban engineering)
MEGA
post-graduate school (Mechanics, energetics, civil and
acoustic engineering) :
- DEA d'acoustique (UCBL, INSA-Lyon, ECL) (post-graduate
research certificate in acoustics)...
Business
:
POLDEN was
created with a view to building up on LAEPSI's research activities
towards applied research, expertise, and development studies. Both
POLDEN and LAEPSI took part in the definition of national and European
standards on waste treatment.
For
the past ten years, the la Doua-based RECORD association has brought
together ADEME and 13 industrial companies, among which some of the
big names in chemistry, eco-industries, car manufacturers, energy...
to conduct research on waste treatment. Industrial companies such
as Rhodia, Solvay, PSA, Renault, ELF, SOCOTEC, EDG-GDF... have set
up " a cooperative for research purchases", through which studies
on waste, their analysis, their treatment and their interactions with
health and ecosystems are conducted every year.
The
Rhône-Alpes research group on water infrastructures (G.R.A.I.E.) is
another collaboration network. Among other topics, it concentrates
on urban hydrology and water treatment techniques.
On
a regional level, a pole on the environment and process engineering
gathering industrial companies and research labs but also supported
by A.P.P.E.L. (Association for the promotion of Lyon-based eco-companies)
organises the activies in environmental science and technology.
An
overview of innovations and achievements at la Doua
Analysis
of the ERIKA oil spill
POLDEN
and INSAVALOR
"TOTAL
FINA has asked for POLDEN's expertise. The purpose of this assignment
is to determine the most appropriate type of treatment for the
oil spill. POLDEN, which has gained recognition for its expertise
of polluted sites, won the market over a major American competitor".
(Le Progrès - 1st March 2000)
Air
pollutant detection
LASIM
LASIM
has designed a system to detect air pollution. It uses both
laser and LIDAR (Light detection and ranging) techniques to
scan a whole area.
Catalysis
and the environment
IRC
In
March 2000, an agreement was signed between CNRS, the Chinese
Academy of Science and Total Fina Raffinage for the creation
of a common lab for catalysis headed by IRC. Catalysis applied
to the environment will be a common research project with China.
Spray
curtains against toxic clouds
LAGEP
Together
with European partners and INSA-Lyon, UCBL's LAGEP has designed
a process to control accidental toxic gas emissions using spray
curtains.
Recyle
it !
URGC
URGC
recycles bauxite waste. The aim is to develop high-performance
concretes including 7 to 15% of dehydrated red mud. These materials
could be used for works of arts having to withstand difficult
conditions.
Rehabilitation
of the Rhône river
LEHF
The RMC
water agency, the Compagnie Nationale du Rhône and the Rhône-Alpes
Direction for the environment have asked UCBL's LEHF, CEMAGREF,
and Lyon 3 University geomorphologists, to design water ecosystem
rehabilitation ecotechnologies (applications are currently under
way in the Vernaison area and should be extended to the whole
of the Rhône valley).
Noxious
gas and odours : launch of the first European test bench for
air filters
CETIAT
CETIAT
has recently launched the first European test bench for air
filters designed to trap noxious gas and odours. This setup
enables the characterisation of air filters used in ventilation
systems in general and car ventilation systems in particular.
Major
projects
Research
Creation
of a research pool gathering seven labs involved in environment
management at INSA-Lyon
Technological
centre
Creation
of a technological centre for waste, materials and polluted
soils environmental assessment.
Infrastructures
and research
Creation
of the Institute of Analytical Chemistry
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180 staff
work on environmental research
Research
- Training - Business
- La Doua : innovations and achievements - Major
projects 
