TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENTS - PROJECTS FUNDED BY

SMART MODULE

ZIM AiF Cooperation

Funding code

KK5085501SA0

Duration

01.12.2020-30.11.2022

Safe water – development of a smart membrane module with integrated sensors for the evaluation of quality characteristics by means of continuous integrity testing of the membrane modules.

Within the scope of the research project, sensor technology integrated into the filtration modules/towers as well as an intelligent system for continuous and predictive maintenance, increased process reliability in water treatment, proof of membrane integrity and cleaning performance of the filtration system and optimization of production processes are to be developed. In this context, the energy supply to the measurement modules must be provided by wireless energy transmission methods. The data transmission is to be realized by means of near-field communication (NFC) technology.

REUSE OF FILTER BACKWASH WATER FROM GROUNDWATER TREATMENT TO SECURE DRINKING WATER SUPPLY

BMBF-Wave FITWAS

Funding code (FKZ)

02WV1565D

Duration

01.02.2021-30.09.2024

Filter backwash water accrues during water treatment with currently between 1% and 4% of the elevated groundwater. This sludge-containing filter backwash water is usually disposed of as wastewater and is thus lost to the drinking water supply. At the same time, the demand for drinking water is continuously increasing as a result of climate, demographic and structural change. In addition, the iron and manganese-containing filter sludge is often not further recovered…

FURTHER DEVELOPMENT OF FILTRATION PROCESSES

ERDF personnel funding / Saarland State Chancellery: Saar Central Technology Program

Funding code

WT/3-ZTS-004-04/2021

Duration

01.03.2021-28.02.2022

Development of different filtration processes and pre-treatment for industrial water: Currently, work is planned in the areas of “produced water” – water from oil production and agriculture. Both water streams are to be treated for reuse.

Determination of interactions of pre-treatment and purification with the membrane surface (interfacial phenomena): The aim of the material science investigations is to prevent or minimize membrane blockages by a targeted use of chemicals or ozone and to better understand the interfacial phenomena.

Project fund: 22,500 EUR

MINING WATER - USE OF INNOVATIVE TECHNOLOGIES TO REDUCE FRESHWATER DEMAND BY RECOVERING WATER FROM MINING WATEWATER

BMBF

Funding code

02WME1611B

Duration

01.07.2021-30.06.2024

Increasing water demand due to population growth and industrial development combined with inadequate wastewater treatment lead to conflicts of use in Jordan. Of relevance is, among others, phosphate mining with water and valuable material losses through wastewater collection in tailing ponds with a potential for water reuse of 3 million mÂł water per mine annually. The complex and varying wastewater composition requires treatment processes that enable sustainable water management with water reuse. Previous approaches have not been technically or economically successful due to the complex water matrix.
The novel solution approach is based on the investigation of energy-efficient ceramic flat-sheet membranes for solids separation and cost-effective and robust desalination processes for water reuse. For the first time, suitable resins and selective nanofiltration membranes are being tested for the separation of divalent ions. For chloride removal, low-cost polymer membranes or membrane-based flexible capacitive deionization will be tested. Heavy metals are separated using a novel selective absorber. Valorization of separated phosphate-containing solids in resulting concentrates adds value with a potential of 85,000 t/a of phosphate for a mine. The work includes laboratory testing and operational demonstration. Based on the exemplary application, there is transfer potential to phosphate mines in the Middle East and North Africa with a factor of 40. In addition, the transferability of the results to uranium mining will be examined. Within the framework of the project, cross-national cooperation between science and practice will take place, among other things on the basis of employee training courses, and the transfer of research results to university teaching.

INDIWATER - INDEPENDENT INDUSTRIAL WATER SUPPLY BY DIGITALIZATION, SIMULATION AND INNOVATIVE TREATMENT TECHNOLOGIES

EU-RFCS

Funding code

101034072

Duration

01.07.2021-31.12.2024

Increasing water stress in Central Europe is a challenge for the iron and steel industry. To face it, IndiWater focuses on the prediction and control of operating status of process water circuits and treatment plants under consideration of innovative online measurement techniques. Zero liquid discharge (ZLD) techniques will be introduced to mitigate the water stress. The proposal IndiWater focuses on these approaches in the context of circular economy and the European Green Deal. Objectives of IndiWater are I.) development of a digital prediction tool and automated water circuits control system, II.) development and application of online NIR measurement, III.) improvement and adaptation of ZLD treatment processes by coupling with the prediction tool and NIR measurement. The progress of the proposal beyond the state of art is focussing for: Industrial Water 4.0, Prediction tool on basis of SIMBA#, Pre-filtration with new modular ceramic flat-sheet membranes and combination of desalting technologies to achieve near ZLD. These innovative approaches and solutions will be tested in two different use cases with complex wastewaters which are typical for the steel industry. The well-balanced consortia of complementary partners from the steel industry, leading R&D companies for the steel production and specialised companies can achieve the addressed added values. IndiWater will lead to a safer water supply due decoupling from climate change, to a prediction tool on basis of the common SIMBA# software for a reliable wastewater treatment plant operation and to a water recovery by innovative and energy saving technologies. Improvements will be assessed by the creation of an LCA which is linked to the prediction tool. The experienced partners coordinated by the applied R&D company VDEh-Betriebsforschungsinstitut (BFI) agreed about the IPR Management and included a risk as well as innovation management in the work plan.

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