Clean water is a human right, but climate change is also causing drinking water shortages in Germany. Producing drinking water from wastewater and surface water could be a solution, but micropollutants such as drug residues, pesticides and PFAS are not sufficiently removed and end up in the environment and drinking water. The planned photocatalytic membrane reactor combines photocatalysis and membrane technology to break down these pollutants. It uses light and special catalysts to break down organic contaminants, and the membrane separates the catalyst from the purified water. The process has shown promise in the laboratory, but large-scale data is lacking. This validation project aims to test the reactor on a pilot scale and compare it with conventional methods such as ozonation and activated carbon. A membrane test facility will be used to test the technology under realistic conditions and determine energy consumption and cost-effectiveness. The aim is to demonstrate the scalability of the photocatalytic membrane reactor and evaluate its applicability in water purification in order to contribute to ecological sustainability and resource efficiency.

Duration: 06/2024-11/2025
Funding: 224.997,30 Euro
Funding programme: Sächsische Aufbaubank (SAB)

Contact:
Dr. Zahra Niavarani
Head of the field of research Surfaces of Porous Membrane Filters / Implementation in real applications
Phone: +49 (0)341 235-2377
E-Mail: zahra.niavarani(at)iom-leipzig.de

Dr. Agnes Schulze
Head of the field of research Surfaces of Porous Membrane Filters
Phone: +49 (0)341 235-2400
E-Mail: agnes.schulze(at)iom-leipzig.de