Membrane filtration

Membrane processes play a central role while establishing closed water cycles, for the reuse of municipal wastewater as well as in seawater desalination. The research of the Membrane Filtration group at the chair currently focuses on the suppression of biofouling by integrating UV-LEDs into membrane modules, the combination of powdered activated carbon and ozone with ceramic ultrafiltration membranes, the retention of microbial and chemical contaminants in highpressure membranes, as well as fouling mitigation strategies by alternative membrane surface patterns.

Since the end of 2018, we have been working in a BMBF project on the question of how far unwanted biofouling on the membrane, which affects the energetic efficiency of the membrane process, can be reduced. By using UV-C LEDs, we are developing UV-membrane hybrid processes in which targeted UV pretreatment delays the formation of biofouling and, at the same time, UV-induced effects in microorganisms to positively influence the properties of the formed biofilm in terms of its permeability and cleanability.

The coupling of powdered activated carbon with ultrafiltration membranes results in high efficiencies for the retention of microbial contaminants but also organic trace substances. In this context, the mechanisms of retention of antibiotic resistance carriers need to be clarified in more detail in order to ensure high effluent quality. Furthermore, the formation of cover layers has to be optimized in such a way that operational advantages result. These water qualities would allow reuse for urban and agricultural irrigation as well as artificial groundwater recharge.

In 2022, we have launched the new project FreeSpace in collaboration with the University of Duisburg-Essen funded by the German Research Foundation (DFG) to investigate membrane fouling mitigation strategies by employing modified membrane surface patterns and new spacer configurations.