Our department focuses on three main topics:
- Nitrogen elimination and biofilm processes
- Advanced wastewater treatment and water reuse
- Applied environmental microbiology
In addition to classical processes such as nitrification and denitrification, the research area on nitrogen elimination and biofilm processes is primarily concerned with the development of new technologies for nitrogen removal. The focus is on innovative biological processes such as nitrification and anaerobic ammonium oxidation, or anammox for short. We also deal with the microbial processes surrounding nitrous oxide (N2O) production and reduction in technical systems. Membrane-based biofilm reactors (MABR) are also the subject of our research. To develop and optimise new processes, we operate experimental plants on a laboratory and semi-industrial scale. In addition to experimental approaches, we also use mathematical models for process optimisation.
The research area of advanced wastewater treatment and water reuse aims to develop technical measures and adaptation strategies to reduce substance inputs. In order to meet the requirements of health and water protection, but also resource protection, efficient water management is indispensable. The focus here is primarily on investigations into the removal of anthropogenic trace substances (e.g. drug residues, household and industrial chemicals, pesticides), microplastics, antibiotic-resistant germs and phosphorus and nitrogen compounds from municipal wastewater treatment plants. Here, too, we operate plants on a laboratory, pilot and industrial scale. Furthermore, environmental microbiology also comes into play here in order to eliminate pathogens, viruses and antibiotic-resistant germs from the wastewater and thus evaluate the cleaning efficiency.
The improvement of water quality and the expansion of sustainable water reuse are also anchored in the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. To this end, the research area of water reuse deals with sustainable water resource management and strategies for water reuse, taking into account demographic, economic and climatic changes.
Applied environmental microbiology provides comprehensive methodological approaches and concepts to achieve a fundamental understanding of biological relationships. For this purpose, we operate a state-of-the-art microbiology laboratory .
