A research team in central Germany is testing a compact wastewater treatment plant designed to operate entirely on solar power.<\/p>\n
Built for disaster and emergency settings, the system relies on a reactor, floating foam cubes, and microorganisms to clean polluted water.<\/p>\n
Led by Prof. Dr.-Ing. Markus R\u00f6hricht at the Technical University of Central Hesse (THM), the project has moved from laboratory research to real-world trials.<\/p>\n
Since September, the pilot plant has been running at a wastewater treatment facility in the town of Lollar.<\/p>\n
The project, called EnsAK, has received \u20ac242,500 in funding from the Federal Ministry for Research, Technology, and Space.<\/p>\n
It will run for two years. Industry partners Saygin & Stein and EMW filtertechnik GmbH are involved, alongside the Lollar-Staufenberg Zweckverband, which operates local wastewater infrastructure.<\/p>\n
How the reactor works<\/p>\n
The small treatment plant was installed in Lollar within a few days by Saygin & Stein.<\/p>\n
Engineers designed it to function under crisis conditions, where infrastructure is damaged or power supplies are limited.<\/p>\n
THM student Louis M\u00fcller manages the plant on-site. He visits every two days and more often if problems arise.<\/p>\n
M\u00fcller studies for a master\u2019s degree in Climate Protection, Environmental and Safety Engineering.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe pre-treated wastewater from the treatment plant flows into the reactor. It has already been cleaned of coarse dirt in the screening building and passed through a grit and grease trap,\u201d M\u00fcller explains.<\/p>\n
Inside the reactor, foam cubes move continuously through the wastewater.<\/p>\n
Microorganisms grow on the cube surfaces and form a regenerating biofilm. <\/p>\n
As the biofilm degrades, sludge settles in a secondary clarifier.<\/p>\n
After treatment, the water can be discharged into a river. In Lollar, it undergoes one additional treatment step.<\/p>\n
Performance and testing<\/p>\n
According to R\u00f6hricht, the pilot plant already meets strict German standards.<\/p>\n
\u201cWith our experimental wastewater treatment plant, we can already comply with the strict limit for organic pollutant load that applies to large wastewater treatment plants in Germany.\u201d<\/p>\n
The system reduces chemical oxygen demand by 90 percent. <\/p>\n