PlasRes
Development of a decentralized plasma process for the decontamination of hospital wastewater by removing antibiotics and antibiotic-resistant microorganisms
Duration from 09.12.2022 - 30.05.2024, funded by the Deutsche Bundesstiftung Umwelt (DBU) under the funding code (FKZ) 37898/01-23.
The number of deaths due to infections with antibiotic-resistant microorganisms is estimated by the WHO to be around 10 million by 2050. These infectious diseases therefore pose an alarming threat to humans and animals worldwide. With regard to zoonoses in particular, the interaction between animals and humans on the spread of antibiotic resistance must be taken into account in a "One Health" approach. This also requires novel methods with which microorganisms and pharmaceuticals can be removed at the points of release in order to prevent them from spreading in the water cycle. In hospitals in particular, the high and above all unavoidable demand for antibiotics leads to heavily contaminated wastewater.
As part of the study, a flexible on-site process is being developed together with TIA Technologien zur Industrie-Abwasser-Behandlung GmbH to efficiently break down unavoidable microbiological and chemical contaminants - such as those found in hospital wastewater. As part of the cooperation with a hospital and other users, the efficiency of plasma is being compared with other water treatment processes, e.g. UV or ozone. In this way, possible advantages of plasma treatment for decentralized use at so-called hotspots, but also for a 4th purification stage in municipal sewage treatment plants, are to be researched.
