Wastewater treatment and process water recycling

Water treatment is facing major challenges due to the increasing concentration of pollutants and the associated concerns. In particular, substances that are difficult to biodegrade, such as medicines or pesticides, require new, efficient methods. Plasma processes are an environmentally friendly and cost-effective alternative that can be developed specifically for different requirements. In contrast, many conventional processes, such as ozonation or UV treatment, are not very efficient for stable compounds. Overall, plasma technologies can be used to counteract emissions into the environment, particularly via wastewater. Plasma can also be used effectively against problematic microorganisms, e.g. legionella and multi-resistant microorganisms. This means that water as a resource can be better utilized as a means of production and can be used more efficiently in recirculation systems. In addition, natural pollutants such as cyanotoxins, which impair the drinking water supply due to the increased occurrence of algal blooms, can also be effectively countered. Pollutant degradation in soils, e.g. of perfluorinated hydrocarbons, has now also become increasingly important in connection with water runoff. Together with the possibilities arising from the processing of biomass, soils can also potentially be regenerated.

The methods for bringing a plasma into or close to the liquid usually differ significantly from those for treating gases. However, there are also additional possibilities for utilizing reaction processes in the liquid, which can not only be advantageous for the degradation of pollutants, but also open up new paths for chemical syntheses.