Fraunhofer Institute for Material and Beam Technology IWSKOWASYS
Coating system with an 850 mm coating height for the production of ta-C:X electrodes. These offer a potential window comparable to BDD and enable innovative applications in electrochemical wastewater treatment.
Motivation
The KOWASYS project addresses the urgent water technology challenges in the Lusatia region, which are increasingly aggravated not only by well-known issues such as sulfate contamination, corrosion, and massive iron precipitation, but also by micropollutants and so-called emerging pollutants. In particular, regional water scarcity intensifies the impacts of these contaminants. The project focuses on the development and demonstration of innovative, cost-efficient electrochemical treatment systems for the removal of sulfate and micropollutants. In addition to water purification, the aim is to integrate the resulting by-products into the regional circular economy in a sustainable and beneficial way.
Aims and Procedure
KOWASYS aims to develop and demonstrate innovative and cost-efficient electrochemical systems for water treatment in the Lusatia region. A central focus is the development of large-area, functional ta-C(:X)-coated electrodes intended to replace the currently expensive BDD electrodes. Another key aspect is the further advancement of electrochemical processes for the elimination of micropollutants. The demonstration will be carried out using real Lusatian water samples at the Hoyerswerda site. Close collaboration with regional partners ensures the practical applicability of the technology and its future transferability to the regional water management sector.
Innovation and Perspectives
KOWASYS will generate fundamental materials science insights into the cause-and-effect mechanisms involved in electrochemical water treatment, particularly with regard to layer structure, morphology, and defects. The findings will directly contribute to the development and implementation of practical, sustainable water purification concepts for the Lusatia region. In addition, the results are also relevant for other applications in which the efficient removal of sulfates and micropollutants plays an important role. The project makes a significant contribution to resource efficiency and the circular economy while supporting the structural transformation of Lusatia through innovative and environmentally friendly technologies.