By using functionalized, magnetic adsorber particles in combination with magnetic separation techniques, it is possible to separate selected substances from process solutions directly and independently of the presence of other dissolved substances and other suspended solid particles. This approach is to be used to separate and recover phosphate from wastewater. There, the specific and effective binding of phosphate to the particles and the efficient separation of the particles and almost complete elution of the phosphate are important. As part of WERA, an optimized, scalable magnetic separation system is to be developed and constructed for use in wastewater streams. An important aspect here is the modeling of separation behavior with the aid of computational fluid dynamics simulations (CFD), taking into account high volume flows and a high separation efficiency for finely dispersed magnetic particles. In the first part of the project, magnetic particles are produced both self-synthetized using standard processes and in cooperation with other working groups at WERA. They are used for conceptual preliminary tests on suitable magnetic separator geometries. Particles with varying size, geometry and surface functionalizations are used to take into account the magnetic separation properties changed by the modifications.

The consumption of natural resources by modern industrial societies is already leading to an alarming shortage of essential raw materials. As an important raw material in fertilizer production, phosphorus is one of the 30 critical raw materials currently listed by the EU, which have a high supply risk and are of great economic importance. Municipal wastewater and sewage sludge have a high substitution potential for geogenic phosphorus. Germany was one of the first countries to include requirements for phosphorus recovery in its legislation.

In WERA​​​​​​​, 11 cooperative research projects on the recovery of the important raw material phosphorus (P) from wastewater are being worked on together using novel natural scientific and engineering approaches through to technical implementation. In WERA​​​​​​​​​​​​​​, various processes, such as the synthesis of tailor-made adsorbers and innovative separation units for phosphorus recovery will be developed, combined in process chains and validated on a wastewater recycling pilot plant. Suitable methods for process analysis and characterization will be extended and the chemical-physical relationships will be studied using molecular and thermodynamic simulations. The research findings of WERA​​​​​​​ can be transferred to many other fields of the circular economy. 

Further information about WERA