Contact: Jan Ludorf

Funding: DFG GRK 2908

As an essential component of fertilizers, phosphorus (P) is an indispensable resource for food production and is one of the critical raw materials listed by the EU with a high supply risk. The Research Training Group DFG GRK 2908 - WERA is dedicated to the sustainable recovery of this important raw material from wastewater streams. The focus is on the development and interdisciplinary research of new recovery methods through adsorption and crystallization/ precipitation.

A central aspect of the project is a deeper understanding of the kinetics and dynamics of crystallization and precipitation processes. These processes are largely controlled by influencing factors such as temperature, concentration of flocculants, pH value and flow conditions. In order to precisely analyze these influencing factors, an innovative sensor system based on dynamic extinction spectroscopy (DES) is being developed and implemented. This high-resolution measurement method enables in-situ recording of particle size, particle distribution and their changes over time.

The data obtained by DES not only provide insights into the dynamics of aggregation and breakage of the particles, but also serve as a basis for modeling the underlying microprocesses. Here, the population balance method (PBM) and the discrete element method (DEM) are used to determine growth rates and decay probabilities of the particles and to optimize the overall processes.