Micropollutants in wastewater determined too slowly to date 

80 percent of micropollutant pollution in wastewater from large municipalities must be avoided from 2035 onwards. This requirement of the EU Municipal Wastewater Directive can only be met by collecting comprehensive data and treating pollution in a targeted manner.

This will be difficult to achieve with the current standard analysis of individual samples, which are sent to central laboratories and tested for pharmaceutical residues, pesticides or plasticisers, for example. This approach is time-consuming and does not allow for immediate response to acute pollution.

In future, micropollutants in wastewater are to be analysed on site

In the MikroGraph project, an innovative analysis system for the on-site detection of micropollutants in wastewater is being developed. The aim is to quantify at least three of twelve relevant substances from the EU Directive (91/271/EEC) with high precision and a low detection limit (0.003 µg/l).

This will be achieved by combining graphene sensor technology, separation column technology and mass spectrometry, which are being developed in parallel and mutually validated within the project. These three technologies will be combined with microfluidics and intelligent control to create a compact, automated solution for sewage treatment plants and industry.

By comparing measurement results from the same sample, deviations can be detected, causes analysed and the strengths of each method specifically utilised. The result is a robust on-site analysis system that detects micropollutants precisely, efficiently and reliably.

IMMS develops evaluation electronics for graphene sensors

IMMS will develop special evaluation electronics for graphene sensors. To this end, IMMS designs, simulates and characterises circuits for precise current measurement in the nA range and fast signal acquisition. It implements multi-channel electronics, integrates them into the laboratory simulator and controls its processes in real time. Finally, the results will be incorporated into a compact system for drinking water and wastewater analysis to enable reliable on-site micro-pollutant detection.