Fast and accurate testing of water quality: Research of German ultrafiltration specialist inge watertechnologies AG state-aided

The research and development conducted by inge watertechnologies AG within the ,,AQUASens’’ project, receives funding from the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (Bundesministerium für Bildung und Forschung-BMBF). In cooperation with Siemens AG, FRIZ Biochem Gesellschaft für Bioanalytik GmbH, the Institut for Waterchemistry and Chemical Balneology of the Technical University of Munich, IWW Rheinisch-Westfälischen Institute for Water Research GmbH and TZW the Technology Centre for Water Karlsruhe, a new method will be developed to test microbiological water quality.

The aim of the project ,,AQUASens’’ is the development of a decentralised analytical system able to rapidly detect microorganisms and xenobiotics in drinking water as well as ultrapure or process waters. This new method will allow a large reduction in time and manpower needed for traditional culture growth. As analytical platform, an electrochemical detection method on the basis of CMOS-technology will be used, which can detect micro organisms by means of DNA amplification or via anti bodies. In order to perform the analysis, a several hundred fold concentration factor of the micro organisms is necessary, and for this task membrane filtration is the most suitable technology. This membrane needs to have such a surface chemistry that particles will not or hardly stick to its surface.

As a worldwide leading company in the development and production of ultrafiltration membranes, inge watertechnologies received the task of developing a membrane and module with the required characteristics. Martin Heijnen, head of the department for membrane development of the German company explains: „The demands on the membrane in this project are enormous. They need to have a high or complete rejection for bacteria and viruses, but at the same time they need to achieve a very high flow at a low transmembrane pressure (a high permeability). Even more important is the adsorptive behaviour of the particles on the membrane. As the concentrate of the membrane filtration process needs to be analysed, the complete removal of all the organisms from the surface of the membrane needs to be achieved. To be able to incorporate these demands, inge needs to adjust its membrane chemistry.“

The internally developed and patented Multibore membranes of inge watertechnologies already achieve many of the characteristics necessary for application in the AQUASens project. Martin Heijnen: „The stability of the membranes is one of the K.O.-criteria. Our Multibore membranes have proven they can handle many water types and already show a very good cleaning ability combined with exceptional membrane strength. By means of the current developments in regards to increasing particle rejection, anti-fouling properties as well as the porosity of the Multibore membrane, we will not only be able to fulfil all the criteria asked for in the AQUASens project, but also increase our technological advantage over other competitors.“ As is the case with other research projects, any technological improvements accomplished will be incorporated into inge’s existing product range of membranes and modules.

The technology developed within AQUASens achieves a fast detection of dangerous microorganisms in for example air conditioning or hot water systems in public buildings or hospitals, and enables corresponding measures to be taken before the outbreak leads to health problems. Using the AQUASens method, communal drinking water as well as public and private swimming pools, will be safer due to the very short processing times for the water analysis. Also for the food and beverage or pharmaceutical industries where ulltra pure water is often needed the developed technology will be extremely helpful.

About inge watertechnologies AG
The company inge watertechnologies AG, based in the town of Greifenberg on the Ammersee lake in Bavaria, Germany, employs more than 80 staff and is the world's leading provider of ultrafiltration technology, a membrane process used to treat drinking water, process water, wastewater and sea water.
With a global reach enhanced by its network of partners, the company has implemented numerous reference products around the globe featuring its cutting-edge technology. Its range of products include highly-efficient ultrafiltration modules and cost-effective, space-saving rack designs as the core components of water treatment plants, rounded off by superb levels of technical customer support. All the company's products are based on the in-house development of its patented Multibore® membrane technology, providing the top-quality standards for which German-made goods are known.
The extremely small-pore filters of the Multibore® membrane reliably intercept not only particles, but also microorganisms such as bacteria and viruses, thereby providing a dependable source of clean water.
Deployment of the inge technology also offers significant advantages over conventional water treatment methods, such as rapid and easy installation of the modules and stable, extremely resilient membranes. This makes planning a water treatment plant much simpler while ensuring low-cost installation and operation. And all of this comes with a guarantee of long-lasting reliability.

inge watertechnologies AG
Flurstrasse 27
86296 Greifenberg
Germany

Tanja Gebhart
Manager Marketing
Phone +49 8192 997-712
E-Mail: tgebhart@inge.ag

This release was published on openPR.