Current Projects
SENSA – Development of a Modular Multi-Sensor System for Smart Monitoring of Small Wastewater Treatment Plants
Reliable monitoring of small wastewater treatment plants is becoming increasingly important in order to ensure stable treatment performance, reduce maintenance efforts, and minimize environmental impacts. However, existing systems often lack continuous process monitoring and intelligent evaluation of operational conditions.
The research project “SENSA” focuses on the development of a modular and manufacturer-independent multi-sensor platform for decentralized wastewater treatment systems. The project combines optical turbidity measurement, camera-based process monitoring, sludge level detection, and intelligent data analysis within a unified digital monitoring architecture.
The goal of the project is to enable continuous condition monitoring and automated assessment of treatment performance in small wastewater treatment plants. In addition to sensor development, the project includes the creation of a modular electronics platform, digital assistance functions, and data-based evaluation models for predictive monitoring and operational optimization.
The developed system is intended to support operators and service providers through improved transparency, reduced maintenance requirements, and early detection of operational issues. Furthermore, the project establishes the technological foundation for future digital wastewater management and resource-efficient water reuse concepts.
Project duration: May 1, 2026 – April 31, 2028
Project management: Dr. Ruth Rau, Head of Research and Development
Funded by:
In Cooperation:
Completed Research Projects
Reduction of Environmental Impacts from Small Wastewater Treatment Plants through Online Monitoring and Digital Twins for Sustainable Water Resource Management
Monitoring the functionality and sustainable treatment performance of small wastewater treatment plants has so far only been possible to a limited extent due to the lack of suitable sensor technology, restricted real-time monitoring and control capabilities, and long maintenance intervals. As a result, malfunctions and the associated increased discharge of wastewater pollutants such as COD as well as pathogenic microorganisms into the aquatic environment often remain undetected. It can therefore be assumed that many systems operate improperly over extended periods, significantly impacting sensitive receiving waters and groundwater resources.
Against this background, Batchpur GmbH & Co. KG launched the research project “KKAOnline”, funded by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF). The project aims to significantly advance the monitoring and near real-time control of small wastewater treatment plants through the use of digital twins, enabling predictive real-time process control.
The digital integration via remote monitoring is intended to improve the operational supervision and management of decentralized wastewater treatment systems, reduce maintenance efforts, and minimize environmental impacts caused by system malfunctions. In addition, intelligent wastewater quality monitoring based on digital twins provides the technological foundation for the future reuse of treated wastewater within a circular economy framework.
During the project period, the monitoring system will be developed for small wastewater treatment plants with capacities of up to 50 population equivalents (PE).
The project consortium includes:
- Batchpur as manufacturer and provider of remotely monitored wastewater treatment systems,
- WesTest as software development partner,
- BDZ as research and development partner for demonstrator construction and long-term studies,
- and ifak for the implementation of the digital infrastructure and AI-based simulation models.
Project duration: September 1, 2022 – August 31, 2024
Project management: Dr. Ruth Rau
Funded by:
In Cooperation:
TraKuBe – Development of a Modular Tank System for Small Wastewater Treatment Plants
Small wastewater treatment plants are often used in areas without access to centralized sewage infrastructure. These systems typically consist of monolithic tanks made from low-density polyethylene (LDPE) using rotational molding processes, combined with the internal components required for wastewater treatment.
Transporting fully assembled systems to installation sites around the world is costly, as the transport volume corresponds to the full tank volume, resulting in low packing density. The transport volume can be significantly reduced through the use of modular, stackable tank systems and treatment modules.
The objective of the joint research project between Batchpur GmbH & Co. KG and the Institute of Lightweight Engineering and Polymer Technology (ILK) at TU Dresden is therefore the development of a small wastewater treatment system featuring a modular tank design and an integrated treatment module.
As the future tank system will consist of two separate tank halves, an additional connection and sealing system is being developed. This system must be designed for installation under typical construction site conditions while ensuring reliable long-term sealing performance throughout the entire service life of the wastewater treatment plant.
Project duration: May 1, 2021 – April 30, 2023
Contact: Dr. Ruth Rau, Head of Research and Development
Funded by:
In Cooperation:
IDA – Intelligentes Dezentrales Abwassermanagement 4.0
Dieses Projekt erfolgte in Zusammenarbeit mit der Hochschule Merseburg und wurde über den Europäischen Fonds für regionale Entwicklung (EFRE) gefördert. Ziel des Verbundprojektes war die Entwicklung eines innovativen Brauchwasserkreislaufs, indem der gesamte anfallende häusliche Abwasserstrom in einer einzigen nachgeschalteten Behandlungseinheit aufbereitet wird. Bei diesem Projekt wurde unter anderem eine neue Steuerung entwickelt, die den gesamten Brauchwasserkreislauf steuern kann. Das Produkt wird 2022 auf der IFAT 2022 ausgestellt. Wir freuen uns auf Ihren Besuch.
Ansprechpartner: Dr. Ruth Rau, Leiterin Abteilung Forschung und Entwicklung
Funded by:
In Cooperation:
