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Water is one of the most important resources worldwide. However, the diverse use of water for irrigation, industrial processes and as drinking water leads to a considerable degradation of water quality. Too often, water with its unique properties as a solvent becomes a mobile waste deposit or a means of transportation. Fortunately, the water used in this way is subject to purification in the natural water cycle and can usually be reused. In recent decades, however, the natural water cycle has become increasingly overburdened and the possibility of reuse is limited by water quality. Technologically, reuse directly after water use and treatment can be shortened without the detour via the natural water cycle. However, this will only succeed if we understand the underlying transport processes and the associated biotic and abiotic conversions. This is exactly what the staff of the institute is working on in numerous projects, which you can find on the following pages.
Betriebsausflug zum BBBank Wildpark des Karlsruher SCEBI
Institute's outing 2025

Before this year's summer party on July 15th, the Water Chemistry and Water Technology research group at the Engler-Bunte-Institut visited the BBBank Wildpark (soccer stadium of the Karlsruher SC). The staff had the opportunity to tour the pitch, the inner parts of stadium as well as VIP boxes. Finally, we were allowed to take the seats of coaches and players in the press room.

Membrane Wetting in situ Visualized by Means of Optical Coherence TomographyEBI
Membrane Wetting in situ Visualized by Means of Optical Coherence Tomography

Wetting of porous hydrophobic membranes is a problem in membrane distillation as well as in membrane biofilm reactors. Doctoral student Nurul Himma has now, for the first time, succeeded in visualizing and quantifying this ‘wetting’ using optical coherence tomography (OCT). This can help to better understand the causes in future applications.

Arbeitsgruppe des EBI an Förderprogramm des Landes BW beteiligtEBI
Microorganisms - Little helpers, big effect

Andrea Hille-Reichel's working group is involved in a project in the Baden-Württemberg state funding programme "Microorganisms as helpers in climate protection". The researchers want to use membrane biofilm reactors to produce chemicals from carbon dioxide and green hydrogen, with a focus on the scalability of the processes.

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