Fraunhofer Institute for Interfacial Engineering and Biotechnology IGBElectroagglomeration and separation of synthetic nanoparticles from process and waste water of surface coating to minimize risks for health and environment
The rapid market introduction of products containing synthetic nanoparticles (ENP, Engineered Nanoparticles), including in the paint and coatings industry, has raised concerns about their impact on health and the environment. For example, nanoparticles in waterbodies cause damage to the gills of fish and crustaceans. Currently, nanoparticles can only be effectively removed by energy-intensive separation processes such as reverse osmosis. The NANOFLOC consortium sees a new market in the development of a technology that removes nanoparticles at comparatively low cost by means of electro-agglomeration. Electroagglomeration is inexpensive, compact and environmentally friendly. It is based on the destabilization and agglomeration of nanoparticles with the help of electrical fields and electrochemical processes, without the addition of chemicals. The aim of NANOFLOC is to develop an innovative reactor with intelligent process control for the effective separation of nanoparticles.
