Advanced oxidation (AOP)

With an AOP, micropollutants such as medicine residues and pesticides, can be efficiently reduced or even removed from the water. (Waste) water flows are also created in industry that must not be discharged into the sewer without treatment. With a pretreatment, here too, the micro-pollutants can be oxidized with an AOP so that the purified water can be discharged normally. This saves high waste water costs, is more sustainable and a cheaper solution than burning contaminated water or the remaining sludge. In industry, for example, waste water can be treated before it can be piled into the waste water discharge.

What is AOP

AOP systems make use of the oxidation potential of hydroxyl radicals (OH^•), the strongest oxidizing agent available in water. By photolysis (oxidation by means of UV-C light) of ozone or hydrogen peroxide creates OH^• radicals in the water. These radicals are very effective in oxidizing micropollutants and thus reduce organic and inorganic pollution in the water. But it can also reduce chlorine disinfection byproducts, such as THM and chloramines, for example. The lifespan of OH^• radicals is extremely short, which means that the entire treatment process takes place in the UV irradiation chamber.