STEP Junior Research Group ReWaRare

Pure Water and Rare Materials: Resource-Efficient Removal and Recovery of Critical Raw Materials from Water and Wastewater Streams Using Membrane Capacitive Deionization

• Funding: 1.4 million euros, ESF PLUS STEP
• Project duration: November 1, 2026, to October 31, 2028
• Project partners:
  • Chair of Hydrochemistry and Water Technology,
  • Chair of Urban Water Management,
  • Chair of Process Engineering in Hydro Systems,
  • Chair of Waste Management and Circular Economy and
  • Chair of Groundwater Systems at TU Dresden

Summary

Lithium, cobalt, nickel, and other metals are key raw materials for high-tech and industrial products, and Europe’s security of supply for these materials is at risk due to dependence on imports. Membrane Capacitive Deionization (MCDI) is an innovative electrochemical separation technology that enables the selective separation of metals from black mass extracts derived from battery recycling, geothermal waters, or mining wastewater. Compared to conventional methods, MCDI is characterized by low energy consumption, high selectivity, and minimal environmental impact, as demonstrated by laboratory tests.

As part of the STEP ReWaRare Early-Career Research Group, the goal is to scale up MCDI technology from the laboratory and pilot plant scale to practical application. To this end, it will be tested on metal-containing wastewater streams to evaluate its practical suitability and industrial applicability. The subgoals of the project are:

• the characterization and selection of three metal-containing wastewater streams based on their potential to conserve resources and reduce environmental impact
• the production of selective electrode materials from biogenic waste materials
• determining the separation selectivity and efficiency in laboratory and pilot-scale facilities
• the scale-up of the process through simulations of flow and mass transfer
• the use of machine learning to identify complex relationships between material properties, operating parameters, and separation performance
• as well as a comparative life cycle assessment of MCDI technology.

Six early-career researchers work together in an interdisciplinary manner within the early-career research group, supported by postdocs and principal investigators from the participating Chairs.