Autonomous chlorine electrolysis for safe disinfection and reuse of treated wastewater

#micropollutants #chlorine electrolysis #pathogens #wastewater reuse #disinfection
Overview over Life-Intext testing site in Talavera del la Reina in central Spain, where also the FlexTreat system was tested
Overview over Life-Intext testing site in Talavera del la Reina in central Spain, where also the FlexTreat system was tested

The system developed by AUTARCON enables the safe reuse of treated wastewater. By producing chlorine on-site from sodium chloride (NaCl) and dosing it as needed, waterborne pathogens are effectively eliminated. The system is particularly well-suited for rural regions in the Mediterranean that suffer from water scarcity and require low-maintenance solutions for wastewater treatment and reuse.

AUTARCON’s systems operate using solar power and are almost entirely self-sufficient – the only manual intervention required is the refilling of sodium chloride (NaCl). On-site, a chlorine stock solution is generated via electrolysis and dosed into the treated water proportionally to the flow and depending on the water’s chlorine demand. The regular production of fresh chlorine solution prevents long-term storage, which can lead to chlorine degradation and the formation of undesirable inorganic disinfection by-products.

When combined with nature-based treatment methods – such as constructed wetlands or retention soil filters – the required chlorine dosage can be significantly reduced. Due to the high treatment performance of these systems, especially the nearly complete oxidation of ammonium and the very low TOC concentrations, chlorine dosing can be reduced by up to 80% compared to the doses commonly applied in water reuse systems in Spain. The system can also be integrated with other wastewater treatment technologies as needed.

Integrated sensors and continuous data monitoring allow for reliable online supervision of system performance. Critical operating conditions are detected and reported in real time.

Key advantages at a glance:

  • Solar-powered, autonomous, and location-independent operation
  • No additional chemicals required – only NaCl is used
  • Effective elimination of waterborne pathogens
  • Safe reuse of treated wastewater
  • Compliance with Quality Class A according to EU Regulation 2020/741
  • Very low formation of disinfection by-products
  • Micropollutant reduction
  • Remote monitoring and online data tracking
  • Mobile
Water resource: Treated water, Wastewater
Type of product:
  • Technologies & processes
TRL: 7
    TRL (Technology Readiness Level)
  • TRL 1 - Basic principles observed
  • TRL 2 - Technology concept formulated
  • TRL 3 - Experimental proof of concept
  • TRL 4 - Technology validated in lab
  • TRL 5 - Technology validated in relevant environment (industrially relevant environment in the case of key enabling technologies)
  • TRL 6 - Technology demonstrated in relevant environment (industrially relevant environment in the case of key enabling technologies)
  • TRL 7 - System prototype demonstration in operational environment
  • TRL 8 - System complete and qualified
  • TRL 9 - Actual system proven in operational environment (competitive manufacturing in the case of key enabling technologies; or in space)
Application sector: Agriculture, Cities and municipalities, Industry, Water resource management
Funding measure: WavE
Project: FlexTreat

Contact and partners


Logo AUTARCON GmbH
  • AUTARCON GmbH,
  • Schillerstr. 73,
  • 34117 Kassel
www.autarcon.com
Alexander Goldmaier

AUTARCON GmbH,
Kassel
RWTH Aachen, Institut für Siedlungswasserwirtschaft (ISA),
Aachen

Media library


This site uses third-party website tracking technologies to provide its services. I agree to this and can revoke or change my consent at any time with effect for the future.

Settings Decline AcceptLegal NoticePrivacy Policy