The core of the HighCon simulation model is a technology library for flexible modeling of concentrate treatment processes. This makes it possible to handle not only the processes investigated in the project, but also comparable future tasks.

To map and optimize a holistic concentrate treatment process, a simulation model was created in the HighCon project using the SIMBA# software from ifak e.V.. This software already offers a broad basis for the static and dynamic simulation of conventional industrial wastewater plants. In particular, it is characterized by the implementation of modern activated sludge models for the simulation of biological treatment steps. Based on the standard libraries provided by the software, the innovative HighCon technologies such as electrodialysis or membrane distillation have been mapped as new modules, which can be flexibly interconnected. In this way, material and energy balances around the entire wastewater treatment can be calculated for different process variants in order to find the best solution for the respective application. The module library was continuously validated with measurement data from the demonstration plant and the material flows of the demonstrator could be reproduced in the simulation. Following the demonstration, the model thus made it possible to predict the salt balance for a possible industrial application, based on reliable data from practice. With the help of the HighCon simulation modules, the knowledge gained can be easily transferred to other possible applications of concentrate treatment. In this way, important levers can be identified at an early stage, process variants can be limited and, ultimately, development effort and costs can be saved.