The effects of high extraneous-water influxes on the following are to be investigated:

• waste-water treatment performance
• treatment-plant energy balance
• the burden on the water environment caused by combined sewer overflow systems

The costs caused by extraneous water are to be compared against the costs for refurbishing of sewers and site-drainage pipes. The sustainability of the refurbishing materials and methods used are also to be examined.

Possible problems for buildings and vegetation caused by rises in the water table as a result of sewer sealing projects are also to be recorded. The data and information determined will be verified in practice in a specific municipality.

The aim of this research project is to draft proposals for refurbishing requirements, which can then be used by the decision-making bodies as a basis for the redrafting of the Waste Water Ordinance.

Project title

“Sewer sealing: Effects on treatment-plant cleaning performance and on the local water balance”

Project management

IKT ‑ Institute for Underground Infrastructure

Project participants

• Pirker + Pfeiffer Ingenieure GmbH & Co. KG, Münsingen consultant engineers
• University of Bochum, Institute of Environmental Engineering and Building Ecology
• University of the German Federal Armed Forces, Munich, Institute of Hydrosciences, Sanitary Engineering and Waste Management
• University of the German Federal Armed Forces, Munich, Institute of Hydrosciences, Water Resources Management and Resources Engineering

Client

Federal German Environmental Agency (UBA)

Contact

Thomas Brüggemann
Dipl.-Ing.
T: +49 (0) 209 17806-18
E: brueggemann@ikt.de

 

A test system was created within the framework of Sub-Project I, “Planting of large trees with an underground test system (root trenches) in Osnabrück”, in order to investigate various bedding materials for their effects on the regeneration of tree roots.

Sub-Project II is now pursuing two aims:

• the creation of rehabilitation zones to create optimum growth conditions for the roots of large trees.
• studies of a structurally optimised lava-based substrate with a view to its more extensive use for rainwater storage.

Project title

“Environmentally safe sewer construction by means of root-resistant pipe bedding – Part II: Creation of rehabilitation zones with an underground test system (root trenches) around the large trees planted, at the Osnabrück location”

Project management

IKT ‑ Institute for Underground Infrastructure

Project participants

• Funke Kunststoffe GmbH
• Humberg Metall- und Kunstguss GmbH
• Opitz International GmbH & Co. KG
• Osnabrücker ServiceBetrieb
• Dipl.-Ing. Klaus Schröder
• Stadtwerke Osnabrück AG (municipal utility)
• Peter Stockreiter GmbH & Co. KG
• Dr. Markus Streckenbach (expert consultancy for urban vegetation)
• VulkaTec Riebensahm GmbH

Client

German Federal Environmental Foundation (DBU)

Contact

Christoph Bennerscheidt
Dipl.-Ing.
T: +49 (0) 209 17806-25
E: bennerscheidt@ikt.de

 

What technologic equipment do storm-water tanks need to have when current and future requirements are taken into account? What evaluation methods are appropriate for the reliable assessment, using standardised criteria, of the performance of combined sewage treatment plants on the basis of operational data?

The storm-water tanks in the German states of Baden-Württemberg and North Rhine-Westphalia will be categorised, to enable analysis of the performance of the tanks. A survey to compare the available data and actual operational conditions will then be undertaken on random samples. Average sedimentation efficiencies will be recorded using water samples and on-line measurements for a selection of these tanks. Performance in terms of sedimentation will be analysed in detail.

Theoretical analyses, semi-commercial-scale model tests and commercial-scale tests on lamella clarifiers, will be undertaken in order to improve sedimentation performance. The potential for improved performance will be evaluated, and proposals drafted for future dimensioning and design aimed at assuring the reliable operation of these systems.

The conclusions will consider the potential for rationalisation and improvement of all the tanks.

Project title

“Monitoring and optimisation of combined sewage treatment performance”

Project management

Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT)

Project participants

• Aggerverband (water authority)
• Dahlem – Beratende Ingenieure GmbH & Co Wasserwirtschaft KG (water-management engineering consultancy)
• University of Applied Sciences Münster, Faculty of Civil Engineering, Laboratory for Hydroengineering and Water Management
• IKT ‑ Institute for Underground Infrastructure
• UFT Umwelt- und Fluid-Technik Dr. H. Brombach GmbH (environmental-engineering consultancy)

Client

Ministry for Climate Protection, Environment, Agriculture, Nature Conservation and Consumer Protection of the German State of North Rhine-Westphalia (MKULNV)

Contact

Markus Gillar
Dipl.-Ing.
T: +49 (0) 209 17806-46
E: gillar@ikt.de

 

This is a two Phase project examining the inspection and condition-surveying of pressure sewer pipes and culverts.

In Phase 1, the methods of use, preconditions for use and costs of available technologies for surveying the condition of pressure sewer pipes were collated. Their potential for use in pressure sewer pipes was evaluated and recommendations made.

In Phase 2, the emphasis here will be on the implementation of the recommendations for action drafted in Phase I. Factors that might cause damage to pressure sewer pipes are to be identified, order to provide operators with specific aids to enable more reliable evaluations of condition. The extent to which general principles can be evolved for the determination of condition-survey intervals will be clarified.

Inspection procedures tailored to pressure sewer pipes and recommendations for action for hydraulic pressure tests are also to be developed. A requirement profile for inspection technologies will be drafted, in order to induce manufacturers to further develop technologies adapted to suit pressure sewer pipes.

Project title

“Inspection and condition-surveying of pressure sewer pipes and culverts: Recommendations for action on technical and economic criteria – Phase II”

Project management

IKT ‑ Institute for Underground Infrastructure

Project participants

—

Client

Ministry for Climate Protection, Environment, Agriculture, Nature Conservation and Consumer Protection of the German State of North Rhine-Westphalia (MKULNV)

Contact

Martin Liebscher
Dipl.-Ing.
T: +49 (0) 209 17806-23
E: liebscher@ikt.de

 

Ever greater importance is being attached to the expansion of district-heating networks as energy development progresses. Costs can be saved and resources conserved by installing new piping systems using trenchless technologies.

However, the trenchless installation of district-heating systems frequently encounters scepticism due to a lack of basic knowledge about its use. A research consortium consisting of AGFW, IKT and seven other partners, now intends to identify and eliminate existing technical and non-technical factors limiting trenchless district-heating piping installation.

IKT is performing tests on wear-protection for the plastic jacket of district-heating pipes, and is also participating in market research into products and procedures for trenchless installation of district-heating piping systems.

Project title

“Identification of potentials for and limitations on the use of trenchless installation methods for district-heating piping for comparative tests at points of material changeover/transition”

Project management

AGFW – Projektgesellschaft für Rationalisierung, Information und Standardisierung mbH

Project participants

The German federal economics and energy ministry is the client
• Brugg Rohrsysteme GmbH
• Institute for Geotechnical Engineering, Leibniz University of Hannover1
• Weimar Research Institute for Underground and Piping Engineering
• IKT ‑ Institute for Underground Infrastructure
• Hanover District Heating Research Institute.
• Hannover University of Applied Sciences
• Tracto-Technik GmbH
• Veenker GmbH

Client

Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWi)

Contact

Markus Treinen
M.Sc.
T: +49 (0) 209 17806-26
E: treinen@ikt.de

 

This study has provided guidelines for municipalities and system operators on pragmatic solutions for handling water drainage from private sites comprising:

• Recommendations and examples for assessing drainage water situations
• Conceptual solutions and methods for the assessment and selection of suitable pragmatic provisions
• Tools for supporting the implementation solutions
• Advice on communication with stakeholders in order to achieve higher acceptance of planned provisions by both the public and politicians, and to facilitate advance dialogue with supervisory authorities.

Project title

“Handling of water drainage from private sites – pragmatic conceptual solutions and aids to argumentation”

Download report

(German version only)
Long version (288 pages)
Short version (19 pages)

Project management

IKT ‑ Institute for Underground Infrastructure

Project participants

• NRW Municipal Agency GmbH
• Billerbeck municipal waste-water utility
• Municipality of Borchen
• City of Datteln
• Stadtwerke Essen AG municipal utility
• Immobilien und Abwasserbetrieb Herford property/waste-water utility
• Stadtentwässerung Herne AöR municipal drainage utility
• City of Iserlohn
• Municipality of Kirchlengern
• City of Plettenberg
• Rheda-Wiedenbrück municipal waste-water utility

Client

Ministry for Climate Protection, Environment, Agriculture, Nature Conservation and Consumer Protection of the German State of North Rhine-Westphalia

Contact

Amely Dyrbusch
Dipl.-Ing.
T: +49 (0) 209 17806-38
E: dyrbusch@ikt.de