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Water Laboratory

Kipprinne im Wasserlabor der FH Potsdam
© Axel Schäfer

Knowledge of water management and hydraulic engineering as well as urban water management can be explored further in the water laboratory of the Civil Engineering department. The experimental facilities are used to visualise hydraulic phenomena of water flowing in channels and pipes. Investigations into the chemical, physical and microbiological quality of drinking, surface, ground and waste water can be carried out.

Utilisation

  • Field measurements, water analyses
  • hydraulic investigations
  • wastewater disposal concepts
  • Computer simulation calculations for flow problems
  • Water protection concepts
  • Risk assessment of soil and groundwater contamination
  • Remediation concepts for lake remediation and contaminated sites

Equipment

  • Hydrodynamic multi-purpose stand
  • laminar/turbulent flow
  • pipe friction losses/local losses
  • Pump stand serial/parallel
  • Visualisation (bridge) pier flow
  • Channel flow
  • Pitot tube dynamic pressure measurements
  • Outflow from openings, alternating surge
  • Overflow over weirs
  • Spring pot, water jet pump

For channels, pipes and natural watercourses, various devices are available for electromagnetic flow measurement, Jens rod method and impeller method.

Analytical equipment is available for the examination of wastewater, drinking water, surface water or groundwater.

Microbiological examinations can be carried out semi-quantitatively (smear test) and microscopically (up to 1000x transmitted light and phase contrast).

Software for the calculation of hydrological and hydraulic processes for:

  • running waters
  • sewer and pipe networks
  • sewage treatment plants
  • groundwater flows

The previous projects of the experimental area for water recycling (experimental plant sewage treatment plant) under weathering influences are:

  • Purification of slaughterhouse wastewater in plant beds
  • Soil filter for the purification of groundwater contaminated with CHC and BTEX
  • Improvement of hydraulic capacity and phosphate retention in the soil filter
  • Near-natural wastewater concept for arid climate zones (using plant beds)
  • Rotting tanks for mechanical and biological pre-treatment of domestic wastewater (with downstream soil filters)
  • Influence of external heat supply in the wastewater retting tank (for downstream soil filters)

Study project Mellensee

In the 6th semester, students specialising in transport and water management (VW) work on a study project on the subject of water quality. Since 1999, we have been travelling to the Mellensee (Teltow-Fläming district) every June to carry out water quality studies.

The aim of the study project is to analyse the problem area of nutrient input via the surface waters flowing into the lake and the internal material balance.
As a result, the influence of the inflow situation and the internal conditions of the Mellensee on the development of the water quality will be assessed.

Some of these are field parameters (e.g. conductivity, depth of visibility, oxygen content, pH value) and some are laboratory parameters. For this purpose, water samples are taken and analysed in the water laboratory at the University of Applied Sciences Potsdam (e.g. nitrogen, phosphorus, BOD, COD).

These laboratory analyses are carried out by students as examples. The students learn how to use the relevant measuring instruments, the significance of the individual parameters and the effects of these on water quality.

Contact

Prof. Dr. Jens Nowak
Professor of Hydraulics
Study Advisor for Urban Water Management (B. Eng.)
Head of Water Laboratory
Prof. Dr.-Ing. Gunar Gutzeit
Professor for Infrastructure Planning Specialising in Water Supply Systems
Academic Staff Member
Laboratory Engineer in the Water Laboratory