Commissioning and optimization of an innovative system for electrolytic water disinfection in greenhouses

Tested in experimental scale, an innovative system for electrolytic water disinfection in greenhouses (SeWiG) was very efficient. It was developed by Humboldt-Universitat zu Berlin and newtec Umwelttechnik GmbH. With scaling up this system for industrial greenhouses, the new technology will be tested, validated and optimized under practical conditions. The implemented technology will be incrementally scaled-up. After successful installation of the disinfection system within a separated part of an industrial greenhouse, two large-scaled greenhouses will use the on-site produced hypochlorite as a disinfectant for irrigation or drain water applied for vegetables and ornamental plants. The effects on plant growth, yield and product quality will be controlled and particular attention is paid to chlorate and perchlorate. Due to the first results, both pesticides are under the limits given by the European Commission. This can be related to the short dwell time of the disinfectant before dosing based on the on-demand production of fresh hypochlorite. Hypochlorite is dosed by the method of shock disinfection, which might decrease the accumulation of unwanted ingredients in plants. The special feature of the new system for electrolytic water disinfection is the functional superiority over common methods such as filtration, ultraviolet irradiation, heating, ozonation or chlorine dioxide. Worth highlighting is its high effectiveness against plant viruses and the reduced risk for users, plants and the environment while less energy is needed, compared to other disinfection systems. Besides a reduced formation of algae biofilm, a reduced application of fertilizers is expected. All parameters mentioned before will be monitored within this study.