Environment

Modern phosphate removal with GEH® — from small streams to large lakes. This is how we promote a livable and healthy environment.

The problem

High phosphate levels are a serious problem for lakes, rivers and natural waters

Introduced via wastewater, agriculture or natural sources, phosphate acts as a fertiliser and rapidly promotes algal blooms. This leads to eutrophication and, in the worst case, ecological collapse — with serious consequences for aquatic plants, fish and other animals. GEH® offers a process that helps maintain or restore the natural balance of surface waters.

Phosphate removal with GEH® works through a purely physical adsorption process — no chemicals involved. And it scales: small natural swimming pools can be treated just as effectively as lakes holding more than 600,000 m³.

Algae-free waters

GEH® for phosphate removal in surface waters

Phosphate is a nutrient found in fertilisers, detergents and food, and every living thing needs it. In water, though, too much of it accelerates the growth of algae. When the algae die and sink, microorganisms decompose them and use up the oxygen, which suffocates fish and other aquatic life. GEH® binds phosphate through selective adsorption, an energy-free and sustainable process that takes the nutrient out of the water.

Natural swimming pools

GEH® for water purification in swimming waters

Even swimmers bring phosphate into lakes and natural pools, through sunscreen and skincare products, fish feed, and leaves falling into the water. GEH® removes that phosphate before eutrophication sets in and makes the water unpleasant or even unhealthy to swim in.

Broad-spectrum removal

GEH® — for phosphate removal and more

Beyond phosphate, the same adsorbent binds heavy metals and other problem substances, from arsenic to silicate.

As

Arsenic

Cu

Copper

Mo

Molybdenum

U

Uranium

V

Vanadium

PO₄

Phosphate

Pb

Lead

Ni

Nickel

Cu

Copper

Sb

Antimony

H₂O₂

Hydrogen peroxide

H₂S

Hydrogen sulphide

Sustainable treatment

Iron hydroxide granules for sustainable water treatment

GEH® is granulated iron hydroxide, a filter material that is both environmentally friendly and cost-effective. Whether you need to control phosphate, reduce arsenic or meet strict legal limits, GEH® covers all of these uses. Because it works by physical sorption, it binds substances like phosphate and arsenic and takes them out of the water cycle completely, protecting surface waters without adding chemicals to the ecosystem.

Water protection: here’s how to do it right. We don’t just supply a water treatment product. We advise you on how to get the most out of GEH® in your systems, and we work with you on measures and improvements at every stage. Talk to us to find out what GEH® can do for your water.

Chemical composition	β-FeOOH and Fe(OH)3
dry matter content	58% (± 10%)
Iron content, based on dry matter	600 g/kg (± 10 %)
Grain size range	0.2 - 2.0 mm
Undersized grain percentage	< 10%
Total undergrain + overgrain	< 20%
Bulk density, backwashed	1150 kg/m3 (± 10 %)
Specific surface area (BET method)	approx. 300 m2/g

Fill height of the absorber bed	0.8 - 1.6 m
Freeboard height	50% of the fill height
Filter speed	≤ 20 m/h
Empty bed time (EBCT)	≥ 3 minutes
Permissible pressure loss	max. 0.5 bar
Backwash speed	26 m/h (water flush only)
Backwash duration	until the clear water drains

For further information, the following downloads are available for you.

PDF data sheets — click to download.