DEPOSENS® Fouling Sensor

Monitoring Fouling & Biofilm in Real Time

DEPOSENS® fouling sensors deliver real-time detection of fouling and biofilm in situ in cooling water, process water, and industrial equipment. With non-invasive, non-destructive detection, chemical usage can be optimised, Legionella risk mitigated, and unplanned downtime prevented.

DEPOTRENDLive · Deposit Thickness / µm
274 207 140 73 6 Deposit Thickness / µm High Deposit Low Deposit Cleaning Day 1 Day 4 Day 8 Day 14 Time
Sensor 1 Sensor 2 Cleaning event
20+
Years experience
5
Key industries
24/7
Real-time data
1,000+
Installation programs
12
Countries served
Product Range

A modular system for every measurement challenge

DEPOSENS® is a modular monitoring platform organised into four families: sensors that measure deposit build-up at the surface, controllers that read and act on that signal, all-in-one compact systems, and ready-to-run plug & play cabinets.

// Why DEPOSENS®

Built to Solve Real Fouling & Deposit Challenges

Fouling, scaling, and biofilm growth silently destroy equipment efficiency, drive up energy and chemical costs, and cause unplanned shutdowns. Our DEPOSENS® monitoring system turns these invisible problems into quantifiable real-time data — so your team can act on facts, not guesswork.

Prevent energy losses

A deposit layer as thin as 0.1 mm can reduce heat exchanger efficiency by up to 10%. DEPOSENS® detects fouling early — before it compounds into costly energy loss — keeping equipment at full capacity around the clock.

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Reduce unplanned downtime

Shift from reactive to predictive maintenance. By giving your team continuous deposit data, DEPOSENS® eliminates surprise shutdowns and lets interventions happen at exactly the right time.

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Extend equipment lifetime

Uncontrolled fouling and biofilm can actively destroy assets through MIC (Microbially Induced Corrosion). DEPOSENS® detects build-up early, protecting pipes, tanks, and heat exchangers from premature failure and extending asset life by years.

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Early warning, in real time

Configurable thresholds trigger immediate alerts via relay, 4–20 mA, or Modbus the moment deposit thickness exceeds your set limits — so operators can act well before efficiency drops or a critical failure occurs.

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Support hygiene & Legionella control

DEPOSENS® proves your cleaning cycles work with clear, quantifiable data — not just visual checks. This scientific proof helps you meet strict rules in the food, beverage, and medical industries.

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Optimise cleaning cycles

Replace fixed-schedule cleaning with condition-based intervals. Reduce chemical consumption, water usage, and process interruptions while keeping surfaces clean.

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Industries Served

Trusted Across Demanding Process Environments

Our DEPOSENS® system has been implemented and proven across numerous industries — from power generation, cooling towers, and paper mills to drinking water and food & beverage. You get real-time data with zero process interruption where reliability matters most.

Cooling Water & Power Plants

Scale and biofilm deposits in cooling circuits and condenser tubes cause major efficiency losses and shutdowns. DEPOSENS® provides real-time monitoring that protects thermal efficiency, supports Legionella control, and lets you act before it costs you.

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Paper Industry

Pitch, filler, and fibre deposits in pipelines and heat exchangers cause unplanned machine stops, paper breaks, and quality defects. DEPOSENS® provides continuous, real-time deposit monitoring in process water lines to keep your mill running smoothly.

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Biogas & Gas Scrubbers

Sulphur, mineral deposits, and iron sludge on packing material and pipework in H₂S scrubbers progressively degrade gas quality and cleaning efficiency. DEPOSENS® delivers continuous deposit quantification to prevent performance losses and optimise maintenance.

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Geothermal Plants

Geothermal brine carries high levels of dissolved silica, carbonates, and sulphates. As it cools, hard scale builds up on well screens, heat exchangers, and reinjection pipes. With early detection from DEPOSENS®, operators can act before the scale gets too thick.

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Borehole & Wells

Iron and manganese deposits reduce pipe cross-section and clog filter sections in drinking water production. Continuous deposit and biofilm monitoring determines the right time for backwashing or cleaning — significantly increasing a well's yield and lifespan.

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Food, Beverage & Drinking Water

Where hygiene is non-negotiable, DEPOSENS® delivers objective, continuous biofilm evidence to validate cleaning cycles and support compliance — proving surfaces are genuinely clean, not just visually inspected.

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About us

Real-Time Deposit Monitoring, Engineered in Germany

Since 2006, LAGOTEC GmbH has developed and manufactured the DEPOSENS® systems as a trusted solution for capturing fouling and deposits in industrial applications. Originating as a research project at Magdeburg-Stendal University of Applied Sciences, we took an idea to market and built it into a recognised brand with customers worldwide. Based in Magdeburg's Wissenschaftshafen, we combine strong application knowledge with reliable German engineering, backed by in-house after-sales service and specialist partners across Europe, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia.

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Magdeburg
Resources

Knowledge & Updates

All our technical insights, press releases, blogs, and the science behind online fouling and deposit monitoring — find them all here.

Blog

Guidance on biofilm monitoring, fouling control, and process efficiency.

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Press releases

Company news, product launches, and announcements.

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Measurement protocols

Documented field data and reference measurements.

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Answers

DEPOSENS® questions, answered

The essentials on how surface-based biofilm and deposit monitoring works — and where it pays off.

What is biofilm and fouling monitoring?

Monitoring deposits such as biofilm, fouling, and scale is the continuous, real-time capture of organic and inorganic build-up on the surfaces of pipes, tanks, and heat exchangers. The DEPOSENS® systems detect and quantify this build-up so operators can clean, dose chemicals, and maintain equipment based on actual conditions rather than fixed schedules.

Is one sensor enough to monitor a whole system?

It depends on your system's complexity. DEPOSENS® sensors capture deposits on the sensor itself, so a single sensor monitors one representative measurement point. Larger or critical systems often use multiple sensors networked to one controller. Our application engineers help you place sensors where they deliver the most representative data.

Does deposit monitoring reduce energy costs?

Yes. The DEPOSENS® system captures changes in thermal resistance. By switching from time-based to condition-based cleaning, operators typically reduce cleaning frequency, chemical dosing, and the energy losses caused by fouled heat exchangers — lowering operating costs while supporting sustainability goals.

Can DEPOSENS® be installed without shutting down the process?

Yes. Our clamp-on surface sensors mount to the outside of existing pipes and vessels — no cutting, no welding, and no process interruption required — making them ideal for retrofitting existing systems.

Does monitoring fouling help prevent Legionella?

Yes. Monitoring fouling such as biofilm in cooling water systems supports Legionella risk management by giving early, data-driven warning of the conditions where bacteria thrive — enabling timely intervention as part of your hygiene concept.

Ready to See Your Fouling Before It Costs You?

Talk to our application engineers and find the right DEPOSENS® sensor for your specific cooling water, process water, or industrial challenge.

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