Processes of Wastewater Treatment

The class Processes of Wastewater Treatment is offered in the winter term for the Master Study Programs Civil Engineering, Environmental Engineering and Environmental Natural Sciences (Geoecology) as part of the module Processes of Wastewater and Sludge Treatment. This module presents all general important fundamental knowledge for further studies of sanitary and environmental engineering.

Wastewater Treatment Live: We will be offering a field trip to the Wastewater Treatment Plant Steinhof

The class introduces all important processes of wastewater treatment. It starts with the discussion of wastewater parameters, especially organic carbon compounds, nitrogen and phosphorus compounds and relevant toxic substances. Next, mechanical wastewater treatment (rakes, screens, sedimentation, flotation) and procedures for tank mixing are presented. Biological wastewater treatment is another important topic of the class and for its understanding biochemical fundamentals of degradation of carbon compounds, nitrogen and phosphate removal are explained. The activated sludge process is part of the class as well as special treatment procedures (e.g. biofiltration, membrane processes, SBR-reactors) and chemical treatment processes (precipitation and flocculation). The class finishes with the discussion of aeration and gas exchange.

In addition to the lecture a tutorial takes place (second half of the semester), where special topics are discussed in detail and calculation and dimensioning examples especially for the dimensioning of primary and secondary sedimentation and aeration systems are practiced.