Who We Are
February 2025
09.02.2025 | Faculty of Civil and Environmental Engineering | Institute IWAR | Amir Asadi, M.Sc.| 1
Project Team
Prof. Dr. rer. nat. Dr.-Ing. M.Sc.
Holger Lutze Alessio Campitelli Amir Asadi
Head of Chair Project coordinator Project team member
09.02.2025 | Faculty of Civil and Environmental Engineering | Institute IWAR | Amir Asadi, M.Sc.| 2
Prof. Dr. Holger Lutze
Work experiences
• Since 2008 Scientific advisor at IWW Water Centre
Mülheim a. d. Ruhr
• 2008 – 2020 Researcher at University Duisburg-Essen
PhD in Chemistry at University Duisburg-
Essen (2013)
• 2013-2020 Head of the research group “Oxidation
Processes” at Instrumental
Analytical Chemistry department at
University Duisburg-Essen
• 2013 PhD in Chemistry
• 2007 M.Sc. Eawag Aquatic Research/ Switzerland
09.02.2025 | Faculty of Civil and Environmental Engineering | Institute IWAR | Amir Asadi, M.Sc.| 3
Dr.-Ing. Alessio Campitelli
2009 – 2014 studied B.Sc. and M.Sc. Environmental Engineering at TU
Darmstadt
2015 – 2023 worked as Research associate and Post Doc at Chair
Material Flow Analysis and Resource Economy (Institut
IWAR, FB 13)
since 2023 working as external consultant at Merck KGaA for topics
related to Life Cycle Assessment and Circular Economy
since 2024 working as Post-Doc at the Chair Environmental Analytics
and Pollutants (UAS at Institut IWAR, FB 13)
09.02.2025 | Faculty of Civil and Environmental Engineering | Institute IWAR | Amir Asadi, M.Sc.| 4
What is W24Africa?
Environmental issues are still an important topic for both
Germany and Africa today and for the future.
→ Fundamental problems in waste, wastewater and water
technology will be addressed.
→ A technical and social change in the utilisation of resources
must take place, green and bioeconomic approaches should
be considered.
→ The project builds on the previous projects 'Trans4Biotec'
and 'Biotec2Future' and creates in-depth knowledge in
the academic and non-academic area.
https://rgaonline.it/article/bioeconomy/
09.02.2025 | Faculty of Civil and Environmental Engineering | Institute IWAR | Amir Asadi, M.Sc.| 5
Study Programme –
Modules overview (W24Africa)
Basics of waste Resource management in
M1 M6
management the bio economy
Emission control and Biotechnological
M2 M7
climate protection engineering
Management of hazardous Waste management and
M3 M8
waste grey biotechnology
Material flow analysis and Environmental practical
M4 M9
life cycle assessment training
Design of treatment plants Emission Monitoring and
M5 M10
and project management Emission Protection
M11 Renewable Energies
M12 Bioeconomy, Biotechnology and Bio-waste Management
M13 Industrial Wastewater Treatment
09.02.2025 | Faculty of Civil and Environmental Engineering | Institute IWAR | Amir Asadi, M.Sc.| 6
Project Duration
Funded program:
Practice partnerships between universities
and companies in Germany and in Africa
supported by the DAAD with funds from the Federal
2023-2026 Ministry for Economic Cooperation and
Development (BMZ)
„W24Africa“
Green Waste & Water Management for a Sustainable Africa
Duration: 01.10.2023 – 31.12.2026
09.02.2025 | Faculty of Civil and Environmental Engineering | Institute IWAR | Amir Asadi, M.Sc.| 7
German Partners
Ingut GmbH (Roßdorf)
TU Darmstadt,
Institute IWAR, FG UaS
Abfallwirtschaftsbetrieb des
Landkreises Alzey-Worms
(Alzey)
09.02.2025 | Faculty of Civil and Environmental Engineering | Institute IWAR | Amir Asadi, M.Sc.| 8
Foreign Partners
UNIVERSITY CADI AYYAD
(Morocco, Marrakech)
UNIVERSITY ABDELMALEK ESSAADI
(Morocco, Tétouan)
UNIVERSITY NANGUI ABROGOUA
(Ivory Coast, Abidjan)
ONG Cote d’Ivoire
09.02.2025 | Faculty of Civil and Environmental Engineering | Institute IWAR | Amir Asadi, M.Sc.| 9
Amir Mohammad Sheikh Asadi
Ph.D. Researcher– Technical University of Darmstadt - Germany
Since 2022 Ph.D. Researcher
Environmental Analytics and Pollutants
Institut IWAR
Technical University of Darmstadt
Ph.D. Thesis Fate of biocide runoff from building materials:
ecological risks and on-site treatment options
2021-2022 Researcher at Department of Sanitary
Engineering
Gdansk University of Technology, Poland
2020 – 2021 Researcher at South Tehran Wastewater
Treatment Plant, Tehran, Iran
2017 – 2019 Process Engineer & Researcher at Mojan
Water and Wastewater Engineering Co.,
Tehran Iran
Contact: [email protected]
09.02.2025 | Faculty of Civil and Environmental Engineering | Institute IWAR | Amir Asadi, M.Sc.| 10
On top, you see
a Piping and
Instrumentation
Diagram(P&ID)
for the Digesters
unit, and on the
bottom, a view
of the South
Tehran
Wastewater
Treatment Plant
in Tehran, Iran.
09.02.2025 | Faculty of Civil and Environmental Engineering | Institute IWAR | Amir Asadi, M.Sc.| 11
My Current Research : Onsite Treatment
▪ Problem Statement
➢ Micropollutant emission from urban rainwater runoff
➢ Deterioration of groundwater quality (65% of the EU's drinking water)
▪ Driving Forces
The need to remove them (micropollutants) at wastewater
treatment facilities drives up the cost of treatment, and
removal is not always possible. The proposal amending
water directives therefore aims to reduce emissions at
Deposited & in situ micropollutants
PJ, De Buyck. et al. Rev Environ Sci Biotechnol 20, 549–606 (2021)
source.
09.02.2025 | Faculty of Civil and Environmental Engineering | Institute IWAR | Amir Asadi, M.Sc.| 12
My Current Research : Onsite Treatment
OR
TiO2/CNTs MOFs Building materials Active Building
materials
▪ Objectives
- Development of photocatalytic building
materials
✓ UV-A or visible light-driven catalysts
✓ High adsorption capacity
✓ Synergistic effects
- Efficient control of micropollutants at Metal part
Carbonic part
source
Metal Organic Frameworks: MOFs
Carbon Nanotubes: CNTs
09.02.2025 | Faculty of Civil and Environmental Engineering | Institute IWAR | Amir Asadi, M.Sc.| 13
Rain event
Rain Intensity: 30 mm/h
Rain Duration: 2 minutes
09.02.2025 | Faculty of Civil and Environmental Engineering | Institute IWAR | Amir Asadi, M.Sc.| 14
UV Light setup
UV Intensity: 15
µW/cm²
Irradiation
Duration: Three
8-hour sessions
09.02.2025 | Faculty of Civil and Environmental Engineering | Institute IWAR | Amir Asadi, M.Sc.| 15
Photocatalytic Degradation of Micropollutants
Untreated Roofs
Treated roofs with catalysts
MCPA is a widely used phenoxy herbicide and considered as a micropollutant.
09.02.2025 | Faculty of Civil and Environmental Engineering | Institute IWAR | Amir Asadi, M.Sc.| 16
Tell me
about
yourselves
09.02.2025 | Faculty of Civil and Environmental Engineering | Institute IWAR | Amir Asadi, M.Sc.| 17
Industrial
Wastewater
Treatment
Unit 1: Introduction
Instructor: Amir Asadi
February 2025
09.02.2025 | Faculty of Civil and Environmental Engineering | Institute IWAR | Amir Asadi, M.Sc.| 18
Contents
Overview and Definitions
Introduction
Industrial Wastewater Challenges
to Industrial
Industrial Sectors Producing Wastewater
Wastewater
Treatment
Water Uses in Industries
Case Study: Automotive Manufacturing Plant
Case Study: Food and Beverage Industry
Environmental Regulations
09.02.2025 | Faculty of Civil and Environmental Engineering | Institute IWAR | Amir Asadi, M.Sc.| 19
Overview of Wastewater Treatment
•Definition: Wastewater treatment is the
process of removing contaminants from
wastewater to produce effluent that is GENERAL DEFINITION
safe for the environment
•Municipal WWTPs: Treat domestic
sewage from households and businesses
•Industrial WWTPs: Treat wastewater
from industrial processes, which can - WASTEWATER - WASTEWATER
vary significantly in composition GENERATED FROM GENERATED FROM
HOUSEHOLDS AND INDUSTRIAL PROCESSES
BUSINESSES
WWTPs: Wastewater treatment Plants
09.02.2025 | Faculty of Civil and Environmental Engineering | Institute IWAR | Amir Asadi, M.Sc.| 20
Comparison of Municipal and Industrial WWTPs
1. Wastewater Characteristics
Municipal: Stable, mainly organic (domestic sewage)
Industrial: Highly variable, complex chemicals (industry-specific)
2. Pre-Treatment Needs
DIFFERENCES FROM
Municipal: Standard screening & grit removal MUNICIPAL
WASTEWATER:
Industrial: Specialized (chemical neutralization, advanced filtration)
3. Treatment Complexity
Municipal: Biological processes (Activated sludge)
Industrial: Mix of chemical & physical (Advanced oxidation, coagulation)
MORE COMPLEX HIGHER POLLUTANTS
4. Regulatory Standards TREATMENT CONCENTRATION
Municipal: Broad regulations (Nutrient, BOD/COD limits)
Industrial: Industry-specific, often more stringent (hazardous pollutants)
09.02.2025 | Faculty of Civil and Environmental Engineering | Institute IWAR | Amir Asadi, M.Sc.| 21
Comparison of Municipal and Industrial WWTPs
5. Sludge Handling
Municipal: Large volumes, biogas recovery
Industrial: Toxic/chemical sludge, complex disposal
6. Energy & Resource Recovery
Municipal: Biogas, nutrient recovery
Industrial: Limited but critical
DIFFERENCES FROM
7. Operational Expertise MUNICIPAL
WASTEWATER:
Municipal: Standardized, routine processes
Industrial: Requires process-specific expertise (chemical handling)
8. Costs
Municipal: Lower, public-funded
MORE EXPENSIVE WATER REUSE
Industrial: Higher, industry-funded, complex systems SYSTEMS
9. Water Reuse
Municipal: Growing focus on reuse (irrigation)
Industrial: Common, requires advanced treatment (reverse osmosis, filtration)
09.02.2025 | Faculty of Civil and Environmental Engineering | Institute IWAR | Amir Asadi, M.Sc.| 22
Challenges in Industrial Wastewater Management
1. Industrial & Production Challenges
•Diversity of industries and production methods
•Geographic dispersion of industries
•Time-based production changes (hourly, daily, seasonal)
•Fluctuations in wastewater volume
•High treatment costs for certain pollutants
2. Environmental & Land Use Challenges
•Lack of land for treatment facilities in industrial areas
•Lack of awareness about environmental impact
3. Expertise & Operational Challenges
•Shortage of skilled personnel for operation and maintenance
•Difficulty in accessing expert consultation for system design
09.02.2025 | Faculty of Civil and Environmental Engineering | Institute IWAR | Amir Asadi, M.Sc.| 23
Industrial Sectors Producing Wastewater
Industrial Sectors Wastewater Challenges Treatment
Chemical
Heavy metals, oils, pH control, heavy precipitation,
1. Manufacturing
acids, solvents. metal removal. filtration, oxidation
processes.
High organic load, DAF, anaerobic
2. Food & Fats, oils, organic
seasonal digestion, nutrient
Beverage matter, nutrients.
variability. removal.
oxidation
Toxic organics, Detoxification,
processes,
3. Chemical solvents, non-biodegradable
neutralization,
acids/bases. compounds.
adsorption.
Coagulation,
Dyes, pigments, Color removal, membrane
4. Textile
salts, chemicals. high salinity. filtration, reverse
osmosis.
09.02.2025 | Faculty of Civil and Environmental Engineering | Institute IWAR | Amir Asadi, M.Sc.| 24
Water Uses in Industries
1. Washing and Cleaning
•Washing and cleaning raw materials
•Washing equipment and tools
2. Production Processes
•Preparing solutions and raw materials
•Preparing products
Source
3. Cooling and Heating
•Cooling machines and products
•Heat transfer fluid
•Heating and cooling systems
4. Auxiliary Uses
•Drinking and sanitation
•Irrigation
Source
09.02.2025 | Faculty of Civil and Environmental Engineering | Institute IWAR | Amir Asadi, M.Sc.| 25
Manufacturing Industry
The manufacturing industry is one of the largest
producers of industrial wastewater. This sector
encompasses a wide variety of sub-industries,
including automotive, electronics, metal processing,
paper manufacturing, and consumer goods. Each
type of manufacturing has its own specific
wastewater profile, but common challenges in
treatment and management are shared across the
sector.
09.02.2025 | Faculty of Civil and Environmental Engineering | Institute IWAR | Amir Asadi, M.Sc.| 26
Case Study:
Automotive Manufacturing Plant
An automotive manufacturing facility is facing issues with high levels of heavy metals, oil
and grease, and fluctuating pH in its wastewater. What processes can be implemented to
effectively treat the wastewater and ensure regulatory compliance, while minimizing
operational costs and environmental impact?
Problem
09.02.2025 | Faculty of Civil and Environmental Engineering | Institute IWAR | Amir Asadi, M.Sc.| 27
Case Study:
Automotive Manufacturing Plant
1.Physical Treatment:
1. Oil-Water Separation: Installation of a Dissolved Air Flotation (DAF) unit
2.Chemical Treatment:
1. Chemical Precipitation: To remove heavy metals such as lead and chromium, a
chemical dosing system should be implemented to precipitate these metals.
2. pH Neutralization: Automatic pH adjustment should be introduced to bring
the wastewater within regulatory limits before biological treatment.
Solution
09.02.2025 | Faculty of Civil and Environmental Engineering | Institute IWAR | Amir Asadi, M.Sc.| 28
Case Study:
Food and Beverage Industry
Problem: A poultry processing plant in Morocco is facing significant challenges in
managing wastewater. The main issues are:
1. High Organic Load (BOD/COD)
•Wastewater from poultry processing is rich in organic matter, including blood, feathers,
fat, and tissue.
2. Fats, Oils, and Grease (FOG)
•Poultry processing generates significant amounts of FOG, especially during the
evisceration and rendering stages.
3. High Suspended Solids (TSS)
•The presence of feathers, skin particles, blood, and organic residues in the wastewater
results in high levels of TSS.
4. Nutrient Levels (Nitrogen and Phosphorus)
•Poultry wastewater contains significant levels of nitrogen (from proteins) and
phosphorus (from processing chemicals).
6. Pathogens and Bacteria
•Poultry wastewater may contain pathogens such as Salmonella and E. coli due to the
nature of the raw material and the slaughtering process.
09.02.2025 | Faculty of Civil and Environmental Engineering | Institute IWAR | Amir Asadi, M.Sc.| 29
Case Study:
Food and Beverage Industry
Solution
1. Physical Treatment:
➢ DAF: This system is used to separate fats, oils, and grease (FOG).
➢ Sedimentation
2.Biological Treatment:
➢ Anaerobic Digestion: This process not only reduced the BOD/COD levels but also
generated biogas.
➢ Aerobic Treatment (Activated Sludge)
➢ Enhanced Biological Phosphorus Removal (EBPR): To manage the high phosphorus
levels.
➢ Denitrification: Nitrogen is removed via a nitrification-denitrification process.
3. Disinfection:
➢ Chlorination or UV Treatment: To ensure pathogen removal before discharge or water
reuse.
09.02.2025 | Faculty of Civil and Environmental Engineering | Institute IWAR | Amir Asadi, M.Sc.| 30
Environmental Regulations on Wastewater
Effluent: Morocco
Limit Values of Discharges for the "Hot- Specific Limit Values for Discharges from the
Dip Galvanizing" Sector "Cement Industry" Activity
Parameters Limit Values Parameters Limit Values
Total Copper (Cu) 4 mg/l
Lead (Pb) 1 mg/l pH 6-9
Cadmium (Cd) 1 mg/l Temperature (T°) 30°C
BOD5 100 mgO₂/l
BOD5 (mgO₂/l) 100
COD 500 mgO₂/l
COD (mg/l) 500
Total Suspended Solids
50 mg/l Total Suspended Solids (mg/l) 100 mg/l
(TSS)
Nickel 5 mg/l Total Heavy Metals (Cd, Cr, Ni, Cu,
15 mg/l
Total Zinc 10 mg/l Zn, Pb, Co, Fe, Mn, Hg, As)
Iron 20 mg/l Specific Flow Rate (m³/t Cement
0.4 m³/t
Total Chromium (Cr) 5 mg/l Product)
Cyanides 1 mg/l
Biological oxygen demand: BOD5 Chemical oxygen demand: COD
09.02.2025 | Faculty of Civil and Environmental Engineering | Institute IWAR | Amir Asadi, M.Sc.| 31
Environmental Regulations on Wastewater
Effluent: Morocco
Parameters Limit Values Table of Specific Discharge Limit Values
Flow Rate 50 m³/ton of finished product Applicable to Effluents from the Pulp,
Paper, and Cardboard Industries
Temperature 30°C
pH 5.5 - 8.5
Total Suspended Solids (mg/l) 200
COD (mgO₂/l) 1000
BOD₅ (mgO₂/l) 200
Arsenic (As) (mg/l) 0.1
Free Sulfides (S²-) (mg/l) 2
Total Zinc (Zn) (mg/l) 1
Iron (Fe) (mg/l) 3
Aluminum (Al) (mg/l) 10
09.02.2025 | Faculty of Civil and Environmental Engineering | Institute IWAR | Amir Asadi, M.Sc.| 32
Environmental Regulations on Wastewater
Effluent: Morocco
Specific Discharge Limit for Sugar Industries
Parameters Limit Values
0.9 m³ per ton of beet and 0.7 m³
Flow Rate
per ton of cane
Total Suspended Solids (mg/l) 300
BOD₅ (mg O₂/l) 400
Specific Discharge Limit Values Applicable to
Wastewater Effluents from Urban Agglomerations
Parameters Limit Values for Domestic Effluents
BOD₅ (mg O₂/l) 120
COD (mg O₂/l) 250
Total Suspended Solids (mg/l) 150
09.02.2025 | Faculty of Civil and Environmental Engineering | Institute IWAR | Amir Asadi, M.Sc.| 33
Environmental Regulations on Wastewater
Effluent: Germany
Petroleum Oil Refinery
Concentration limits must be met at the discharge point to surface bodies,
marine systems, or public sewers.
Parameters Limiting value for concentration (mg/L except for pH)
pH 6-8.5
Oil & Grease 5
BOD5 15
COD 125
Total Suspended Solids 20
Phenols 0.35
Sulphides 0.5
Ammonia as N 15.0
Total Kjeldahl Nitrogen (TKN) 40
P 3
Pb 0.1
Hg 0.01
Zn 5
Ni 1
Cu 1
09.02.2025 | Faculty of Civil and Environmental Engineering | Institute IWAR | Amir Asadi, M.Sc.| 34
Environmental Regulations on Wastewater
Effluent: Germany
Slaughterhouses, Meat Processing Units and Sea Food Industry
Parameters Standards (mg/l except for pH)
pH 6.5-8.5
BOD5 30
COD 250
Total Suspended solids 50
Oil and grease 10
Dairy industry
Parameters Standards (mg/l except for pH)
pH 6.5-8.5
BOD5 100
Total suspended solids 150
Oil & grease 10
09.02.2025 | Faculty of Civil and Environmental Engineering | Institute IWAR | Amir Asadi, M.Sc.| 35
Comparison of Regulations
Comparison of Limits for Irrigation in Morocco and Germany
Parameters Morocco (mg/l) Germany (mg/l) Difference
Arsenic (As) 0.10 0.10 Same
Cadmium (Cd) 0.01 0.005 Germany is stricter
Chromium (Cr) 0.10 0.05 Germany is stricter
Lead (Pb) 5.0 0.1 Germany is much stricter
Mercury (Hg) 0.001 0.001 Same
Nickel (Ni) 0.20 0.20 Same
Zinc (Zn) 2.0 2.0 Same
Copper (Cu) 0.2 0.2 Same
BOD5 150 25 Germany is much stricter
COD 300 90 Germany is much stricter
09.02.2025 | Faculty of Civil and Environmental Engineering | Institute IWAR | Amir Asadi, M.Sc.| 36
Review and Summary
•Wastewater Treatment: Critical to protecting the environment and ensuring compliance
with regulatory standards.
•Industrial vs. Municipal Treatment: Industrial treatment is significantly more complex due
to variable wastewater composition, higher pollutant concentrations, and more stringent
regulations. Municipal treatment is more standardized but focuses on organic waste and
nutrient removal.
•Challenges: Industrial wastewater management faces higher costs, complex pollutant
removal and the need for skilled personnel and advanced technologies.
•Key Industrial Sectors Producing Wastewater:
•Manufacturing: Produces wastewater with heavy metals, oils, and chemicals.
•Food & Beverage: High organic loads, fats, and suspended solids from processing
operations.
•Chemical Industry: Toxic organics and solvents require advanced detoxification.
•Textile Industry: Dyes, pigments, and chemicals contribute to high salinity and complex
pollutants.
•Innovations: Advanced Oxidation Processes (AOPs) are improving treatment efficiency.
09.02.2025 | Faculty of Civil and Environmental Engineering | Institute IWAR | Amir Asadi, M.Sc.| 37
Further Reading and Resources
❑ Reference books
▪ Metcalf & Eddy (2014), Wastewater Engineering: Treatment and Resource Recovery. 5th
Edition, McGraw-Hill, New York.
▪ M. L. Davis, (2010), Water and Wastewater Engineering-Design Principles & Practice, The
McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc., New York,.
❑ Online resources
▪ Official website of Moroccan government (Valeurs limites des rejets)
▪ Official website of Moroccan government (Qualité des eaux d'irrigations)
▪ Industrial Wastewater Discharge Limits and Regulations in Germany
▪ IWA Publishing. (n.d.). Industrial wastewater treatment. IWA Publishing.
09.02.2025 | Faculty of Civil and Environmental Engineering | Institute IWAR | Amir Asadi, M.Sc.| 38
[email protected] UAS
09.02.2025 | Faculty of Civil and Environmental Engineering | Institute IWAR | Amir Asadi, M.Sc.| 39
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