Research Areas
- Process and production integrated environmental protection
- Treatment and reuse of process water e.g. in the automobile industry
- Adsorption processes in industrial water and wastewater technology, e.g. in the textile industry
- Advanced oxidation processes (AOP) and photo-oxidation processes
- Biological and chemo-physical treatment of industrial wastewater
- Decentralised and energy-autonomous small sewage treatment plants
- Export-oriented research
- Testing Centre of the German Institute for Construction Technology (DIBt)
- International Consulting, for example Middle and South America
- Development of international master's courses, summer schools, advanced training courses in environmental protection
- Environmental protection in Brazil
Projektbilder
Current Research Projects
Environmentally friendly removal of specific microparticles and fibres from the wastewater of textile laundries by means of high-performance flotation
Funding Institution: Bundesministerium für Wirtschaft und Energie (BMWi)
Contact:Dr.-Ing. Uwe Menzel; Dipl.-Ing. Nikolai Otto
Project partner: Institut für Fertigungstechnologie keramischer Bauteile (IFKB), Universität Stuttgart; OKO-tech GmbH & Co. KG
Duration: 11/2018 – 10/2020
Abstract:
Laundries are considered to be one of the largest decentralised point sources of plastic fibres in the environment. In this research project, an integrative process for the removal of specific microparticles and fibres from the wastewater of textile laundries is being developed, taking into account energy, cost and environmental aspects. The following goals are in the foreground:
- The most possible removal of synthetic plastic particles and fibres in all dimensional ranges from the effluent under the aspect of possible future limit value determinations.
- Monitoring of the effluent values.
- Simple supplementary or substitutive implementation in existing wastewater treatment plants.
- Better cleaning results.
- High energy efficiency.
- Compact design.
- Modularity and flexibility.
- Positive effects on aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems and the entire food chain due to decimated microplastic discharge.
Implementation of the Double Degree Master´s Program WASTE/MAUI with Brazil
Since 2006 exists a cooperation at the University of Stuttgart with the Federal University of Paraná (UFPR) and the National Educational Service of Traineeship of the Industry in Paraná (SENAI-PR) in Curitiba, Brazil, in the framework of the Master´s Program MAUI. The aim of that project is the final implementation of the Double Master´s Programm WASTE (Air Quality Control, Solid Waste and Waste Water Process Engineering) / MAUI (Municipal and Industrial Environment Protection) on both Universities as well as the advancement and the establishment of the program. The offered courses in the program and the preparation of the students will be adapted and optimized. Die quality and the internationalization of the University of Stuttgart will be extended and students get more mobility with the award of scholarships.
Financing Institution: | Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst (DAAD) |
Contact: | |
Project partner: | |
Duration: | 08/2017-07/2019 |
Professional courses in environmental science and exchange students from Brazil at the University of Stuttgart
- The University of Stuttgart offers in cooperation with the Federal University of Paraná (UFPR) and the National Educational Service of Traineeship of the Industry in Paraná (SENAI-PR) the Master´s Program MAUI in Curitiba, Brazil. In the second year of studies the students have the opportunity to get an 8-month scholarship to complete the program in Germany. During that period, they can learn German, involve the master´s theses, participate on events and do an industrial internship. Furthermore yearly is offered a two week professional course in environmental science. There are offered seminars, laboratory courses, technical visits a cultural program and German classes.
Financing Institution: | Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst (DAAD) |
Contact: | Dr.-Ing. Uwe Menzel; Dr.-Ing. Daniela Neuffer; Dr.-Ing. Karen Amaral |
Project partner: | University of Paraná (Brasilien), Serviço Nacional de Aprendizagem Industrial „nationaler Ausbildungsdienst für die Industrielehre“ SENAI-PR (Brasilien) |
Duration: | 03/2008-04/2019 |
Completed Research Projects
In this joint project between two institutes of the University of Stuttgart and two industrial partners, an innovative reactor concept is being developed and tested in which photocatalysts are immobilised on laboratory and pilot-scale UV-A-permeable glasses. Light, which can be used by the catalyst without first passing through the water body, is coupled into the specially pre-treated carrier materials by energy-efficient LED strips attached to the side. Accordingly, the photocatalytic coating must be very robust and transparent at the same time. This special design allows compact reactors with a high ratio of irradiated photocatalytic surface.
Detailed project description: Turbidity-independent photocatalytic reactors using active light induction (pdf/75kb)
Financing Institution: | Bundesministerium für Wirtschaft und Energie (BMWi) |
Contact: | Dr.-Ing. Uwe Menzel; Dipl.-Ing. Nikolai Otto |
Project partner: | Institut für Fertigungstechnologie keramischer Bauteile (IFKB), Universität Stuttgart; Lightpanel GmbH; Leiblein GmbH |
Duration: | 10/2016 - 12/2018 |
Detailed project description: Plant development for automated extraction of particles from liquids with a low solid content by enrichment and drying (pdf/30kb)
Funding Institution: | AiF Projekt GmbH, Zentrales Innovationsprogramm Mittelstand (ZIM), gefördert durch das Bundesministerium für Wirtschaft und Technologie (aufgrund eines Beschlusses des Deutschen Bundestages) |
Contact: | Dr.-Ing. Uwe Menzel, Dr.-Ing. Sebastian Platz |
Project partner: | Institut für Fertigungstechnologie keramischer Bauteile (IFKB) der Universität Stuttgart, novoflow GmbH Umwelt- und Filtertechnik, Rain am Lech, SAG Süddeutsche Abwasserreinigungs-Ingenieur GmbH, Ulm |
Duration: | 11/2015 – 01/2018 |
Detailed project description: Photocatalytically active coatings for energy efficient water treatment in model-based reactors (pdf/49kb)
Funding Institution: | AiF Projekt GmbH, Zentrales Innovationsprogramm Mittelstand (ZIM), gefördert durch das Bundesministerium für Wirtschaft und Technologie (aufgrund eines Beschlusses des Deutschen Bundestages) |
Contact: | Dr.-Ing. Uwe Menzel, Dipl.-Ing. Nikolai Otto |
Project partner: | Institut für Fertigungstechnologie Keramischer Bauteile (IFKB) der Universität Stuttgart, Leiblein GmbH, Hardheim |
Duration: | 10/2014 – 09/2016 |
Detailed project description: Development of a detection method for the proof of activated carbon in wastewater effluents and other wastewater samples (pdf/60kb)
Funding Institution: | Ministerium für Umwelt, Klima und Energiewirtschaft Baden-Württemberg |
Contact: | Dr.-Ing. Uwe Menzel, Dr.-Ing. Sebastian Platz |
Project partner: | Institut für Fertigungstechnologie Keramischer Bauteile (IFKB) der Universität Stuttgart |
Duration: | 012015 – 05/2016 |
Detailed project description: Efficient and economic segregation of powdered activated carbon using hydrocyclones after removal of micropollutants and organic residues from municipal and industrial wastewater (pdf/134kb)
Funding Institution: | Umweltministerium Baden-Württemberg |
Contact: | Dr.-Ing. Uwe Menzel, Dr.-Ing. Sebastian Platz, Dipl.-Ing. Nikolai Otto |
Project partner: | Dürr Systems GmbH, Paint and Final Assembly Systems, Bietighiem-Bissingen; SAG Süddeutsche Abwasserreinigungs-Ingenieur GmbH, Ulm; Gemeinschaftkläranlage Baden-Baden, Sinzheim (GKA) |
Duration: | 07/2012 - 06/2014 |
Funding Institution: | AiF Projekt GmbH, Zentrale Innovationsprogramm Mittelstand (ZIM), gefördert durch: Bundesministerium für Wirtschaft und Technologie (aufgrund eines Beschlusses des Deutschen Bundestages) |
Contact: | Dr.-Ing. Uwe Menzel, Dr.-Ing. Sebastian Platz |
Project partner: | Institut für Fertigungstechnologie (IFKB) der Universität Stuttgart, Novoflow GmbH Umwelt- und Filtertechnik |
Duration: | 07/2012 - 06/2014 |
Funding Institution: | Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst (DAAD) |
Contact: | Dr.-Ing. Uwe Menzel, Dr.-Ing. Daniela Neuffer (IWT), Dr.-Ing. Karen Amaral (IWT), Dr.-Ing. Klaus Fischer (SIA), Prof. Dr. rer. nat. habil. Jörg W. Metzger (CH) |
Project partner: | Universidade Federal do Paraná (UFPR), Serviço Nacional de Aprendizagem Industrial do Paraná (SENAI-PR), Associação Brasileira de Engenharia Sanitária e Ambiental do Paraná (ABES-PR |
Almost all of the municipal waste produced in Thailand is dumped on "wild dumps". The Bangkok area alone produces almost 10,000 tons of fresh waste every day. The unsecured dumps represent a major burden on the local and global environment. Contaminated seepage water, odour pollution and the climate-damaging gases CO2 and methane are emitted.
Based on the mechanical-biological waste treatment plant Kahlenberg, a pilot plant was designed within the scope of the project, which will later enable the construction of a robust, simplified and more cost-effective large-scale technology.
The pilot plant was installed in the province of Phetchaburi and fed daily with approx. 3 tons of fresh waste. This is shredded as a mechanical stage and then irrigated and biologically treated in the so-called BIOBUNK® reactor. The majority of the organic fraction is transferred to the aqueous phase, which has a high biogas potential. The solid and, so to speak, washed phase is mechanically pre-dewatered and then biologically dried without the use of energy. The dried output represents a high-calorific substitute fuel that can be used very well, especially in the cement industry.
Funding Institution: | Umweltministerium Baden-Württemberg |
Contact: | Dr.-Ing. Uwe Menzel, Dr.-Ing. Sebastian Platz |
Project partner: | WEHRLE Umwelt GmbH |
The ambition of this research project is to find an economic, effective process to pro-duce bioplastic out of waste water. The state of the art of the bioplastic production is the basic idea of this project. Wastewater as raw material for the bioplastic production has not been an object of research so far and offers the opportunity to transform the waste water treatment plant into a bioplastic factory. Today, plastic is made out of unlasting crude oil. So it is obvious, that the production of bioplastic includes some benefits and fits to the main idea of sustainability. Bioplastic, for example, enables preservation of resources, is compostable and biodegradable.
Funding Institution: | Willy-Hager-Stiftung |
Contact: | Dr.-Ing. Uwe Menzel, Dr.-Ing. Timo Pittmann |
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Funding Institution: | Ministerium für Klimaschutz, Umwelt, Landwirtschaft, Natur- und Verbraucherschutz des Landes Nordrhein-Westfalen |
Contact: | Dr.-Ing. Uwe Menzel, Dr.-Ing. Sebastian Platz |
Project partner: | SAG - Ingenieure, Ulm Wupperverband (WV); Institut für Siedlungswasserwirtschaft (ISA) der RWTH Aachen; AVT Aachener Verfahrenstechnik; WVER Wasserverband Eifel-Rur; Emschergenossenschaft Lippe Verband; Tuttahs & Meyer Ingenieurgesellschaft |
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Funding Institution: | BMBF (Bundesministerium für Bildung und Forschung) |
Contact: | Dr.-Ing. Uwe Menzel, Dipl.-Ing. Stefan Schölpple |
Project partner: | Abfallwirtschaftsbetrieb Main-Tauber-Kreis (AWMT); Institut für Siedlungswasserbau, Wassergüte- und Abfallwirtschaft der Universität Stuttgart (ISWA), Arbeitsberich "Industrielle Wasser- und Abwassertechnologie (IWT)"; Georgi Wassertechnik GmbH, Riederich |
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Funding Institution: | DAAD (Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst); BMBF (Bundesministerium für Bildung und Forschung) |
Contact: | Dr.-Ing. Uwe Menzel, Dr.-Ing. Daniela Neuffer |
Project partner: | UFPR (Universidade Federal do Paraná); SENAI-PR (Serviço Nacional de Aprendizagem Industrial - Departamento Regional do Paraná) |
As a result of Prof. Menzel being appointed part of the expert-committees
- Abscheider und Mineralölhaltiges Abwasser -A-(428)
- Mineralölhaltiges Abwasser –B 3-(428c)
- Mineralölhaltiges Abwasser –B 4-(428d)
by the “Deutsches Institut für Bautechnik (DIBt)” in Berlin, the Institute for Sanitary Engineering, Water Quality and Solid Waste Management at the University of Stuttgart (IWT department) was then appointed as the official inspection office. The department is responsible for carrying out practical tests at different plants to ensure the reduction of hydrocarbon in wastewater containing mineral oil.
Funding Institution: | Deutsches Institut für Bautechnik (DIBt), Berlin |
Contact: | Dr.-Ing. Uwe Menzel |
Contact

Uwe Menzel
Dr.-Ing.Leader of "Industrial Water and Wastewater Technology" (IWT)

Nikolai Otto
Dipl.-Ing.Research Assistant (IWT)