This project investigated which process for the treatment of industrial wastewater has the lowest environmental impact. In addition to filtration with activated carbon, treatment using the Fenton reaction was also investigated. Furthermore, the disposal of the wastewater in a waste incineration plant and in a hazardous waste incineration plant was balanced. Special attention was also paid to the removal of certain chemical compounds. The ecological scarcity method was adapted to assess the discharge of substances into water bodies.
It was found that both incineration processes performed less well. Treatment by means of the Fenton reaction and activated carbon showed similarly high levels of environmental pollution. However, the possibilities of regenerating activated carbon could optimise this process. It is also possible to produce activated carbon from biological waste streams, which would further reduce the footprint.