Batch treatment is the basic procedure used to purify industrial waste water. First the components dissolved in the waste are analyzed by means of photometric tests, then, depending on the results, students decide on the treatment techniques to be used. Treatment is initially carried out on a laboratory scale (in a beaker), if successful, the procedure is scaled up to the technical plant. After that the sludge is dehydrated by a chamber filter press.

In electrolysis, an electric current is used to separate and recover metals, such as copper, from a solution.  Different parameters, such as voltage or current, can be varied. In water purification systems, this procedure is used for the oxidation of cyanides.

The ion exchanger makes it possible to maintain the circular flow of rinsing water. In the experiment, the students determine the capacity of the ion exchange resins. They judge the efficiency of the ion exchange resins and  discuss the influence of different parameters (macroporosity, ion concentration) on the desalination process.

Ultra filtration can be used to separate an oil/water mixture. The principle is similar to filtration, in which long chained molecules (for example oil or fat) are retained by a membrane, while water passes through the pores. With this technique it is possible, for example, to dehydrate a used lubricant. The idea is to reduce the volume of the emulsion and therefore disposal costs.

Students analyze the concentration of nitrogen oxides at different sites. They investigate the influence of weather conditions, traffic density and other factors on their measurements. After their fieldwork, they check the accuracy of their procedures in the laboratory using test gas.

The aim of the experiment is to clean sulphur dioxide from a waste gas in a Venturi washer with different kinds of scrubbing fluids. This enables students to learn about purification systems and measurement technology.