This programme is sponsored by the European Commission (LIFE Environment Programme) and the Viotia Prefecture

Contact point

Maria Loizidou, NTUA Professor National Technical University of Athens Dept. of Chemical Engineering 9, Heroon Polytechniou str. Zographou Campus GR-15773 Athens, Greece Tel: +30 210 7723106, +30 210 7723285 Fax: +30 210 7723088 E-mail: mloiz@orfeas.chemeng.ntua.gr
	Laboratory of Environmental Science and Technology

National Technical University of Athens

The National Technical University of Athens (NTUA) is the oldest and most prestigious educational institution of Greece in the field of technology, and has contributed unceasingly to the country's scientific, technical and economic development since its foundation in 1836. It is closely linked with Greece's struggle for independence, democracy and social progress. In Greek, NTUA is called the "Ethnicon Metsovion Polytechnion" which stands for National Metsovion Polytechnic. It was named "Metsovion" to honor the donors and benefactors Nikolaos Stournaris, Eleni Tositsa, Michail Tositsas and Georgios Averof, all from Metsovo, a small town in the region of Epirus, who made substantial donations in the last half of the 19th century.

Teaching and Research at NTUA

Student numbers at NTUA have increased very rapidly in recent years. In 1937, the total number of students registered in all departments was approximately 500. By the early sixties this figure reached 2,000, and today there are more than 7,000 students. This rather sudden increase in conjunction with new requirements in science and technology, created urgent needs regarding personnel, equipment and facilities. In addition to its historical buildings in Patission Street, NTUA owns a large modern campus in Zografou (a suburb of Athens) of 100 hectares. Most of the Departments and the Central Administration are now housed at the Zografou campus.

As far as the faculty is concerned, NTUA has at present a teaching and research staff of approximately 700 members, all holding doctorates (Professors, Associate Professors, Assistant Professors and Lecturers). It is worth pointing out, for the sake of comparison, that in the 1930's there were approximately 40 Professors at all levels, and about 30 assistants.

NTUA is able to select top rated students from all over Greece through highly competitive national entrance examinations. All degrees last for five years (10 semesters) and provide students with a variety of courses and laboratory practice. Students are required to submit a Diploma Thesis before graduation that is usually based on active research work performed by NTUA faculty. The level of study and the standard of the degrees awarded are considerably high. An appreciable number of NTUA graduates are accepted by foreign Universities for doctoral studies and a large percentage settles abroad, engaged in either lecturing or research work.
The academic level of the faculty is exceptionally high, as all of them have studied to an advanced level both in Greece and abroad, published a considerable number of papers in scientific journals and actively participated in sponsored research programmes. Over the years, NTUA researchers established the excellence of the University in international R&D efforts. Currently, NTUA attracts funding for research from National and European sources that place it on the top of all Greek Academic and Research Institutions. 

Research is carried out in about 100 laboratories belonging to the various Departments and Sections of the institution. All departments now offer graduate programmes that lead to Doctorates. There are approximately 1100 doctoral students presently enrolled.

Teaching and research activities

Teaching and research activities are carried out in nine Departments , which are divided into Sections:

• Department of Civil Engineering (5 Sections)
• Department of Chemical Engineering (4 Sections)
• Department of Architecture (4 Sections)
• Department of Mechanical Engineering (6 Sections)
• Department of Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering (1 Section)
• Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering (3 Sections)
• Department of Mining and Metallurgical Engineering (3 Sections)
• Department of Rural and Surveying Engineering (3 Sections)
• Department of Sciences (4 Sections: Mathematics, Physics, Mechanics and Humanities)

The institution is administered by the Senate, the Rectorial Council and the Rector. The Senate consists of 38 members: the Rector and the two Vice-Rectors, the 9 Heads of Departments, 9 representatives from the teaching and research faculty (one from each department), 1 representative of assistants and doctoral candidates, 9 students (one from each department), 1 representative from the special administrative and technical personnel and 1 from the administrative personnel. Despite its diverse composition, this representative body works together efficiently. The Rectorial Council consists of the Rector, the two Vice-Rectors, a representative of the administrative personnel and a representative of the students.

The annual budget of NTUA is approximately 4 billion Greek Drachmas ($16,000,000). This covers operational costs, laboratory equipment, research, investment in buildings and other works, staff salaries (for approximately 1,400 employees) and other expenses.
In addition R&D funded programs are administrated by the Research Committee with an annual budget of more than 4.5 billion Greek Drachmas ($18,00 0,000). NTUA employs about 1800 researchers in more than 700 R&D projects supported by National and European Union funds.

Laboratory of Environmental Science and Technology

The Laboratory of Environmental Science and Technology is the leader in a significant number of research projects. It has collaborated with various Universities as well as with Ministries, the Industrial Sector, Local Authorities, etc.

The main activities of the Laboratory cover various research fields of environmental management and technology. More specific: 

• Pollution and quality control of Environment
• Technologies for Environmental Protection
• Management of industrial wastewater
• Management of solid waste
• Management of hazardous waste
• Development of integrated emissions inventory systems
• Development of technology for pollution prevention and control
• Identification of hazard sources and evaluation of consequences of major accidents in industries

RESEARCH PROJECTS

1. Air pollutants transport from Thriassion Valley to the main Athens Basin, Municipality of Nikea, Attika Region,1984-1985.
2. A study on the industrial effluents in the Greater Athens area. Ministry of Planning, Public Works and the Environment, 1984-1985.
3. Production and use of compost from organic fraction of municipal waste, Association of the Communities and Municipalities of the Attica Region, 1986-1987.
4. Air pollution from the Colgate-Palmolive plant and the effect on the Environment Colgate-Palmolive Company, 1987-1988.
5. Environmental pollution from petrochemical Waste, Association of the Communities and Municipalities of the Attica Region, 1988.
6. Atmospheric pollution in the Athens area, Ministry of Planning, Public Works and the Environment, 1988-1989.
7. Indoor air pollution of the medical centres of the Attica region, Ministry of Health, Welfare and Social Security, 1988-1989.
8. An assessment on the indoor air pollution, NO2, SO2, smoke for the houses in the Athens area, Ministry of Health, Welfare and Social Security, 1988-1989.
9. Volatile organic compounds in the indoor environment, Ministry of Health, Welfare and Social Security, 1988-1990.
10. Evaluation of the biogas and fill material of the Liosia landfill, Ministry of Interior and the Association of Communities and Municipalities of the Attica Region, 1989-1990.
11. Effect of leachate on the underground water quality in Ano Liosia landfill area, in collaboration with the University of Athens Ministry of Interior and the Association of Communities and Municipalities of the Attica Region, 1989-1990.
12. Environmental impact assessment of the gaseous emissions of the Liosia landfill, in collaboration with the University of Athens Association of Communities and Municipalities of the Attica Region, 1989-1990.
13. Design and construction of a new ozonesonde, in collaboration with the University of Athens, Secretary General for Research and Technology, 1989-1990.
14. An assessment on the nitrogen dioxide for the indoor house environment", Ministry of Health, Welfare and Social Security, 1989-1990.
15. Ozon levels of the indoor air in hospitals, Ministry of Health, Welfare and Social Security, 1989-1990.
16. Evaluation of the water quality of River Louros, Preveza, Prefecture of Preveza, 1990-1991.
17. Management of waste from mining activities, Kassandra Mines, Chalkidiki, 1990-1991.
18. Physical-chemical and biological treatment of Landfill leachate, Secretary General for Research and Technology, 1991-1993
19. National Network of Environment Informatics, Ministry of Environment and Public Works, 1991-1992.
20. Management of detergent wastewater produced in Colgate-Palmolive Company, Colgate-Palmolive Company, 1992.
21. Study of the marine environment in the vicinity of the outfall of the central sewage system", Athens Academy, 1992-1993.
22. Effect of cement pipes on drinking water quality, Ministry of Health, Welfare and Social Security, 1992-1993.
23. Assessment of marine environment in tourist areas", Ministry of Health, Welfare and Social Security, 1992-1993
24. Management of hospital waste", Ministry of Health, Welfare and Social Security, 1994.
25. Assessment of the pollution level in the Piraeus harbour area, OLP, 1994-1996.
26. New Stabilization/Solidification Technologies for the Prevention of Underground Water Contamination from Industrial Waste
    DG XII AVICENNE, 1994-1997.
27. Development of an inventory of industrial wastewaters at a national level, Ministry of Environment, Regional Planning and Public Works, 1996.
28. Development of an inventory of VOC emissions from industrial and related facilities, Ministry of Environment, Regional Planning and Public Works, 1996.
29. Implementation of the integrated pollution prevention and control directive (IPPC). Ministry of Environment, Regional Planning and Public Works, 1996.
30. Development of a methodology for implementation of SEVESO Directive - Evaluation of the hazards caused by major accidents in the greater area. Ministry of Environment, Regional Planning and Public Works, 1995-1996.
31. Evaluation of the emissions and hazards caused by major accidents inside the industrial units, Ministry of Development, 1997-1999.
32. Development of a novel system for the treatment of leachate produced in landfills, Collaboration between Greece and England, Secretary General for Research and Technology,1996-1998
33. Indoor air quality and energy consumption in office buildings. EC, DG XII, Joule Programme, 1993-1995.
34. European Data Base for Indoor Air Pollution VOCs Sources in Buildings. EC, DG XII, Joule II Programme, Sub-programme Energy Conservation and Utilization, The Commission of the European Communities, 1994-1996.
35. Study of Environmental Impact Assessment by industrial activities at the Technological Park of Lavrio. Ministry of Environment, Regional Planning and Public Works, 1996.
36. Ecological and environmental monitoring and simulation system for management decision support in urban areas, ECOSIM .
    EC, Environment and Telematics, DGXIII, 1996-1998
37. Management of chemical substances in Greece. Chemical Safety International Company, 1996.
38. Environmental impact assessment study from the establishment of a mechanical recycling plant and landfill in the East-West part of the Attica Region. Association of Communities and Municipalities of the Attica Region, 1996.
39. Environmental impact assessment study from the establishment of a mechanical recycling plant and landfill in the Northern part of the Attica Region. Association of Communities and Municipalities of the Attica Region, 1996.
40. Evaluation of the quality and use of compost produced from sludge and the organic fraction of municipal waste. Association of Communities and Municipalities of the Attica Region, 1996.
41. Development of a methodology for the removal of heavy metals from biological sludge. Secretary General for Research and Technology, 1996-1998.
42. Preliminary study for the construction and operation of a wastewater treatment plant in Asopos area, Viotia. Ministry of Environment, Regional Planning and Public Works, 1997-1998.
43. Preliminary study on the development of an inventory of solid wastes at a national level, Ministry of Environment, Regional Planning and Public Works, 1997-1998
44. Development of Technical Specifications for a Municipal Waste Thermal Processing Unit Installation in the Island of Aigina. DGXVI, Cohesion Fund, 1997-1998.
45. MEDACT (Mediterranean Action). LIFE Programme DG XI, 1997-1998
46. Management of solid waste in Aegean islands, Ministry of Aegean, 1997-1998
47. Survey of Occupational Problems and Risks Related to Indoor Conditions in Hospitals Operating Rooms. Ministry of Labour, 1997- 1999
48. Technical development and demonstration of closed-loop procedures in electroplating and metal chemistry using solar energy or waste heat to avoid wastewater and to minimize solid waste which can be utilized DG XII, INCO DC, 1998-2000.
49. Integrated Control of Industrial Pollution and Chemical Substances in Cyprus, Life-Third Countries, European Commission Directorate General XI, 1998-2000
50. Safety Management Systems for Major Accidents Hazards in Small and Medium Enterpises, SMMARTEN European Commission JRC, Major Accident Bureau, Institute for Systems, Informatics and Safety, 1998-2000.
51. Improvement of compost quality produced from municipal waste and sludge, Institution of Geological and Mining Research, 1998-1999
52. Development of an integrated management scheme for municipal and industrial wastes at a national level Ministry of Environment, National Planning and Public Works, 1999.
53. Development of a plastic recycling scheme in Attica region ACMAR, 1998-1999
54. Design and development of a data base concerning the municipal waste management in Greece. Secretary General for Research and Technology, 1999-2000
55. Assessment of the quality of hospital waste in Attika Region, Greece. ANSALDO Company, 1999.
56. Environmental impact assessment for the RDF thermal treatment unit produced from the solid waste recycling plant in Athens, ACMAR, 1999.
57. Preliminary study on the installation of the second a mechanical recycling plant in the area of Ano Liosia, ACMAR, 1999.
58. Preliminary study on the installation of a mechanical recycling plant in the area of Thessaloniki, Greece, Association of Communities and Municipalities of Thessaloniki, 1999.
59. Development of a demonstration plasma gasification / vitrification unit for the treatment of hazardous wastes. Life Programme DG XI, 1998-2001
60. Management of municipal waste in Paphos, Cyprus, Municipality of Paphos Cyprus, 1998.