Master Thesis Call
Anaerobic digestion of dairy residues
Optimization of biogas- and fertilizer production

Over the last decade greenhouse gas emissions along with climate change have become a predominant topic in policy, society and economy. Europe is to become the world's first climateneutral continent by 2050 - that is the goal of the "Green Deal" presented by the European Commission. More and more industry sectors e.g. the food and beverage industry are interested to cover their energy demand with biogas produced from their own organic waste streams.

Within this project different organic waste streams of the dairy industry will be analyzed and digested continuously in two 10-liter reactors. Most important parameters which will be monitored over 6 months are the biogas yield, biogas composition, maximum organic loading rate, volatile fatty acids and nutrient concentrations. Aim is to optimize the process of biogas production of dairy residues and simulate the real operation process as good as possible.

Furthermore, out of the digestate a fertilizer should be produced. Therefore, the dewatering of the digested sludge will be tested using different conventional (polyacrylamide) and new alternative flocculants like modified starch and chitosan.

Previous experience: interest and curiosity in scientific work.

Contact: wolfgang.gabauer@boku.ac.at, tel. +43 01 47654 97424
Start: ~ January 2021 (published December 2020)
Location: 3430 Tulln; IFA Tulln, Institute for Environmental Biotechnology
Duration: ~ 6 months
Salary: ~450€/month