LAWI100331 Processes and technologies for waste management

Type
course with non-continuous assessment
Semester hours
1
Lecturer (assistant)
Huber-Humer, Marion , Pomi, Raffaella
Organisation
Waste Management and Circularity
Offered in
Sommersemester 2026
Languages of instruction
Englisch
Content

This year is the focus on:
BIOGENIC WASTE with two aspects:

FROM THE FUNDAMENTALS OF BIODEGRADABILITY TO SUSTANABLE PRODUCTS and
GENERATION, PROPERTIES, VALORIZATION AND CARBON FOOTPRINT

The first part is given by Prof. Andreas Kuenkel (Vice president BASF)
The lecture will give an overview of biodegradable polymers which are an important part of the solution toolbox to achieve a circular economy. Two classes of polymers are addressed: a.) Structural biodegradable polymers are applied as e.g. soil biodegradable mulch films and b.) Water-Soluble Polymers (WSP`s) are used in e.g. home and personal care. The lecture addresses key aspects of polymer biodegradation in both natural and engineered systems following a more holistic approach (“Biodegradability 2.0”). These aspects include definitions of biodegradability and biodegradation, elucidating polymer- and environmental factors that control the biodegradation process, a discussion of the analytical chemistry and microbiology of polymer biodegradation, polymer biodegradability testing & certification, development of new polymers and digital tools like predictive biodegradation modelling, respectively.

The second part is given by Prof. Rafaela Pomi (University La Spientia, Rome)
This part provides fundamental knowledge on biogenic waste properties which should be taken into account for selecting and designing appropriate collection systems and valorization process. Technical aspects of biological waste treatment options will be pointed out. The design criteria of anaerobic digester (aimed at converting the biodegradable fraction of both urban and agro-industrial wastes into bio-methane and/or bio-H2) will be discussed.

Specific issues:
-Biogenic waste generation and properties: waste classification; waste composition; chemical, physical, biological and mechanical properties; methods for estimating waste production; statistical analysis of waste production data;
-Biogenic waste management, including bioH2 production;
-Basics of the greenhouse gas accounting systems
Previous knowledge expected

This course is particularly intended for students with knowledge of basics in waste management (at master level preferred) who wants to deepen their knowledge in specific, future-oriented technologies to valorise biogenic waste.
Objective (expected results of study and acquired competences)

The students will gain insight to case studies addressing specific situations and technologies in biogenic waste management on a global perspective.
At the end of the course, the students will have acquired the basic knowledge of design and operation of waste treatment and valorization plants for biogenic waste.
You can find more details like the schedule or information about exams on the course-page in BOKUonline.