Waste Treatment and Resource Management

Mechanical-biological waste treatment has established itself as a treatment option for residual waste in Europe. The process represents a flexible waste utilisation and treatment approach that can result in very different technological concepts depending on the prevailing legal and economic framework conditions.

The aim of our research activities in the field of MBT is to increase the utilisation of the recyclable materials and energy potential contained in the waste. To this end, new processes are being developed and tested, such as automatic material recognition and separation technologies, optimised biogas production or the production of substitute fuels.

Another focus is on the further development of parameters for determining the performance of MBT plants. In addition to the legally prescribed deposition parameters, in particular _AT4, _GB21 and _GS21, this also includes analyses to determine the flow of recyclable materials and energy as well as the emissions of corresponding plants.

Separate collection is an essential prerequisite for obtaining high-quality products from waste utilisation and is particularly important for biogenic waste components. Composting is the established process for treating biogenic waste. It is characterised by its comparatively simple process management and flexibility in terms of plant size. In particular, it is also well suited for small quantities of waste and therefore small plants. In recent years, anaerobic digestion has become significantly more important as biogas can be produced and utilised. Due to the generally more complex process technology, anaerobic digestion tends to be more economically viable for larger quantities of waste. Methane emissions from anaerobic digestion plants are of particular importance due to the much higher climate relevance of the methane contained in biogas. There are still considerable gaps in knowledge in this area, which the "Waste and Resource Management" department is dedicated to researching.

In the area of biogas utilisation, we are investigating plant-internal solutions (e.g. utilisation of CHP waste heat for digestate processing) in order to increase overall plant efficiency. Another research focus is the optimal utilisation of the products that can be obtained during fermentation.

Against the background of increasingly scarce and expensive resources, the decommissioning of landfills represents an interesting alternative, as the untreated waste contained in old landfills can be utilised for material and energy recovery, e.g. metals, phosphorus or organic components for energy generation. Issues relating to the technical realisation of landfill decommissioning and subsequent material processing for raw material extraction are also being investigated, as are the environmental impacts of decommissioning compared to those of conventional landfill aftercare. The raw material potential of Tyrolean landfills is currently being analysed in this research area.

For a comprehensive evaluation of waste management measures, the associated environmental impacts are of great importance in addition to the technical effectiveness. Various life cycle assessment methods have been developed in order to take into account and compare the multitude of relevant impacts/aspects. Although there are international standards (ISO 14040) for carrying out life cycle assessments, the methods and approaches of ecological assessment are constantly evolving due to their complexity.

The "Waste Treatment and Resource Management" department carries out life cycle assessments and comparisons of waste management processes, e.g. with regard to greenhouse gas emissions or pure energy balances. Furthermore, the life cycle assessment can be linked with cost aspects for eco-efficient consideration.

Waste and resource management is a global task. Waste that is not disposed of properly jeopardises both the health of the population and the environment (breeding ground for pathogens, food source for rats, pollution of water resources through leachate, air pollution and climate relevance through landfill gases, fire hazard). Recycling measures, proper utilisation, treatment and disposal of waste, as well as landfill gas collection, can make an effective contribution to resource, environmental and climate protection in developing countries. A functioning, environmentally friendly and resource-conserving waste management system is essential for sustainable development. The use of customised solutions is crucial for successful implementation.

Compared to the highly technologised countries, the importance and potential dangers of dealing with waste are still little recognised in many parts of the world. It is often possible to draw on the experience of European countries in order to improve the local situation appropriately. A direct transfer of the waste management measures and technologies developed and established in Europe to less developed regions is often not possible. Instead, appropriate concepts and/or technologies are required that can be implemented under the respective technical, social, political and economic conditions.

The "Waste and Resource Management" department deals with the development of customised technologies and concepts. In order to be able to take the local framework conditions into account appropriately, such projects are developed and implemented in co-operation with local partners as well as with the involvement of other disciplines (e.g. sociology).

• FFG Innovationscamp, 2022-2024: - Circulation manager in the construction industry

• AlpineHempHarvester2, 2022-2023
• PHB bioplastic, 2021-2023: Environmentally friendly production and extraction of PHB bioplastics
• Raiqa, 2021: Scientific monitoring of the "Raiqa" site dismantling project
• Cotton textiles, 2020-2021: Investigation of the biodegradability of cotton textiles
• 2strategies4AD, 2020-2023: Strategies for optimising anaerobic digestion
• AvE, 2020: Getting away from disposable
• Underfloor systems, 2019-2020: Preparatory waste analyses for the introduction of underfloor systems
• Audi Nines, 2019: Actual analysis of the environmental impact of "The Audi Nines" event
• FAFODI, 2018-2021: Optimised use of grease separators to recover resources and reduce negative environmental impacts (FAFODI)
• CIRCE 2020, 2017-2020: Dissemination of the circular economy concept in local production regions in Central Europe - operational waste avoidance through circular economy
• COMMITTEE, 2018-2019: The wastewater treatment plant in interaction with the waste and energy industry: A German-Austrian dialogue
• Added value for Innsbruck, 2016-2019: Coffee to go in the MehrWegbecher
• ENARA, 2017-2018: Energetic utilisation of biogenic fractions in residual waste as co-substrate in digestion towers of wastewater treatment plants
• ProNutrice, 2017-2018: Development of strategies and technologies for the utilisation of locally available organic residues for the generation of renewable energy; organic waste from households, organic supermarket waste, residues from the potato processing industry and the organic fraction from mixed municipal waste are being investigated, among others
• Littering, 2017: Littering - sorting analysis of waste from roadside greenery
• BioPot, 2016-2018: Bioenergy from edible fats - potential of mixed collected fat waste as a resource for biodiesel
• Resource-optimised use of fermentation residues from potato and food processing, 2016-2017: Optimisation of regional cycles in the area of food production; consideration of the best possible energetic use of biogas and the subsequent material recycling of residues from potato and food processing
• Energy from food waste from supermarkets, 2016-2017: Review of the applicability of collection systems for food waste at supermarkets; evaluation of the systems under technical, economic, hygienic and ecological aspects
• AraFerm, 2012-2017: Utilisation of organic residues in the digestion tower of wastewater treatment plants; determination of the impurity content of various substrates and possibilities for further removal of impurities; effects on the fermentation process and the overall process of the wastewater treatment plant
• AraFerm II, 2014-2017
• Low calorific value, 2014-2016: Examination of various dry and wet technical processes with regard to their suitability for processing the organic-rich fine fraction from household waste for use as a co-substrate in digestion towers of wastewater treatment plants
• Utilisation of dry biowaste, 2015: Comparison of different treatment options for the utilisation of dry biowaste; technical and economic evaluation (feasibility study)
• Processing of biowaste into co-substrate, 2015: Expansion of an existing composting plant with a treatment system to separate the soft organic matter from the biowaste for utilisation in the digestion tower of a wastewater treatment plant and composting of the remaining dry biowaste components Processing of biowaste for utilisation in the digestion tower; technical and economic evaluation (feasibility study)
• Benchmarking in waste management, 2013-2015: Evaluation of Austrian waste management with regard to achieving the objectives of the Waste Management Act. A joint project of the universities TU Vienna, BOKU Vienna, TU Leoben and LFU Innsbruck
• GastroFuel, 2013-2015: Biogenic waste and residues as a potential sustainable energy resource, development and testing of an on-site collection and processing system for organic waste from catering and commercial kitchens
• "Bioenergy from the kitchen", 2013-2014: Life cycle assessment of the collection and utilisation of used cooking oils from households
• Pyramet, 2013-2014: Testing of a pyrolysis process for the treatment of metal dusts, investigations on a semi-industrial plant
• MBT demonstration project Tunisia, 2013- 2014: Implementation and scientific monitoring of demonstration trials for mechanical-biological treatment in the province of Mjerda (Tunisia)
• Expansion of the Roppen biowaste fermentation plant, 2013-2014: Technical evaluation of various process options for expanding the plant capacity of the Roppen biowaste fermentation plant (feasibility study)
• Landfill Mining - Province of Tyrol, 2013: Determination of the recyclable material potential of an old landfill in Tyrol. Assessment of the economic viability of landfill decommissioning
• AshTreaT, 2012-2014: Wood ash utilisation in alpine forests; evaluation of technical possibilities for the application of ashes from biomass power plants; ecological assessment
• BioGAP, 2012-2014: Biogas and Ash Processing; Utilisation of biomass ash for the purification of biogas; Investigations on a semi-industrial scale at a biogas plant
• BioKasEn, 2012-2013: BioKasEn - Cascade utilisation of biowaste through lactate extraction prior to fermentation, taking into account energy efficiency
• Life cycle assessment comparison for the Karlsruhe waste management company, 2012-2013: Preparation of a life cycle assessment comparison of various biowaste treatment concepts
• Waste analyses Rhein-Lahn-Kreis (Germany), 2012-2013: Analyses of the material composition of household waste and separately collected packaging waste
• Life cycle assessment comparison for waste management companies (AWISTA), 2012: Preparation of a life cycle assessment comparison of various biowaste treatment concepts
• Waste management concept Wörgl, 2012: Development of a waste management concept for the town of Wörgl
• Eco Emballage (France), 2012: Development of a plant concept for separating plastic and metal packaging from household waste
• Life cycle assessment comparison for a composting plant in Würzburg, 2011-2012: Preparation of a life cycle assessment comparison of various biowaste treatment concepts
• Symevad (France), 2011-2012: Technical evaluation of various offers for the construction of a mechanical-biological treatment plant for residual waste in France
• South Africa, 2011-2012: Development of a residual waste concept for the city of Cape Town (South Africa)
• Manual for waste sortinganalyses, 2011-2012: Development of a manual for carrying out waste sorting analyses to characterise waste with regard to the production of substitute fuels
• Chlorine reduction in substitute fuels, 2011-2012: Investigations into the possibilities of chlorine reduction from organic waste components during the processing of waste into substitute fuels
• MBT concept Tunisia, 2011-2012: Evaluation of different MBT concepts for Tunisia
• MBT Norway, 2010-2012: Scientific advice on the design, implementation and evaluation of trials for the mechanical-biological treatment of waste in Norway
• Potential study MBT worldwide (Voith), 2010-2011: Preparation of a potential analysis for the worldwide use of mechanical-biological treatment plants
• Material flow analysis of the mechanical treatment plant Ahrental, 2010: Evaluation of the material flows and qualities of the mechanical treatment plant Ahrental (Innsbruck)
• Retrofitting an anaerobic digestion stage for the Quarzbichl biowaste treatment plant, 2009-2012: Expansion of the existing biowaste composting plant with an anaerobic digestion stage (feasibility study)
• Separation of impurities Quarzbichl, 2009-2012: Realisation of large-scale tests for the automatic separation of impurities from biowaste