Register now After registration you will be able to apply for this opportunity online.
This opportunity is not published. No applications will be accepted.
Cleaning of bio-waste containers directly during emptying with the waste collection vehicle
Bio-waste (also called organic waste or green waste) can be used as a sustainable feedstock for the production of biogas: an alternative energy source. However, In order to be efficient, a biogas plant must process large amounts of organic material. Currently, Entsorgung + Recycling Zürich (ERZ) processes bio-waste from households that is stored in special green containers and collected weekly with compactor trucks. This material then gets converted into biogas (or compost) at the fermentation plant.
As each green bin serves numerous households and is quite deep (approximately 1.5m), liquids seep down and pool at the bottom, while other particles may stick to the container walls. When ERZ arrives on site, the containers are emptied into the trucks and later placed back to their original location, but without cleaning them. Cleaning is either left to the landlord or done with a specialized vehicle, but is rare, and the containers may become less appealing to use over time.
In cooperation with ERZ a method to clean the bio-waste containers directly during the collection tour needs to be investigated and a prototype for such a device should be the outcome of the project.
In the course of the project, the student will be responsible to:
- Analyze the current state in which the containers are placed back to their locations and document possible troubles
- Evaluate available cleaning solutions and their possible implementation for this project
- Develop and prototype suitable design(s) for cleaning the containers (automation desired)
- Test and evaluate the developed design(s) at site with the workers of ERZ
- Make recommendations for ERZ
We are looking for a Masters-level mechanical engineering student, for this thesis project, with skills in design, hands-on production, data collection and analysis, as well as an interest in sustainable energy and organic waste management.
In cooperation with ERZ a method to clean the bio-waste containers directly during the collection tour needs to be investigated and a prototype for such a device should be the outcome of the project.
In the course of the project, the student will be responsible to:
- Analyze the current state in which the containers are placed back to their locations and document possible troubles
- Evaluate available cleaning solutions and their possible implementation for this project
- Develop and prototype suitable design(s) for cleaning the containers (automation desired)
- Test and evaluate the developed design(s) at site with the workers of ERZ
- Make recommendations for ERZ
We are looking for a Masters-level mechanical engineering student, for this thesis project, with skills in design, hands-on production, data collection and analysis, as well as an interest in sustainable energy and organic waste management.
Advisor: Andreas Lindau (ERZ)
Supervisors: Prof. Dr. Elizabeth Tilley
**Contact information:**
Name: Prof. Dr. Elizabeth Tilley
Email: tilleye@ethz.ch