WASTE MANAGEMENT AND BIOPROCESSING LABORATORY
The Waste Management and Bioprocesses Laboratory aims at the development, optimization and comprehensive evaluation of innovative bioprocesses for the valorisation of organic waste, agro-industrial by-products and municipal sludge towards the production of biogas, biomethane, biohydrogen and other high value-added bio-based products. The research activities cover the entire process chain, from experimental design and reactor operation (at laboratory and pilot scale) to systematic data analysis and bioprocess modelling. Particular emphasis is placed on the study of microbial communities in waste treatment systems, through microbial and molecular analyses, with the aim of linking structure and function and gaining deeper insight into biotransformation mechanisms. The use of advanced modelling and computational simulation tools supports rational process design, performance prediction and process optimization.
- Determination of total and volatile solids (TS, VS) in waste.
- Determination of organic load (COD, TOC).
- Basic physicochemical parameters (pH, conductivity, alkalinity).
- Volatile fatty acids and VFA/alkalinity ratio (digestion stability).
- Biogas composition analysis (CH₄, CO₂, H₂S etc.) by gas chromatography.
- Determination of biogas/biomethane production potential (Biochemical Methane Potential, BMP).
- Nutrients: NH₄⁺, NO₃⁻, TKN, total P, orthophosphates.
- Heavy metals and trace elements in solid and liquid waste samples.
- Microbial quantification and community analysis (e.g. qPCR, 16S rRNA).
- Development and kinetic analysis of anaerobic digestion and co-digestion processes for organic waste.
- Production, upgrading and energy valorisation of biogas/biomethane and biohydrogen.
- Bioprocess modelling, incorporation of artificial intelligence and machine learning for the process optimization and reactor performance prediction.
- Study of the structure and function of microbial communities in waste(water) treatment systems.
- Development of biorefineries for nutrient recovery and bio-based products.
- Evaluation and calibration of field sensors using laboratory methods.
- Assessment of stability, hygienic quality and soil application potential of digestates.
- Digital monitoring of processes and development of decision-support tools.
