Current Projects (selection)
Current research projects led by members of the working group:
Combination process for slurry treatment (GülleKOM)
Duration: 1.11.2021 - 31.10.2024
Financed by: BMEL / FNR; FKZ 2220WD004A
Partners:
- AEV Energy GmbH
- Ellmann Engineering (EE) GmbH
Brief Description / Project Content:
The core idea is to improve the economic and environmental efficiency of aerobic slurry denitrification processes in light of the problem of over-fertilisation. The aim of the project is the development of a practical slurry treatment process that combines aerobic nitrogen reduction techniques with energy utilisation in anaerobic processes (biogas reactors) and biomass recovery (proteins).
Specific project objectives are:
- Development of a modular model approach for slurry treatment and creation of the necessary data basis
- Reduction of the ammonium nitrogen content in slurry (aerobic technology)
- Utilisation of the energy content of slurry through biogas production (anaerobic technology)
- Improvement of the economic efficiency of slurry treatment
- Reduction of elemental nitrogen production by fixing soluble ammonium nitrogen in separable biomass
- Production of a transportable fertiliser (phosphorus and nitrogen fertiliser)
- Recovery of protein as a bioeconomy raw material (e.g. for adhesives, binders, and lubricant additives)
Contact project management:
Quantification of a group of syntrophic bacteria as a new biomarker for better control of biogas fermenters (Syncontrol)
Duration: 1.9.2024 - 28.2.2027
Financed by: BMBF
Partners:
- AMODIA Bioservice GmbH
- Prüf- und Forschungsinstitut Pirmasens e.V.
Brief Description - Project Content:
The overall objective of the "SynControl" project is to assess the suitability of syntrophic microorganisms as biomarkers for the monitoring and control of biogas plants, which are predominantly operated using residual and waste materials from industry and agriculture. Improved monitoring and control of biogas processes aim to enhance the efficiency of biogas plants, increase the proportion of residual and waste materials used in biogas production, and thereby contribute to reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
The part of the project undertaken by the DBFZ focuses on the planning and implementation of continuous fermenter tests under conditions that simulate process instability. In particular, the study will examine rapid fluctuations in substrate quality and shock loads that lead to a sudden reduction in hydraulic retention time. Through these investigations, potentially suitable biomarkers can be identified and validated under practical conditions. Additionally, selected biogas plants will be monitored, including an analysis of input substrates, to detect the identified microorganisms in running biogas plants and collect comparative chemical and physical data.
Contact project management:
Identification of enzymes from the digestive tract of the Eurasian beaver and potential application in the fermentation of lignified biomass (BiberZym)
Duration: 1.2.2023 bis 31.12.2025
Financed by: BMEL / FNR, FKZ
Partner:
- TU Dresden, Institute of Natural Materials Technology, Professor Bioprocess Engineering
Associated Partners:
- Oderbruch Water and Dyke Association (GEDO)
- District Nordsachsen, nature conservation authority
- District Leipzig, nature conservation authority
Brief Description / Project Content:
Beavers feed mostly on cellulose-rich material such as bark and twigs, particularly during the winter months. They are therefore evidently capable of highly efficient digestion of lignocellulose. This project aims to investigate the beaver’s specialised gut microbiome and its potential applications in technical processes. The specific research objectives are:
- Identification of the microorganisms/microbiome in the digestive tract of the beaver
- Characterisation of the seasonal beaver diet using feed analysis methods (digestibility)
- Regular sampling and analysis of the gut contents of beavers killed during the hunting saison
- Isolation of the enzymes responsible for efficient cellulose degradation
- Experimental studies on the effect of enzymes in large-scale biogas plants
- Investigating the possibility of a technical imitation of the digestion principle
Contact project management:
Methane emission model for open digestate/slurry storage facilities (MeMo)
Duration: 1.11.2021 - 31.10.2024
Financed by: BMEL / FNR; FKZ 222WD003X
Brief Description / Project Content:
The reduction of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from the storage of organic fertilisers is imperative in Germany and worldwide to counteract global warming. The MEMO project aims to provide a realistic insight into the seasonal methane emissions that occur under practical conditions in Germany. This will be achieved through (long-term) measurements on both laboratory and practical scales, as well as through the modelling of emissions from open or closed, non-gas-tight digestate storage facilities at biogas plants.
By evaluating different experimental systems using a model-based approach, a direct comparison and meaningful assessment of the available measurement methods for determining GHG emissions will be made for the first time. Additionally, the transferability of the MEMO model to slurry storage will be examined.
The specific objectives of the project are:
- Development of a new methane emission measurement methodology for non-gas-tight digestate and slurry storage (rain cover).
- Determination of seasonal emissions from digestate storage facilities.
- Further development of methane emission modelling.
- Derivation of up-to-date emission factors (global warming) for digestate storage, adjustments to GHG accounting, and validation of the IPCC assessment method
Contact project management:
Nutritional value - technically supported nutrient management in conjunction with biogas plants and cultivation areas
Duration: 1.07.2021 - 31.12.2024
Finanenced by: BMEL / FNR; FKZ 2220NR255A
Partners:
FH Münster Fachbereich Energie Gebäude Umwelt
Niedersachsen Netzwerk Nachwachsende Rohstoffe und Bioökonomie e.V. (3N)
Brief Description / Project Content:
The aim of the project is to develop and evaluate proven, integrated solutions for the treatment of fermentation products. Since both costs and technical risks tend to rise disproportionately with increasing purification levels, the innovative solutions for digestate treatment processes should be optimised in terms of overall costs.
Activities and Measures:
- Comparative testing of commercially available technologies under various operating conditions (different substrates, different levels of purification, machine settings) -neutrally providing results for users and manufacturers to support optimisation.
- Further development of promising technical approaches and identification of additional research needs to generate future potential for emission and cost reductions as well as optimisations in nutrient management.
- Development and testing of an on-site analyis system (NIRS) to significantly simplify the calculation of application rates for crop production, as well as administration and management (delivery notes, material flow balancing, identification of weak points).
- Integration of practically optimised applications of different fermentation products with agricultural use to implement efficient, environmentally friendly, and cost-effective solutions.
Contact project management: