Säker återföring och hantering av växtnäring
Course description
The aim of the course is to give the student knowledge in current waste and wastewater management techniques, with focus on technologies for plant nutrient recovery and reuse. Today, 75% of all biodegradable solid waste is landfilled or dumped and 90% of all wastewater generated is either not treated or only partially treated. In cases when the waste is treated, treatments are not focused on recycling, but rather removal, of plant nutrients, as they can otherwise risk to pollute the environment. If the plant nutrients in the waste and wastewater were collected they could replace 25-50% of the virgin resources used for production of chemical fertilisers used in agriculture. Looking at waste and wastewater as resources is a paradigm shift, and for this shift to happen new technologies and management systems are required. When closing the loop of nutrients there is a risk of recycling unwanted substances as well, e.g. heavy metals, organic micropollutants, pathogens and antimicrobial resistance. Upon completion of the course the student should know the flow of waste and wastewater in society, possible treatment methods for closing the loop of nutrients and the associated risks associated with closed loop systems, as well as methods for mitigating circulation of unwanted substances.
Course facts
P000159, Säker återföring och hantering av växtnäring, 5.0 Hp
Print syllabus
Syllabus
Valid from : First half-year 2026 (2026-01-01)
Level
Third cycle
Subject
Technology
Grading Scale
The grade requirements within the course grading system are set out in specific criteria. These criteria must be available by the course start at the latest.
Course language
English
Entry Requirements
### Prior knowledge
- 90 credits in natural science
Objectives
The aim of the course is to give the student knowledge in current waste and wastewater management techniques, with focus on technologies for plant nutrient recovery and reuse. Today, 75% of all biodegradable solid waste is landfilled or dumped and 90% of all wastewater generated is either not treated or only partially treated. In cases when the waste is treated, treatments are not focused on recycling, but rather removal, of plant nutrients, as they can otherwise risk to pollute the environment. If the plant nutrients in the waste and wastewater were collected they could replace 25-50% of the virgin resources used for production of chemical fertilisers used in agriculture. Looking at waste and wastewater as resources is a paradigm shift, and for this shift to happen new technologies and management systems are required. When closing the loop of nutrients there is a risk of recycling contaminants, such as heavy metals and organic micropollutants and to transmit pathogens and antimicrobial resistance. The course aims to provide an understanding of systems for recycling plant nutrients and organic matter from biodegradable waste (biowaste) and wastewater, the treatment processes involved, and how these processes can recover resources and mitigate risks.
Learning objectives
After completing the course, the student should be able to:
- Describe the sources, flows and characteristics of solid waste and wastewater and suggest methods for management of the different fractions.
- Compare – in terms of process efficiency, environmental impact and system complexity – biowaste management technologies: composting, protein production and anaerobic digestion.
- Explain how conventional and circular management wastewater systems differs regarding technologies, nutrient recycling potential and environmental impact.
- Argue for how circular systems can be managed to handle the risks related to different waste and wastewater fractions
Content
Module 1: Solid waste – generation, composition and management
Module 2: Organic waste – Composting, Anaerobic digestion, Protein production
Module 3: Wastewater – generation, composition and management, circular systems for wastewater management
Module 4: Risk and management – Pathogens and other contaminants/pollutants
Each module consists of an introductory lecture of 45 min followed by three weeks of reading and preparation for peer discussions (reading material and questions regarding the topic will be distributed). At the end of each module, the student submits a brief report of their own answers to the questions and we have a 2 h seminar about the topic where we share what we learned and insights.
Examination Formats and Requirements for Passing the Course
Approved written exercises. Participation in seminars.
Responsible Department/Equivalent
Department of Energy and Technology
Supplementary information
Other Information
This course is organized within the Sustainable biomass systems - food, energy and biomaterials (SBS) graduate school of the NJ faculty.