Master Thesis: Methane removal from ventilation air at Henriksdal

Methane is a strong greenhouse gas which is 28 times more potent than carbon dioxide. Methane is formed by microorganisms as a result of anaerobic transformation of organic matter. In wastewater handling, anaerobic conditions prevail in wastewater network, during the first wastewater treatment steps and in sludge handling processes at wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs). In order to limit methane emissions, an intensive work is being done to find biogas leaks and to destruct the methane in ventilation air. However, some ventilation streams have methane content significantly lower than 2 000 ppm, which is the lower limit for destruction using existing matured technologies. Direct methane emissions at Henriksdal WWTP stand for around 40% of all the climate impact of wastewater treatment and can be lowered if a suitable method for methane destruction be found and implemented.

1 plats(er).

ARBETSUPPGIFTER

In the proposed project several alternatives of methane destruction will be tested experimentally. Biological trickling filters can be used for aerobic degradation of methane and it was demonstrated that the conversion rate can be significantly increased by applying a mixture of water and silicon oil as the liquid medium compared with using only water (Lebrero et al. 2015). It is planned to operate two trickling filters within the project, one with water and one with two-liquid medium, and treat real ventilation air from methane at Henriksdal WWTP. Methane and hydrogen sulphide reduction will be monitored. Moreover, chemical analysis of the liquid medium for nitrogen and phosphorus species will be performed regularly.

Another opportunity which will be explored is using the polluted air for aeration in the biological treatment step of the wastewater treatment process. This possibility will be explored in lab or pilot scale.

Two other possibilities, which will most probably be investigated only theoretically, is concentration by gas membranes and destruction in a membrane aerated biological reactor.

This Thesis project is experimentally oriented and big part of the work will include running experiments and performing chemical analyses. The Master Thesis project is to be performed during the spring term 2027 (30 hp).

KVALIFIKATIONER

To be eligible for this thesis project, you should be enrolled in a program within chemistry, environmental engineering, water engineering, or another relevant field of study.

Most of the work will be performed at Henriksdals reningsverk (Värmdövägen 23, Stockholm). Daily attendance is required.

Industrial supervisor: Andriy Malovanyy, andriy.malovanyy@svoa.se (SVOA).

Practical help: Gabriel Persson (SVOA).

This specific project is intended solely for students planning to conduct their thesis during the spring term 2027. However, if you are interested in doing a thesis project with us during the autumn semester of 2027, there may be opportunities closer to that time.

Anställningsform: Tidsbegränsad anställning.

The applicants are invited to send a short motivation letter (do not use AI !), a CV, and a transcript of records from education on university level with name of the courses and grades for those. The application can be done in English or Swedish. The Thesis can be written in either English or Swedish. The last day to apply is 15th of Dec 2025. Candidate selection is done continuously and will most probably be finalized in November. In line with SVOA policy, a successfully completed Master's project is rewarded with a compensation of 1 000 SEK (pre-tax) for every hp of the project (30 000 kr for a 30 hp project).