Internships Anaerobic Digestion

For the Anaerobic Digestion engineering department we are looking for interns! The following internships / graduation assignments are available. Apply using the apply button and select the (graduation) internship you are interested in.

Research on anaerobic digestion of chicken manure

Biomethane from chicken manure in the Netherlands has a huge potential. However, anaerobic digestion of chicken manure is a challenge. At one of HoSt’s own plants in the Netherlands, we want to add chicken manure to the current cattle manure ‘feedstock menu’ to produce more biogas. Chicken manure produces more gas, but it also contains elements that in high concentration are harmful to the bacteria in the digester.

The study focuses on large-scale fermentation of chicken manure. For this purpose, a mini digester is available at the laboratory in Enschede. With this digester, the effect and result of fermenting chicken manure can be investigated. For this, a 'feedstock menu' needs to be determined with which to run the digester, and the digestate will need to be separated. The thin fraction must be stripped of nitrogen and recirculated. The aim is to push the limit of digestion, with the digester processing the maximum amount of chicken manure. Here, an optimum must be sought for gas production, stable digestion, and the effect of nitrogen, Sulphur, and salts on digestion.

Your tasks:

• Literature study on the effects of nitrogen, sulphur and salts on biogas production; 
• Literature study on fermentation (lab scale or larger) on chicken manure; 
• Investigation of parameters of existing chicken manure digesters;
• Drawing up a measurement plan to determine the effects of chicken manure on biogas production and digestion stability; 
• Performing measurements on the continuous digester (12 L) at the lab; 
• Maximising the amount of chicken manure that can be digested in terms of gas production, determining the effects of nitrogen, sulphur and salts;
• Determining other effects of chicken manure on the digestion process.

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Who are you?

• BSc / MSc in Chemical Engineering / Mechanical Engineering / Sustainable Energy;
• Interested in sustainable energy technology;
• Plan-minded and independent worker.

What do we offer?

• Working at the technology forefront of the energy transition;
• Groundbreaking tech company in the field of biofuels, carbon capture and thermal conversion;
• Minimum wage based on 40 hours per week for interns with an EU working license / Monthly fixed fee of € 400 based on 40 hours per week for students without an EU working license. Please note: it depends on your type of internship at HoSt which fee you receive;
• Lots of responsibility and room for own initiatives;
• Professional support, guidance and insights;
• Interesting international environment only a 5-minute walk from the ‘Kennispark’ train station in Enschede;
• Nice and sustainable welcome gift;
• A dynamic, energetic, passionate young team;
• Flexibility in working from home / office.

Interested?

Go to www.careersathost.com/internships to apply for this internship. General questions can be addressed to Mariëtte Huis in `t Veld, internship coordinator at internship@host.nl. For questions and more details about the internship please contact Ciska Labuschagne (Hiring Manager) on +31 (0) 53 - 460 90 80.