Implementation and evaluation of a real-time capable approach to sensor-based sorting using CNNs© Lehrstuhl für Abfallverwertungstechnik und Abfallwirtschaft der Montanuniversität Leoben (12/2024)
In state-of-the-art optical sorting, engineered image processing algorithms are commonly used to identify materials. However, for complex material textures and high- ensity material streams, these approaches are often unable to maintain the desired sorting quality. Convolutional neural networks (CNNs) have been proven to outperform such approaches in their ability to classify objects in images.
The Allegory of Stupidity and Waste© Lehrstuhl für Abfallverwertungstechnik und Abfallwirtschaft der Montanuniversität Leoben (12/2024)
This paper on the allegory of stupidity and waste is a more or less daring view on tomorrow’s capabilities in global waste management. A society facing seemingly unresolvable ecological challenges seems to be immune to its own overconsumption.
Improvement of Polymer Segmentation by X-ray Phase Contrast Computed Tomography© Lehrstuhl für Abfallverwertungstechnik und Abfallwirtschaft der Montanuniversität Leoben (12/2024)
The escalating global plastic waste generation necessitates efficient recycling methods for polymers. A major challenge in this context is the separation of individual materials from a mixture of polymers to obtain a high-quality recycled product.
Modification of the sewage sludge ash P-mineralogy by thermo-chemical
treatment with LF slags© Lehrstuhl für Abfallverwertungstechnik und Abfallwirtschaft der Montanuniversität Leoben (11/2022)
As an essential nutrient Phosphorus (P) is an important constituent in fertilisers used in agriculture. However, almost the entire amount of P used in Europe must be imported from sources worldwide. High amounts of P are concentrated in sewage sludge from mostly municipal sewage. From 2029 P-recycling from sewage sludge is mandatory for wastewater treatment plants in Germany. In this study, a process which uses a thermo-chemical treatment of sewage sludge ash (SSA) with Ca-carriers, is developed. The method succeeds in producing materials which match the demands for plant available P and as proven by chemical extraction and pot trials as required by national and European regulations for fertilisers. This was achieved by treating the molten SSA with burnt lime and slags from Ca-rich ladle furnace (LF-slag) which results in the formation of better soluble P-minerals in comparison to the phases whitlockite and apatite mostly abundant in SSA.
Development of an approximation model for the evaluation of slag treatment strategies© Lehrstuhl für Abfallverwertungstechnik und Abfallwirtschaft der Montanuniversität Leoben (11/2022)
Sustainable management of resources and circular economy are key focal points of
research and development activities within the iron and steel industry. In the project Slagreus, a novel approach enhancing internal and external recycling of basic oxygen furnace (BOF) slag has been developed.
Collective research projects: Reviewing gaps in the recycling of multilayer flexible food packaging© Lehrstuhl für Abfallverwertungstechnik und Abfallwirtschaft der Montanuniversität Leoben (11/2020)
Recyclability and sustainability are conflicts in multilayer flexible food packaging, where material combinations (polymers, paper, aluminium) intend functionality. To increase the sustainability of multilayer flexible packaging through recyclable solutions, systemic and technical obstacles need to be considered. A holistic redesign approach, addressing food protection and the packaging’s end of life (collection, sorting, recycling) is essential to improve these already sustainable packaging solutions. To this, current collective research projects at the University of Applied Sciences, aim to closely link science and industry, promote research in the field of sustainable packaging and provide solutions to recycling goals of the European Union.
PlasticFreeDanube: Composition of macro-plastic waste in and along the Danube River© Lehrstuhl für Abfallverwertungstechnik und Abfallwirtschaft der Montanuniversität Leoben (11/2020)
The reliable estimates are essential to developing measures to reduce plastic pollution and to make successes measurable and visible. For this reason, the cross-border project "PlasticFreeDanube" (PFD), which is co-financed by the European Regional Development Fund within the framework of Interreg Slovakia-Austria, aims to gain new knowledge on this topic for the Danube.