About the Resource Recovery group
A considerable amount of waste and wastewater is produced globally, and the amount is expected to increase as a result of increasing human activities. In recent years, the concept of resource recovery as a part of circular bioeconomy has been gaining increasing attention due to a range of environmental challenges. In this concept, the waste and wastewater are considered as a valuable resource, which can be recycled, being feedstock to new products or reused via various processes.
Our research group aims at identifying the needs and developing holistic solutions for resource recovery from wastewater and organic waste sources including domestic and industrial wastewater from conventional and decentralized treatment systems, aquaculture wastewater, sewage sludge, animal manure, digestate, food waste and solid waste. Our research activities address various global issues related to energy and resources by replacing finite resources and reducing GHG emissions within circular bioeconomy approach.
Decentralized water treatment systems and nature-based solutions
- Lead: Arve Heistad
- Grey water
- Black/yellow water
- Constructed wetlands
- Soil infiltration
Energy recovery and biorefinery concepts
- Anaerobic digestion
- Bioelectrochemistry
- Pyrolysis
- Biopolymers
Nutrient recovery and biobased fertilizers
- Biochar technologies
- Sorption
- Struvite precipitation
- Microalgea production
Contaminants of emerging concern
- Lead: Melesse Eshetu Moges, in collaboration with Roland Kallenborn
- Microplastics
- Pharmaceuticals
- PFAS
- Microbial resistance
Environmental impact and health risks
- Lead: Arve Heistad and John Morken, in collaboration with Vegard Nilsen and Mette Myrmel
- Life cycle assessment
- Greenhouse gas emissions
- Hygiene
- Health risks
- SEA-CYCLE (RCN Researcher Project for Young Talents, 2024-2027)
- HydroAntec (RCN/Antec Biogas, 2022-2025)
- NMBU Sustainability Arena: Towards sustainable cities and communities (2021-2024)
- Forum for circular economy in the wastewater industry (2021-2030)
- SiEUGreen (EU H2020, 2018-2021, coordinator MINA, NMBU)