Available master's theses projects

• Make your master's thesis work at Ecoloop

Since 2004, we at Ecoloop have been running circular journeys of change connected to society's resource flows of water, materials, and energy. We do this by driving processes and development journeys so that research can contribute to real societal benefit. The vision is a society with supply systems that conserve and regenerate resources. To achieve this, collaboration is key. We connect actors and drive development together with municipalities, business, academia as well as authorities and works. With us on the journey, we also have students who, through internships or degree projects, can participate and contribute to the transition towards a more resource-efficient society. More information on our website: https://www.ecoloop.se/ External link..

During the degree project, you will contribute to a research project, GREW and an Interreg project, ANCHOR. Within the research project GREW (Greywater for REuse – Where, why and how? Reuse of greywater: Where, why and how? (GREW) (2022-2027) External link. Luleå University of Technology (ltu.se) SLU and LTU have collected data in a current analysis of how Swedish municipalities think about source-sorting sewage systems (sewer systems where nutrient-rich small flows are kept separate from bath, dish and washing water, also called greywater) in new urban development (what driving forces are seen, what obstacles etc.). The survey has been sent out to the urban planning organization and the VA organization in the municipalities participating in the project: Luleå, Stockholm, Varberg and Falkenberg. The same survey has also been sent out to the urban planning organization and the VA organization in Sweden's other municipalities. In the current situation analysis, we will compare the results for the municipalities participating in the project with Sweden as a whole. The main tasks for the degree project will be to, together with the supervisor:

• make a plan for how the analysis should be laid out
• carry out the analysis
• write a report with the results
• link the survey results to relevant capacity- and knowledge-raising activities that can increase acceptance and understanding of source-sorting sewage systems in urban development

The results will be used in an Interreg project called ANCHOR, ( https://www.interregnorthsea.eu/anchor External link. )

The analysis will mainly take place in Excel or another tool for managing statistical analysis, so it is an advantage if you are familiar with Excel. We think that you might attend a civil engineering course linked to pedagogy. Knowledge of water systems and sustainability issues is important. Maybe you have a different background, get in touch if you think it sounds interesting and relevant even if you are not an engineering student. You need to be able to work in both Swedish and English. For more information, contact Elisabeth Kvarnström – elisabeth.kvarnstrom@ecoloop.se phone: 073-0730543. (2024-05-23)

• Master's thesis project at MittSverige Vatten & Avfall (only in Swedish)

At MittSverige Vatten och Avfall, there is a constant need for development and several questions that are well suited for degree work, both for students in professional preparation programs and for university and college students".

• Thesis projects at Härnösand Energi & Miljö

Härnösand Energi & Miljö offers graduate jobs in drinking water supply, wastewater management, stormwater and sewer networks.

Contact person:
Andreas Einarsson
Skolsamverkan
mobile 070-657 75 29
andreas.einarsson@hemab.se

• Master's thesis in stormwater retention at Sweco

Stormwater retention - differences between open versus underground solutions.

There is growing interest in above-ground stormwater solutions, partly because they are generally better able to cope with heavy rainfall and can also make a positive contribution to the urban environment and provide benefits for plants and animals. However, these facilities may require greater land take than those underground. In the early stages of site planning, there is often sufficient space to construct open stormwater facilities such as ditches, swales and ponds. In later stages when areas are elevated and other needs are clarified, there is a risk that the space is used for other purposes and that the stormwater facility instead becomes an underground solution, such as pipes, pipe storage, stone coffins, stormwater cassettes.

In this thesis, we propose a comparison between the choice of open stormwater solutions and underground solutions, based on several aspects. The type of facilities studied will be chosen at a later stage, after the scope and focus of the thesis has been clarified. Comparative aspects are also selected at a later stage, but can be, for example, cost of construction, other costs, delay function, land requirements, operation and maintenance. The study is proposed to be carried out for a smaller detailed plan area, with the possibility of study areas in relation to one of Sweco's completed or ongoing stormwater investigations. As part of the study, it is also proposed to compare differences in calculated retention needs between the StormTac tool and the methodology via Svenskt Vatten's P110.

Contacts:
Gustaf Josefsson Köhler gustaf.j.kohler@sweco.se, group manager Luleå Vatten
Karolina Bennitz karolina.bennitz@sweco.se, investigator Vatten

The "Luleå Water" group at Sweco currently consists of 11 investigators/designers/assignment managers who work with issues in the areas of: stormwater, drainage, hydrology, hydrogeology, management technology, water and wastewater technology, water and wastewater processes, etc.

• Thesis work at Norrvatten

Do you want to do a degree project that contributes to developing the drinking water supply of the future? Welcome to apply for a degree project at Norrvatten for 2024.

About Norrvatten

Norrvatten produces and distributes drinking water to 14 municipalities in northern Greater Stockholm. Nearly 700,000 people, several large hospitals and Arlanda Airport depend on Norrvatten to deliver healthy drinking water at all times. Norrvatten produces the drinking water in the Görväln plant in Järfälla and uses Lake Mälaren as a water source. Norrvatten also has several groundwater plants that can be used when needed.

Norrvatten is now engaged in intensive work to expand production capacity and improve treatment. Norrvatten is also working actively to implement measures that reduce the supply of unwanted substances to drinking water sources, known as upstream work. Of course, the produced water must be delivered in an environmentally friendly, resource-efficient and safe way to the drinking water consumers. To achieve this, Norrvatten is also constantly working to further develop the drinking water distribution.

Areas for thesis work

Several degree projects will be possible to carry out in 2024 and some may be able to start earlier. Here are some examples of work that may be relevant:

• Separation of PFAS in sludge from flotation for drinking water production.
• Optimization of flotation for drinking water production with regard to sludge flows and separation of PFAS.
• Follow-up of overall control strategy for increased capacity in existing rapid filters.
• Microbial barrier effect for different process steps,
• Forecast of future water use (domestic, utilities, industry).
• Leak detection on large dimension transmission lines.
• Climate change and conditions for drinking water supply - focus on the risk of quality changes in (Lake Mälaren).
• Climate change and conditions for drinking water supply - focus on groundwater availability and quality.
• Evaluation of models for early warning of pollution (Lake Mälaren).
• Separation of genotoxic effects in ultrafilters.
• Water Safety Plan for Norrvatten with an upstream perspective.
• Optimization of decanter centrifuges for dewatering.
• Investigation of dewatering properties of sludge from flotation for drinking water production.

In Norrvatten's R&D plan, there is a more detailed description of different areas that Norrvatten works with and which can form the basis for a future degree project. Please take a look at the R&D plan and come back with suggestions for the focus of your degree project.

Degree projects at Norrvatten can be both theoretical and more practically oriented. Primarily, it is degree projects at master's level that are relevant, but advanced bachelor's projects may also be relevant. Remuneration for completed work is SEK 20,000 for 20 credits and SEK 10,000 for 15 credits.

Expression of interest

Please send your application to daniel.hellstrom@norrvatten.se. Indicate "Interested in degree project" in the subject line. Expressions of interest are handled continuously.

• Degree projects at the Water Development Center

The Water Development Center is located at Campus Roslagen in Norrtälje. They currently offer three thesis proposals.

1. Testing of drinking water filters: The Water Center has received funding from HAV to test drinking water filters in two stages: first, standard pre-filters in our test lab and then filters for arsenic, uranium and lead on site with users. The project starts now and is expected to last only until November this year.
2. Water chemistry and physics of the aquaponics system: The water center has an aquaponics demo and will investigate the chemical and physical processes in the water depending on the combination of fish (tilapia at the moment) and plants (basil, tomatoes, etc.).
3. Optimization of drinking water, wastewater and community water and wastewater facilities (only one type of facility needs to be selected for a thesis).
4. Investigation of desalination plants in Sweden: what are they, what sizes, what technology? Operating data, costs, etc. Can be several theses
5. Governance and management of drinking water via communities. Technical solutions, level of knowledge, regulations in Lantmäteriet and Livsmedelsverket, cooperation or counteraction.
6. Metering of drinking water in communities is it a possible way to save water?
7. Governance and management of wastewater treatment via communities. Technical solutions, level of knowledge, etc.
8. Implementation of the new Water Framework Directive in registered installations outside the municipal network.
9. Radioactivity in drinking water, can it be tackled or is the legislation unrealistic?
10. Stormwater management in transformation and peri-urban areas, joint solutions, do they exist?
11. Smart grids, is it possible to combine decentralized and centralized systems? Example?
12. Wastewater treatment for 200-5000 pe in joint solutions and small treatment plants in municipalities. Similarities and differences, technology and management.

Contact person

Amelia Morey Strömberg
amelia.stromberg@campusroslagen.se

• Degree project Växjö municipality

Växjö municipality offers a degree project for one or two students. The work covers the choice of materials in water and wastewater networks based on climate and environmental impact.

Background information

Water and wastewater networks are built to last 50 - 100 years. There is a variety of materials to choose from, such as concrete, ductile iron and various plastics. Växjö municipality wants to explore the life cycle impact on climate and environment for different components.

Proposal for degree project

The proposal is that the degree project should ignore the manufacturing, construction, operation and recycling phase of the component. The focus is on CO2 emissions, but other environmental aspects are also desirable to investigate, for example:

• Extraction of raw materials
• Emissions of harmful substances when the component is manufactured
• Emissions of microplastics and harmful substances in the operational phase
• The extent to which the component can be recycled and the environmental impact of residual products.
• Transportation
• Working environment at each stage of the chain
  

The thesis can be divided into four main blocks:

• Literature study of the climate and environmental impact of different materials
  This may involve visiting manufacturing companies to study their manufacturing process.
• Convert the literature study to different climate and environmental impact components (wells, pipes, etc.) of different sizes.
• Investigate operational cost and functional aspects of different materials, such as future connections of wells and pipes with a certain material and maintenance costs related to different materials.
• Presentation of the results in table format. For example:
  • Pipe
    • Ø110 mm - Material A
    • Ø160 mm - Material B
  • Wells
    • Ø 600 mm - Material C
    • Ø 1 000 mm - Material D

The aim is to present a guide describing which material to choose for different components and different sizes of the component.

Student background

An adequate student background can be a suitable bachelor, master or civil engineering program. Independent courses with a focus on environment, construction, chemistry or similar can also be a suitable background.

The degree project is suitable for one or two students. There is flexibility to complete the work within 15 or 30 credits.

Languages

The thesis can be written in English or Swedish. It is a great advantage if English speaking students can utilize some written Swedish as the municipality mainly uses Swedish.

Start date

The start date is flexible.

Location

The thesis can be done remotely. However, it would be good to have some visits to Växjö.

Contact at Växjö municipality

Niklas Karlsson
Project manager at the VA department, Växjö municipality
0470-418 64
niklas.karlsson2@vaxjo.se

• Thesis on PFAS at Tekniska Verken, Linköping, Sweden

We are looking for ex-workers who are curious about PFAS. Are you a future civil engineer, environmental scientist or equivalent with an interest in the environment? We at Tekniska verken in Linköping are currently looking for one or two driven students who want to do their degree project with us. The task is to find out more about how PFAS affects our operations, but also how our operations and emissions affect our recipients, and what we can do about it.

Your task

A large part of the work involves collecting, compiling and analyzing the knowledge and data that exists today, supplemented by sampling and own investigations. In the assignment, we also want, based on the results and knowledge obtained, an action program to be developed with the aim of reducing Tekniska verkens impact on the recipients with regard to PFAS.

Your profile

We are looking for you who are studying to become a civil engineer, environmental scientist, etc. preferably in water/ environment/chemistry.

Other information

Start: Earliest after summer 2023
Location: Linköping.

Contact person

Magnus Hammar
Phone: 013 20 83 77
magnus.hammar@tekniskaverken.se

• Degree project at Tyréns

Tyréns is one of Sweden's leading consulting companies in sustainable urban development. Our foundation makes it possible to purposefully invest in research and development in the field of urban planning. Tyréns now offers the opportunity for several exciting degree projects in circular systems - reuse of stormwater and rainwater.

Rain and storm water recycling

Today, our societies have a temporary surplus and a temporary deficit of water. The surplus leads to flooding problems and the deficit leads to water scarcity. These problems are further accelerated by ongoing climate change. One way to deal with the problem is rainwater and stormwater recycling, where water is collected and reused locally for different types of needs.
Tyréns now offers three different degree projects in the area starting in spring 2024. The work is carried out partly or entirely at one of Tyréns' offices.

Below are proposals for the different degree projects and contact information for the application.
Welcome with your application!

Thesis 1: Follow-up of recycling projects

Follow-up of completed projects in Sweden and the Nordic countries where residential areas and properties have systems for reusing rain and storm water. The thesis aims to learn from these projects, how was the outcome versus the ambitions of the projects?

Main question: Ambition and forecast versus outcome regarding:

• Costs
• Energy use
• Environmental impact/sustainability

Thesis 2: Decision support through multicriteria analysis

This thesis examines whether the multi-criteria analysis tool WISER provides sufficient support to evaluate different options for rainwater harvesting, and to decide where harvesting would be a sustainable investment.

Main questions:

• Which system types for rainwater reuse are available on the Swedish market and which needs can be met with each system?
• Which sustainability criteria (technical, social, environmental) are appropriate to use in the analysis of rainwater harvesting, as an alternative to using drinking water?
• Does WISER provide the necessary support to decide whether recycling is a sustainable option? The tool is tested in a real case.

Task 3: GIS tool for overview mapping

Rainwater harvesting is most interesting when assets can meet needs that are relatively close geographically. GIS tools could be used to calculate assets and needs and to prioritize possible sites for rainwater harvesting.

Main questions:

• How can rainwater resources be analyzed using GIS? How can image analysis be used in this context?
• How can water demand be mapped using open data in GIS and calculated based on different consumption purposes?
• Setting up a GIS tool and applying it to at least one area, for ranking rainwater harvesting sites.

Contact us

Ask questions and register interest to Johan Kjellin (Tel. 010-4522637, johan.kjellin@tyrens.se) or to Johan Åström (Tel. 010-4523183, johan.astrom@tyrens.se).

• Degree projects in resource-efficient wastewater systems

Please contact Inga Herrmann if you are interested in doing your thesis in the field of resource efficient wastewater systems! Right now it is possible to do a thesis in the following themes:

Constructed wetlands for wastewater treatment in cold climates

We have installed a pilot plant in Luleå municipality that is equipped with sensors and the possibility of flow-proportional sampling. The focus of the thesis can be on climate adaptation or treatment capacity where pharmaceutical residues can also be included.

Apatite as a filter material for phosphorus removal

Screened apatite material from Morocco is available in the environmental lab for lab and/or small pilot scale tests. Biologically treated wastewater is sampled from a treatment plant in Luleå municipality and the filter is loaded from above, either in the lab or outdoors. Phosphorus removal capacity is determined under varying loading and possibly temperature.

Fertilizer production of toilet water

A ceramic membrane is tested for filtering black water in RecoLab in Helsingborg. The black water is digested and the membrane filtration is intended to generate a consistent water quality for subsequent processes; struvite precipitation and ammonia stripping. The work is carried out in cooperation with NSVA in Helsingborg.

Management of bathing, dishwashing and washing water

Here it is possible to collaborate with Stockholm Vatten och Avfall on the theme of gray water management in Stockholm Royal Seaport. It is also possible to work with a green wall for BDT water treatment and evaluate the growth of plants and/or the treatment function.

Urine sorting

Urine discharge of wastewater is attractive under certain conditions and is discussed in several places. In which cities can urine sorting be an attractive alternative? The work is done in collaboration with SLU.

• Uncertainties in flow determinations from cheap measurement sensors - IoT

Wastewater flows in existing sewer networks are an important data that can influence decisions on future developments, network renewal, control of inflows/outflows and opportunities for wastewater heat recovery. It can also be said that the higher the temporal and spatial resolution of the flow data, the better decisions can ultimately be made.

However, continuously measuring wastewater flows at different points in the network is resource-intensive with traditional meters, based on water level and water velocity. Another method is to install water level meters, which are cheaper, require less maintenance and can thus be installed in more locations. However, the disadvantage is that the flow needs to be calculated with Manning's equation and the measurement accuracy can be greatly reduced due to uncertainties in pipe geometry, Manning's number and slope or due to possible accumulations of e.g. sediment and grease that cause backwater flows in the system.

The purpose of the thesis is to investigate how uncertainty of flow measurements with cheap water level meters can be kept down by appropriate selection of measurement points, redundant measurements, measurement of other factors (e.g. temperature) and learning patterns in real-time data that can indicate backwater or inflow. The work also aims to explore how the measurements can support real-time operation and maintenance of networks (indicating deviation from the normal operating mode of the system), even in conditions not suitable for accurate measurement of wastewater flow.

The work may involve data analysis and/or field and/or laboratory work. The scope and detailed focus of the thesis is determined after discussion and agreement between the student, supervisor/examiner and any interested municipality/utility company.

Contact: Youen Pericault and Annelie Hedström.

• Stormwater-related thesis projects

Currently, there are several proposals for stormwater-related degree projects at LTU. These works will be carried out within different research projects, partly in cooperation with municipalities.

Online measurements of stormwater quality

Online sensors have been used to characterize the water quality in the stormwater inflow and outflow from a biofilter plant in Sundsvall. In addition, a dataset based on water sampling is available. In this thesis, turbidity from sensor data can be calculated for the periods where sampling has been carried out. From this, the sensor data is compared with turbidity measured in samples, the relationship TSS-turbidity and TSS-other pollutants (to see how these parameters vary between sampling points and also between and within rain events) and potentially try to make some long-term load calculations.

Contact: Kelsey Flanagan

Factors affecting vegetation dynamics on green roofs

The aim is to investigate factors that influence vegetation changes over time on green roofs in northern Sweden. This will be done by combining existing vegetation data with new data collected by the student (mainly solar pathfinder measurements). Statistical analyses will be used to identify relationships between these data, the vegetation survey and other parameters (e.g. climate, nutrient availability, etc.).

Contact: Godecke-Tobias Blecken

Impact of stormwater on receiving waters

For three receiving waters, water and sediment quality has been analyzed during dry and wet weather. The aim is to understand the impact of stormwater on urban water bodies. Data include microplastics, organic pollutants, metals, nutrients, etc. The investigated watercourses are in Uppsala, Söderköping and Norrköping. In this thesis, parts of these extensive datasets can be analyzed. Models such as stormtac can be used to compare the model results with the measured data.

Contact: Heléne Österlund and Godecke-Tobias Blecken