Circular Valorisation of Agro-Industrial Waste
Circular Valorisation of Agro-Industrial Waste for Sustainable Water Remediation
Lead Supervisor: Roberto Volpe
Degree Programme: Chemical Engineering
Co-Supervisor:
Flurin Eisner (School of Engineering and Materials Science)
Project Description
Agricultural value chains generate vast quantities of biomass residues, and much of the environmental burden stays in the low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) where commodities are grown. At the same time, unequal access to safe drinking water persists, and waterborne disease remains a major cause of childhood mortality in resource-constrained settings. Uganda is one example of this intersection: coffee and banana production generate large lignocellulosic waste streams, much of it left to decompose or used in low-value applications, while inadequate wastewater infrastructure compromises surface and groundwater quality.
This PhD will develop a circular solution: converting locally generated biomass waste into functional materials for local water treatment. Pyrolysis is especially attractive as a relatively simple thermochemical process compatible with technologies already used in many LMICs. Recent work at QMUL provides strong proof of concept: biochar made from coffee silverskin reduced Escherichia coli in contaminated water by up to 97%. Potassium carbonates naturally concentrated during pyrolysis dissolve to form bicarbonates with bacteriostatic and bactericidal activity.
You will:
• Establish relationships between feedstock composition, pyrolysis conditions, biochar morphology and inorganic chemistry, and antimicrobial performance against E. coli
• Use coffee-processing residues as a benchmark, then extend the approach to other locally abundant wastes such as banana residues
• Characterise materials using advanced techniques, including operando X-ray imaging
• Help build a transferable waste-to-clean-water framework for low-cost, decentralised water treatment
The project tackles waste management, resource efficiency and inequality in access to safe water at once, with clear potential for real-world impact.
What we're looking for in a student
We seek a motivated candidate with a first or upper-second class degree (or equivalent), and ideally a Master’s, in chemical engineering, materials science, chemistry, environmental engineering or a related discipline. Experience in thermochemical processing, materials characterisation, laboratory microbiology or water treatment is desirable but not essential. Strong interest in sustainability and global challenges, good communication skills and willingness to work across disciplines are key. The student will receive training in biomass pyrolysis, biochar production and engineering, advanced materials characterisation (including operando X-ray imaging), and antimicrobial testing. They will have access to pyrolysis and characterisation facilities at QMUL, and opportunities to engage with established partners in Uganda. Transferable skills training, conference attendance and publication will be supported.
Key words: Biochar, sustainable water remediation, lower and middle-income countries, organic waste valorisation