Internship on Feasibility of Aeration Step in Industrial Wastewater Treatment
Key Skills
Job Description
Feasibility Study of an Aeration Step in Industrial Wastewater Treatment The production facility of FrieslandCampina in Veghel generates wastewater during dairy processing and cleaning activities. The current wastewater treatment configuration primarily consists of an anoxic denitrification step followed by a Dissolved Air Flotation (DAF) unit. Treated effluent is subsequently discharged to the municipal sewer system.Although the existing system effectively removes nitrate and part of the organic load, no dedicated aerobic treatment step is currently available. An aeration step may provide additional COD removal, nitrification capacity, odor reduction, improved process stability, and improved effluent quality. This internship focuses on evaluating whether an aeration step can be integrated into the existing wastewater treatment plant and identifying the most suitable solution from a technical, economic, operational, and environmental perspective. Your findings will directly support investment and technology decisions for one of FrieslandCampina's largest production locations.The main objective of the internship is to determine the technical and economic feasibility of implementing an aerobic treatment step in the existing wastewater treatment process. What you will do: Literature study on aerobic wastewater treatment technologies, biological COD removal, nitrification, sulfur oxidation and odor prevention• Comparison of aerobic treatment technologies including Activated Sludge, Sequencing Batch Reactor (SBR), Moving Bed Biofilm Reactor (MBBR) and Membrane Aerated Biofilm Reactor (MABR). Design and execution of laboratory-scale experiments to evaluate treatment performance Determination of oxygen demand and aeration requirements Assessment of impacts on COD removal, nitrification performance, nitrogen removal efficiency, sulfide formation and odor emissions. Evaluation of operational risks and integration with current processing Preparation of a conceptual design including mass balance and sizing calculations Development of CAPEX and OPEX estimates Selection of the preferred technology and recommendations for implementationRequirements What we aks: Higher professional education (HBO) or University level Studies related to Environmental Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Process Engineering, Biotechnology, Water Technology or Food Technology Interested in biological wastewater treatment Experience with data analysis is a plus Interest in laboratory and pilot-scale experimentation Reporting language: English Duration: 4-6 months Independent, analytical, proactive and structured personality What we offer A challenging internship with real industrial impact. Guidance from experienced process and wastewater treatment specialists. Internship allowance in line with FrieslandCampina policy. Experience within an international dairy company focused on sustainability and circular resource management. For thousands of people every day, we are more than just a dairy company. To our farmers, our employees, the communities we serve, the businesses we work with and the people to whom we bring happiness, FrieslandCampina means something more. For them it's not just about what we do, but who we are. We value talented people from any background who want to contribute to something bigger than themselves. We encourage all of our employees to make decisions that benefit our entire company. At FrieslandCampina we own our own career and act accordingly. We trust you to make a difference in your job and influence the bigger picture. Working at FrieslandCampina means you are contributing to a better world. Add a description about the department, team or specific location.
Core Responsibilities
Evaluate the technical and economic feasibility of adding an aerobic treatment step to the existing industrial wastewater treatment plant, including laboratory-scale testing and comparison of treatment technologies. Develop a conceptual design, assess operational and environmental impacts, estimate CAPEX and OPEX, and recommend a preferred technology for implementation.
Requirements
Applicants should be studying at HBO or university level in a relevant field such as environmental, chemical, or process engineering, biotechnology, water technology, or food technology, and have an interest in biological wastewater treatment. Data analysis experience is a plus; applicants should be interested in laboratory and pilot-scale experimentation and be independent, analytical, proactive, and structured.
Benefits
- Internship Allowance
- Guidance From Experienced Specialists
- Industrial Experience
About FrieslandCampina
Industry: Food and Beverage Manufacturing
Company size: 10,001+ employees
FrieslandCampina is a large international dairy company with a cooperative history dating back more than 150 years. The company processes milk into a wide range of dairy products and ingredients. Royal FrieslandCampina N.V. is fully owned by Zuivelcoöperatie FrieslandCampina U.A., with 15,000 dairy farmers in the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany and France as members. Through the cooperative, these member dairy farmers jointly own the company. FrieslandCampina provides consumers with dairy products, such as milk, yoghurt, condensed milk, dairy-based beverages, cheese, butter, quark and cream. The dairy company supplies specific nutrition geared to meet the needs of specific consumer groups, such as children, the elderly and sportspeople. Professional customers, such as bakers, pastry chefs, chocolate confectioners, chefs and caterers can also rely on our broad product range, including creams, butter, desserts and fillings. In addition, the company supplies high-quality ingredients to international food producers and pharmaceutical companies. With over 20,000 employees (FTEs) and branches in 29 countries, our products find their way to more than 100 countries worldwide. Our company has an inclusive culture that reflects our heritage. That means people here are open, friendly, straight-forward and pragmatic. Our team players are always seeking collaborations built on trust and respect, and that spirit fuels the power of ‘We’. Our culture is about embracing the power of differences in order to grow together. It is the diversity of our people, their individual enthusiasm and collective commitment to shaping the future of dairy that makes FrieslandCampina such a special place to work. We believe that when you stay true to your nature, you will get the most out of your natural potential. If that is in your nature too. Bring your spark. Join us. Grow with us.