In the summer of 2017, 16 paid student interns participated in UNL’s Partners in Pollution Prevention Program and worked with manufacturers and small municipal wastewater treatment plants. Students worked with client to research methods of reducing waste production and resource use, improving energy efficiency, increasing safety, and preventing pollution. Funding of these projects comes from a variety of sources. Depending upon the project scope, funds have been provided by sources such as the Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, U.S. Department of Energy, Nebraska Energy Office, and the businesses provided the assistance.
Each student prepared a report of proposed improvements, detailing the economic and environmental benefits of implementing their suggestions.
The following project overviews describe the interns' projects and recommendations.
Projects partially funded by a grant from the Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality’s Waste Reduction Fee Fund:
Each student prepared a report of proposed improvements, detailing the economic and environmental benefits of implementing their suggestions.
The following project overviews describe the interns' projects and recommendations.
Projects partially funded by a grant from the Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality’s Waste Reduction Fee Fund:
- Rebecca DeFusco – Nova Tech
Analyzed wastewater discharges and recommended pollution prevention strategies to reduce discharge concentrations. - Jacob Lenz – Tyson Fresh Meats
Analyzed water and energy usage, and product loss. Made recommendations to reduce costs, energy use, and waste production. - Daniel Johnson - Purina Animal Nutrition
Analyzed water usage making recommendations to reduce process water use and improve on-site water treatment. - Jason Wurst - Hornady Manufacturing
Examined the waste stream from the cupping process to reduce the mass of scrap metal being produced. - Grant Zebold - Firstar Fiber
Projected the benefits of expanding the recycling programs of communities near Omaha to determine the possible volume of solid waste diverted from landfills, reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, and increase of revenue.
- Jon Fletcher - Baldwin Filters
Analyzed energy use reduction and made recommendations to improve compressed air system and to convert facility transportation from fork lifts to a tugger system. - Will Dudley – Smithfield
Analyzed solid waste production, water and energy use and recommended pollution prevention strategies.
- Chris Bianchini - Nebraska Industrial Assessment Center
Performed energy efficiency assessments for 4 companies and prepared energy efficiency recommendations, including lighting, compressed air optimization, and solid waste handling. - Hossein Derakshandeh - Nebraska Industrial Assessment Center
Performed energy efficiency assessments for 4 companies and prepared energy efficiency recommendations, including lighting and ventilation. - Ashlynn Kampschneider- Nebraska Industrial Assessment Center
Performed energy efficiency assessments for 4 companies and prepared energy efficiency recommendations, including lighting and process optimization. - Zach Luedtke - Nebraska Industrial Assessment Center
Performed energy efficiency assessments for 3 companies and prepared energy efficiency recommendations, including solid waste reduction, heat recovery, and insulation. - Brandon Schurman - Nebraska Industrial Assessment Center
Performed energy efficiency assessments for 4 companies and prepared energy efficiency recommendations. - Brad Shaner - Nebraska Industrial Assessment Center
Performed energy efficiency assessments for 4 companies and prepared energy efficiency recommendations, including air compressor optimization, insulation, and process optimization.
- Elizabeth Reiger - Nebraska Energy Office
Conducted energy use audits at 5 small community wastewater treatment facilities in Nebraska - Brittlin Hoge - Nebraska Energy Office
Conducted energy use audits at 5 small community wastewater treatment facilities in Nebraska - Ryan Yates - Nebraska Energy Office
Conducted energy use audits at 5 small community wastewater treatment facilities in Nebraska.