2020 Virtual Intern Symposium

August 19, 2020 1:00PM – 4:30PM

This year’s MnTAP Intern Symposium will be held virtually. Help us celebrate the accomplishments of the MnTAP interns and student researchers as they wrap up their 2020 projects.

MnTAP staff are grateful that in collaboration with our sponsors, host companies, and students we have been able to adapt the 2020 MnTAP Intern Program to safely carry out high impact projects for pollution prevention, energy and water efficiency. One adaptation is that we need to make our Intern Symposium a virtual event for 2020. For those who have attended in the past, you know this is an information packed celebration of the great work the interns and student researchers have done to identify savings in water, energy, and waste. Hosting this event in a virtual format will offer more of you the chance to celebrate with us this year. Join us virtually on August 19th.

2020 Intern Projects

Abbott, Little Canada, MN – Lead a project focused on water conservation and waste reduction at a medical device manufacturer.
Albert Lea Wastewater Treatment Plant Albert Lea, MN – Lead a project to optimize nutrient removal in wastewater.
August Schell, New Ulm, MN – Lead a project focused on process efficiency and wastewater loading reduction at a Minnesota brewing facility.
Bosch Automotive Service Solutions, Owatonna, MN – Lead a project to reduce metal scrap waste and improve energy efficiency.
LCCMR Project 1 – Minnesota Technical Assistance Program, MN – Lead a project to optimize nutrient removal in wastewater treatment ponds.
LCCMR Project 2- Minnesota Technical Assistance Program, MN – Lead a project to optimize nutrient removal in wastewater treatment ponds.
Lifecore Biomedical, Chaska, MN – Lead a water conservation project at a medical device manufacturer.
Minnesota Department of Administration – Facilities Management Division, Saint Paul, MN – Lead a water conservation and energy efficiency project at the State Capitol Complex.
Minnesota Specialty Yeast, Hutchinson, MN – Lead a project to improve water efficiency and reduce nutrient wastewater loading.
Minnesota Technical Assistance Program, Minneapolis, MN – Lead a project focused on analyzing industrial water conservation data to make recommendations for high value projects with replication potential across industries.
Old Dutch Foods, Roseville, MN – Lead a project focused on water conservation at a local food processor.
Otsego Wastewater Treatment Plant, Otsego, MN – Lead a project to optimize nutrient removal in wastewater.
Pearson’s Candy Company, Saint Paul, MN – Lead a project in energy efficiency and lean process optimization at a candy making facility.
Post Consumer Brands, Northfield, MN – Lead a project focused on energy and steam efficiency at a cereal making facility.
Rust-Oleum, Brooklyn Park, MN – Lead a project focused on industrial cleaning alternatives at a coating manufacturer.
Sappi, Cloquet, MN – Lead a project focused on improving energy efficiency and reducing waste at a pulp and paper mill.
St. Croix Forge, Forest Lake, MN – Lead a project focused on process efficiency and scrap rate reduction at a Minnesota horseshoe forging facility.
University of Minnesota Physicians, Minneapolis, MN – Lead a project focused on targeted energy reduction strategies to reduce electrical, steam, and chilled water use and optimize control of energy consuming equipment automation systems.

2019 Intern Symposium & 35th Anniversary

On August 21, 2019 at the University of Minnesota, 16 MnTAP interns presented their findings from their summer projects. The event took place from 12:00 – 4:30 p.m. at the McNamara Alumni Center on the University of Minnesota East Bank campus. Groups of four interns each presented 10 minute summaries of their projects followed by a panel question and answer period. The event included a poster session and refreshment break that provided ample opportunities to network and interact with the interns. The symposium also included a celebration for MnTAP’s 35th Anniversary!

Solutions Event Program Project Summaries, Reports, & Posters

2019 Intern Projects:

Aveda Corporation, Blaine, MN – Lead a project focused on process water conservation and efficiency in the manufacture of personal care products.
Ball Corporation, St. Paul – Lead a project focused on water conservation at an aluminum can manufacturer.
Boston Scientific, Maple Grove, MN – Lead a project focused on water conservation at a medical device manufacturer.
City of Plymouth, Plymouth, MN – Lead a project focused on water conservation and bench marking at a local municipality.
Health Systems Cooperative Laundries, St. Paul, MN – Lead a project focused on water conservation and energy efficiency at an industrial laundry facility.
Hutchinson Wastewater Treatment Facility, Hutchinson, MN – Lead a project to optimize nutrient removal in wastewater.
Kerry Ingredients & Actives, Rochester, MN – Lead a project focused on industrial wastewater treatment optimization, product loss minimization, and water conservation.
Minnesota Technical Assistance Program, Minneapolis, MN – Lead a project to optimize nutrient removal in wastewater treatment ponds.
Minnesota Zoo, Apple Valley, MN – Lead a project focused on water conservation and wastewater reduction at a zoo.
North Memorial Health Hospital, Robbinsdale, MN – Lead a project focused on energy conservation at a community hospital.
Phillips Community, Minneapolis, MN – Lead a project focused on improving air quality in restaurants and child care facilities.
Project at a Food Processing Facility, Fridley, MN – Lead a project focused on water conservation at a local food processing plant.
Seneca Foods, Glencoe, MN – Lead a project focused on process water conservation and product recovery at a food processing facility.
Verta Inc, Delano, MN – Lead a project focused on improving paint transfer efficiency.
Wenger Corporation, Owatonna, MN – Lead a project focused on scrap reduction and energy efficiency.
White Bear Lake Area Communities, Minneapolis, MN – Lead a project focused on improving air quality at small businesses.

If you have any questions or need more information contact Nathan Landwehr, MnTAP’s Intern Program Administrator, at 612-624-4697 or landwehr@umn.edu.

2018 Intern Symposium

On August 16, 2018 at the University of Minnesota, 15 MnTAP interns presented their findings from their summer projects. The event took place from 1:00 – 5:00 p.m. at the McNamara Alumni Center on the University of Minnesota East Bank campus. Groups of four interns each presented 10 minute summaries of their projects followed by a panel question and answer period. The event included a poster session and refreshment break that provided ample opportunities to network and interact with the interns.

Solutions 2018 Event Program Project Summaries, Reports, & Posters

2018 Intern Projects:

AWT Labels & Packaging – Lead a project focused on process waste and solvent use at a facility that produces high quality labels and flexible packaging, Minneapolis, MN
Aveda Corporation – Process water conservation and efficiency in the manufacture of personal care products, Blaine, MN
Carley Foundry – Lead a project focused on energy efficiency at an aluminum foundry, Blaine, MN
Center for Energy and Environment – Energy efficiency at small industrial facilities,Minneapolis, MN
City of Woodbury – Lead a project focused on water conservation through residential turf irrigation, Woodbury, MN
KapStone Container Corporation – Lead a project focused on process paper waste improvements and water reduction at a manufacturer of corrugated (cardboard) boxes, Fridley MN
Lamb Weston RDO Frozen Foods – Lead a project focused on water, energy and chemical use optimization at a potato product facility, Park Rapids, MN
Minnesota Correctional Facility – Lead a project focused on developing recycling and organics recycling programs at Minnesota Correctional Facilities, Lino Lakes, MN
North Memorial Health Hospital – Lead a project focused on water conservation for a healthcare system’s two hospitals, Maple Grove Hospital
Phillips Community – Lead a project focused on improving air quality in multi-family housing, Minneapolis, MN
Phillips Distilling – Lead a project focused on wastewater and water reduction in a distillery, Princeton, MN
Science Museum of Minnesota – Lead a project focused facility-wide water conservation and reuse at the Science Museum of Minnesota, Saint Paul, MN
SensoryEffects – Lead a project focused on heat recovery and water conservation at a food processor, Sleepy Eye, MN
Thomson Reuters – Lead a project focused on water conservation at a book production facility, Eagan, MN

If you have any questions or need more information contact Nathan Landwehr, MnTAP’s Intern Program Administrator, at 612-624-4697 or landwehr@umn.edu.

2017 Intern Symposium

On August 22, 2017 at the University of Minnesota, 17 MnTAP interns presented their findings from their summer projects. The event took place from 1:00 – 5:00 p.m. at the McNamara Alumni Center on the University of Minnesota East Bank campus. Each presentation was 15 minutes with five minutes for questions and answers. The event included a poster session and refreshment break that provided ample opportunities to network and interact with the interns.

Solutions 2017 Event Program Project Summaries, Reports, & Posters

2017 Intern Projects:

Advanced Extrusion, Rogers: Reduce energy and waste in plastic extrusion operations.
Aqseptence Group Inc., New Brighton: Reduce water use in sheet metal fabrication processes.
Bailey Nurseries, Cottage Grove: Water conservation in plant production.
Center for Energy & the Environment, Twin Cities: Increase energy efficiency at small industrial facilities.
CertainTeed Roofing, Shakopee: Increase production rates, reduce water use and optimize evaporative cooling process in shingle manufacturing.
City of New Prague Wastewater Treatment Facility, New Prague: Optimize wastewater treatment processes.
Diasorin Inc., Stillwater: Optimize water use in medical diagnostic devices manufacturing.
Electric Machinery, Minneapolis: Water reduction at a large motor manufacturer.
Fulton Brewery, Minneapolis: Reduce waste and wastewater at a craft brewery.
Kerry Ingredients and Flavours, Rochester: Improve energy and chemical use efficiency.
Minneapolis Water Treatment & Distribution Services, Columbia Heights: Optimize chemical treatment process to reduce chemical use aimprove discharge water quality
Phillips Community, Minneapolis: Improving air quality at small businesses by encouraging the adoption of products and processes that eliminate hazardous air pollutants and reduce emissions of volatile organ compounds.
Phillip’s Distilling, Princeton: Energy and water conservation in a distillery.
Plastech Corp, Rush City: Waste and energy reduction in a plastic injection molding operation.
Seneca Foods, Rochester: Reduce product loss and improve water and chemical use efficiency.
SkyWater Technology Foundry, Bloomington: Optimize energy efficiency of air handling systems
Smith Foundry, Minneapolis: Improve air quality through process optimization.

2016 Intern Symposium

On August 23, 2016 at the University of Minnesota, 14 MnTAP interns presented their findings from their summer projects. The event took place from 1:00 – 5:00 p.m. at the McNamara Alumni Center on the University of Minnesota East Bank campus. Each presentation was 15 minutes with five minutes for questions and answers. The event included a poster session and refreshment break that provided ample opportunities to network and interact with the interns.

Solutions 2016 Event Program Project Summaries, Reports, & Posters

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2015 Intern Symposium

On August 20, 2017 at the University of Minnesota, 13 MnTAP interns presented their findings from their summer projects. The event took place from 12:00 – 5:00 p.m. at the McNamara Alumni Center on the University of Minnesota East Bank campus. Each presentation was 15 minutes with five minutes for questions and answers. The event included a poster session and refreshment break that provided ample opportunities to network and interact with the interns. The symposium also included a celebration for MnTAP’s 30th Anniversary!

Solutions 2015 Event Program Project Summaries, Reports, & Posters