David Gurtner, BSc MSc

Doctoral Student +43 512 2070 - 3234 david.gurtner@mci.edu
David Gurtner, BSc MSc


Professional work experience
  • 01/2022 - present
    PhD student - University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences | Management Center Innsbruck
  • 01/2020 - 12/2021
    PV technician - SYNECO tec GmbH
  • 01/2018 - 12/2021
    Project Assistant - Environmental, Process and Energy Engineering - Management Center Innsbruck
  • 01/2013 - 12/2014
    Thesis - KTM
  • 01/2012 - 12/2018
    Apprentice - SYNCRAFT Engineering GmbH, MIELE GmbH, Hörl GmbH, Step Four GmbH
Education
  • 01/2022 - present
    Dr. techn. - University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences | Management Center Innsbruck
  • 01/2019 - 12/2021
    M.Sc. - Environmental, Process and Energy Engineering - Management Center Innsbruck
  • 01/2017 - 12/2017
    Chemical Engineering - Sungkyunkwan University, Seoul, South Korea
  • 01/2015 - 12/2018
    B.Sc. - Environmental, Process and Energy Engineering - Management Center Innsbruck
  • 01/2009 - 12/2014
    Ing. - Maschinenbau - Höhere Technische Bundeslehr- und Versuchsanstalt
Teaching (faculty internships etc.)
  • 01/2022 - present
    Management Center Innsbruck
    Chemical laboratory incl. instrumental analytics
Competitive Research Award
  • 06/2025 - 06/2025
    European Biomass Conference and Exhibition
    Student Award
  • 06/2025 - 06/2025
    BOKU
    Finalist BOKU Research to Market Award
  • 01/2020 - 12/2020
    Federal Ministry of Education, Science and Research
    Merit-based scholarship
  • 09/2017 - 09/2017
    Raiffeisen-Landesbank Tirol AG
    Raiffeisen International Award 2017
Peer reviewed journal article
  • D. Gurtner, M. Kresta, M. Maurer, J. Haselwanter, A. Hofmann, C. Pfeifer, Self-sustained physical activation at pilot-scale integrated in a commercial wood gasification plant: A path to renewable activated carbon, PAH removal and electrical efficiency improvement, Fuel Processing Technology, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fuproc.2025.108235.
  • D. Bosch, J.O. Back, M. Spruck, L. Nohel, D. Gurtner, C. Margreiter, A. Hofmann and A. Bockreis, "Addressing Europe's New Hunger for Sustainable Activated Carbon in Wastewater Treatment: Micropollutant Removal with Residual Wood-Based Adsorbents Using Different Activation Strategies," Chemical Engineering Research and Design, vol. 217, pp. 108-120, 2025, doi: 10.1016/j.cherd.2025.03.021.
  • D. Gurtner, J. O. Back, D. Bosch, A. Hofmann, C. Pfeifer. Renewable activated carbon from wood-based gasification char: A comprehensive study on physical activation, Carbon Resources Conversion, 2025. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.crcon.2025.100310
  • M. Kresta, D. Gurtner, L. Nohel, A. Hofmann, C. Pfeifer, Experimental study and characterisation of a novel two stage bubbling fluidised bed gasification process utilising municipal waste wood, Fuel Processing Technology, Volume 266, 2024, 108156, ISSN 0378-3820, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fuproc.2024.108156.
  • D. Gurtner, M. Kresta, B. Hupfauf, P. Götz, R. Nussbaumer, A. Hofmann, C. Pfeifer. Mechanical strength characterisation of pyrolysis biochar from woody biomass, Energy, 2023. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.energy.2023.129366
  • D. Bosch, J. Back, D. Gurtner, S. Giberti, A. Hofmann, A. Bockreis. Alternative Feedstock for the Production of Activated Carbon with ZnCl2: Forestry Residue Biomass and Waste Wood, Carbon Resources Conversion, 2022. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.crcon.2022.09.001
  • D. Bosch, J. O. Back, D. Gurtner, S. Giberti, A. Hofmann, and A. Bockreis, "Alternative feedstock for the production of activated carbon with ZnCl2: Forestry residue biomass and waste wood," Carbon Resources Conversion, vol. 5, no. 4, pp. 299-309, 2022, doi: 10.1016/j.crcon.2022.09.001
Peer reviewed academic/professional meeting proceedings
  • D. Gurtner, A. Hofmann, C. Pfeifer, Activated Carbon from Gasified Waste Wood: Potential and Challenges, 19. Mini Symposium Verfahrenstechnik & 10. Partikelforum, ISBN 978-3-200-10576-8 .
  • Kresta, M., Gurtner D., Hofmann A., Pfeifer C., Characterisation and gasification of waste wood fractions in a staged process, Minisymposium Verfahrenstechnik, BOKU Vienna, AUT, 2023.
  • D. Gurtner, M. Kresta, A. Hofmann, C.Pfeifer: Lab-scale production of activated carbon from gasification residues via thermochemical CO2 activation. Proceedings of the 17th Minisymposium Verfahrenstechnik, Vienna, Austria, pp. 28-32, ISBN: 978-3-900397-08-1
  • D. Bosch, J. O. Back, D. Gurtner, S. Giberti, A. Hofmann, G. Langergraber. Activation by Means of Chemical Impregnation with ZnCl2 - A study on Surface Characteristics. Oral Presentation and Conference Proceedings at 13th International Conference on Sustainable Energy & Environmental Protection (SEEP), 2021, BOKU, Vienna (Online), Austria.
Presentation of a paper at a conference, workshop or seminar
  • D. Gurtner, M. Kresta, M. Maurer, J. Haselwanter, A. Hofmann, C. Pfeifer, Integration of Physical Activation into Industrial Wood Gasification Plant: Activated Carbon Production, PAH Removal and Electrical Efficiency Improvement, EUBCE - European Biomass Conference & Exhibition 2025, 9th - 12th of June, 2025 Valencia, Spain
  • D. Gurtner, M. Maurer, M. Kresta, A. Hofmann, C.Pfeifer: Production of activated carbon: physical activation of gasification carbon in pilot scale. 18th "Minisymposium Verfahrenstechnik" & 9th Partikelforum, 1st - 2nd of July, 2024, Graz, Austria
  • D. Gurtner, A. Hofmann: Aktivkohle aus Biomasse-Vergaserkoks: Aktivierungsstrategien und Anwendungsmöglichkeiten. 12. Internationale B.KWK-Anwenderkonferenz Biomassevergasung in Innsbruck, 29th of November, 2023, Innsbruck, Austria
  • M. Kresta, D. Gurtner, A. Hofmann, C.Pfeifer: Gasification of waste wood fractions in a staged process - characterization of resulting bio-char. Bio-Char III: Production, Characterization and Applications (ECI Conference), 17th - 22th of September, 2023, Tomar, Portugal
  • D. Gurtner, M. Kresta, A. Hofmann, C.Pfeifer: Biochar post-processing - thermochemical activation of gasification carbon. Bio-Char III: Production, Characterization and Applications (ECI Conference), 17th - 22th of September, 2023, Tomar, Portugal
  • D. Gurtner, M. Kresta, A. Hofmann, C.Pfeifer: Production of Activated Biochar - Thermochemical Activation of Gasification Residues. BioChar Summit, 2023, Helsingborg, Sweden
  • D. Gurtner, M. Kresta, A. Hofmann, C.Pfeifer: Production of Sustainable Activated Carbon - Thermochemical Activation of Gasification Carbon in a Lab-scale Fluidized Bed Reactor. Poster at 7th Central European Biomass Conference (CEBC) 2023, Congress Graz, Austria, ISBN 978-3-9504380-6-2
  • Kresta, M., Gurtner D., Hofmann A., Pfeifer C., Gasification of waste wood fractions in a floating fixed bed gasifier. Presentation at the 7th Central European Biomass Conference CEBC 2023, Graz, AT
  • M. Kresta, A. Hofmann, D. Gurtner, C.Pfeifer: Gasification of waste wood fractions in a fixed bed gasifier. 7th Central European Biomass Conference (CEBC) 2023, Congress Graz, Austria, ISBN 978-3-9504380-6-2
  • D. Gurtner: Herstellung von Pulveraktivkohle aus Vergaserkohle mittels thermochemischer Aktivierung. 22. Fachkongress für Holzenergie, 2022, Congress Würzburg, Germany
  • D. Bosch, D. Gurtner: Production of Black Gold out of Waste Wood - Gasification, Activation, Wastewater Treatment. XVI. BIOTECHNET SUMMER SCHOOL ON ADVANCED BIOTECHNOLOGY, 2022, Management Center Innsbruck (MCI), Austria
  • D. Gurtner, D. Bosch: Production of Black Gold out of Waste Wood - Gasification, Activation, Wastewater Treatment. XVI. BIOTECHNET SUMMER SCHOOL ON ADVANCED BIOTECHNOLOGY, 2022, Management Center Innsbruck (MCI), Austria
  • R. Nussbaumer, U. Schober, D. Gurtner, B. Hupfauf, A. Hofmann, C. Pfeifer: Characterization of pyrolysis charcoal from municipal waste wood chips. Proceedings of the 13th International Conference on Sustainable Energy & Environmental Protection (SEEP), 2021, BOKU, Vienna (Online), Austria
  • D. Bosch, J. Back, D. Gurtner, S. Giberti, A. Hofmann, G. Langergraber: Activation by means of chemical impregnation with ZnCl2 - a study on surface characteristics. Proceedings of the 13th International Conference on Sustainable Energy & Environmental Protection (SEEP), 2021, BOKU, Vienna (Online), Austria
  • D. Bosch, J. O. Back, D. Gurtner, S. Giberti, A. Hofmann, G. Langergraber. Activation by Means of Chemical Impregnation with ZnCl2 - A study on Surface Characteristics. Oral Presentation and Conference Proceedings at 13th International Conference on Sustainable Energy & Environmental Protection (SEEP), 2021, BOKU, Vienna (Online), Austria.
Other intellectual contributions
  • D. Gurtner, News Release: Renewable high-quality activated carbon from low-quality by-product, https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/1078046, EurekAlert, 2025
Supervised bachelor theses
  • Abele Alexander (2024): Verwendung von Altholz/Restholz aus dem kommunalen Umfeld für die Erzeugung von Pulveraktivkohle in einem Pilot-Reaktor
  • Götz Patrick (2023): Produktion von Pulveraktivkohle aus Vergasungsrückständen im Batch-Drehrohrofen
  • Schäfer Jonas (2023): Einfluss verschiedener Vergasungsrückstände als Ausgangsmaterial für die thermochemische Aktivierung
  • Maurer Matthias Robert (2022): Thermochemische Aktivierung von Vergaserkohle mittels Wasserdampf
We're happy to assist you!
Are you interested in studying at MCI? Our team will answer all your questions regarding studies, application, and career options.
We look forward to hearing from you
+43 512 2070-0 Contact directly Contact via WhatsApp
Chat with our students

Our students share their experiences and give insights into courses, projects, and student life in the vibrant Alpine city of Innsbruck.

Start chatting
Check out our Study Finder

Discover the program that suits you.