Technical process
Several different methods for nitrogen and phosphorous removal are currently utilized but none of them are not implemented for harvesting the nutrients. We have developed a new method for recovering nitrogen and phosphorous from different liquid waste fractions, where already functioning processes and reactions have been combined in an innovative way so that a "process of a new age" has be born.
Recovery is based on using calcium hydroxide Ca(OH)2 to transform ammonium nitrogen NH4+ to gas ammonia NH3. Ammonia is separated by stripping through a GPHM (gas permeable hyrdophobic membrane). This enhances the efficiency of the process significantly. Separated NH3 reacts with an sulfuric acid to ammonium sulfate. Phosphorous is precipitated with calciumsalts. The process does not require a warm environment so it is suitable for Finnish environment.
Pilot updates
During spring 2020 the pilot was updated to scaled up specs. Pilot throughput is 10-fold compared to previous pretreatment unit and pilot has proper chemical tanks and automation to enable long process runs. Below is a 3D-model for the update.
This project is a part of a larger entity.
ClimateKIC
A series of projects (9 – 12/2016) about the business potential of reject waters was conducted as EIT's Climate KIC-project.
KEHÄ
The aim of "The new possibilities of cycling of energy and nutrients in water supply (KEHÄ)" -project is to enhance bound energy and/or nutrient cycle and reuse in municipal and agricultural water supply and broader water supply business in economically and ecologically. The project will receive funding from the regional development fund of Europe's Sustainable growth and work 2014-2020 Finnish stucturefund -program.
The collaborators for this project are Aalto University, HAMK (coordinator), Laurea, Länsi-Uudenmaan vesi- ja ympäristö LUVY ry. and Finnish environment insitute SYKLI. The budget for the project is 520.000 euroa and it lasts for 24 kk.
Project Nitrogen and phosphorous recovery from liquid waste -project, coordinated by Aalto, receives funding from RAKI2 -program (2016-2019) byt the Ministry of environment.
COUNCIL OF STATE'S REPORT AND RESEARCH
The recovery and reuse of phosphorous in wastewater: Economical and legislative control metods in different nations and applying those in Finland. This project will be conducted in collaboration with Tyrsky-Konsultointi Oy.
The number of bio gas plants has increased due to increased interest in utilizing organic matter in energy production. Along with treatment plant sludge, other organic biodegredable waste can be processed. Major biogas production in Finland is still very modest, yet it has increased significantly since 1950s. In addition to the undeniable advantages of biogas, there is a great amount of reject water forming in the biogas reactors. This reject water is water that is separated in drying after digestion or biogasproduction and it cannot be released to the environment due to the high nitrogen (N) and phosphorous (P) content.
The business potential and marketing channels for the produced fertilizer product are researched. In addition different business model proposals are built for several wastewater treatment plants and biogas plants of different sizes.