Responsible partner: CETAQUA
Type of feedstock: Reject water
Nutrients recovered: Nitrogen as ammonium nitrate
Process technologies: Filtration unit; Ion exchange; Hollow Fibre Membrane Contactors
The aim of this pilot plant is to recover nitrogen from reject water. It consists in three main units: a filtration pre-treatment process to remove the suspended solids presented in reject water; an ion exchange column loaded with 0.5-1 mm zeolites for nitrogen concentration; and two membrane contactors with an unitary surface of 1.4 m2 (3M™ Liqui-Cel™ EXF-2.5×8). These membranes allow the ammonia transport from the feed solution and to the acid one, in this case, nitric acid, producing ammonium nitrate which is free of PTEs and organic micropollutants (OMPs) because the selected membrane is gas permeable and none of these compounds should pass through.
The WalNUT Project has released its Best Practice Book (BPB), a harmonised guide for researchers, industry, farmers, and policymakers on bio-based fertilisers (BBFs) derived from wastewater, algae, and mineral recovery processes.
The factsheets offer a clear and accessible overview of cutting-edge nutrient recovery solutions being implemented at WalNUT’s pilot sites across Europe.
Over the last month, WalNUT partners have come together to visit the two pilot plants currently operating in Spain, as the work for BBFs (Bio-Based Fertilisers) production is gaining momentum!
Take our survey and contribute to raise Nutrient Recovery awareness. Help us overcome lock-ins and barriers in the deployment of Nutrient Recovery technologies in Waste Water treatment facilities and promote the replacement of mineral fertilisers with bio-based ones
