Energy-efficient, non-polluting and sustainable thermal treatment of sewage sludge and phosphorus recovery

Editor:	Dipl.-Ing. Michael Friebel
Duration:	12/2015 to 02/2018
Funding institution:	European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and Free State of Saxony

Project goals

• Characterisation of the sewage sludge with regard to its composition and its behaviour during thermal treatment
• Development of an energy self-sufficient process for the separation of heavy metals and nutrients (especially phosphorus) as well as a complete destruction of endocrine organic substances
• Design, simulation, technical implementation and evaluation of the economic and social acceptability of such a process

Possibilities for such a process

• Creation of a phosphate cycle for ecological and economic phosphorus use
• Reduced heavy metal pollution for the environment through targeted recycling of these elements
• Reduced landfilling of sewage treatment plant residues