Recovering nutrients and producing energy from wastewater treatment sludge

The Technology Center Ceit participates in the project ThermoGas, an initiative that seeks to research, optimize and validate in real environments the technology of anaerobic digestion of sludge under thermophilic conditions (DAT).

This innovative technology has the potential to recover nutrients, produce energy and perform efficient and safe sanitization of sludge derived from both urban and industrial wastewater treatment.

ThermoGas, financed by the State Agency of research, arises from the public-private partnership between the Technological Center Ceit, NILSA, GyD Water Technology, the University of Zaragoza and the University of Barcelona.

Anaerobic digestion under thermophilic conditions (ADT) is a technology that makes it possible to efficiently and safely produce energy and sanitize sludge from urban and industrial wastewater treatment. However, its implementation is very limited due to the technological difficulties in ensuring its efficient and stable start-up and operation.

The project ThermoGas (Sludge treatment by thermophilic anaerobic digestion: study and optimization of the technology from microbiology, engineering and simulation) seeks to solve the existing shortcomings in the technology of anaerobic digestion of sludge under thermophilic conditions. It also aims to develop an integrated, efficient and safe solution goal that facilitates its widespread implementation for sludge mixtures of different composition and dryness, facilitates nutrient recovery and biogas production, and guarantees a stabilization and sanitization Degree suitable for subsequent agricultural valorization.

ThermoGas, financed by the State Agency of research, arises from the public-private partnership between the Technological Center Ceit, NILSA, GyD Water Technology, the University of Zaragoza and the University of Barcelona.

A prototype of financial aid to decision making.

Among the objectives of project, is to build a prototype of tool from financial aid to the decision for the optimal operation of the digesters. In this context, Ceit will be in charge of carrying out the installation and commissioning of a DAT pilot plant under high solids concentration conditions, and its adaptation to thermophilic operating conditions.

In addition, Ceit will build and calibrate a new dynamic mathematical sludge DAT model capable of describing in detail the biochemical mechanisms of digestion under different environmental conditions. The new mathematical DAT model will also serve as the basis for the design of a prototype financial aid Operation System (OSS) designed to guide the operation of anaerobic digesters at WWTPs.

Nutrient recovery and energy generation

Thus, ThermoGas' innovative technology will have the potential to recover nutrients, produce energy and carry out efficient and safe sanitization of sludge derived from both urban and industrial wastewater treatment.