IFAT 2018

•••26••• Innovationen M any biogenic residues, in particular sewage sludge, contain relevant valuable sub- stances that are not being utilized optimally so far. An environmen- tally friendly and sustainable ap- proach is the recycling of these raw materials through targeted regional recovery of resources. In Hall B2, booth 215/314, Fraun- hofer UMSICHT presents solu- tions for the treatment and utili- zation of sewage sludge for the purpose of phosphorus recovery by means of ultrasound, as well as other regional utilization con- cepts for biomass, from fuel sup- ply to material utilization. Sewage sludge is a heterogene- ous multi-component mixture consisting mainly of water, or- ganic substances, nitrogen and phosphorus compounds and oth- er residues such as heavy metal compounds or drug residues. In Germany alone, the volume at in- dustrial and municipal wastewa- ter treatment plants in 2015 was just over 1.8 million tons. Ultrasonic technology New legal regulations (amend- ment of the Sewage Sludge Or- dinance), make a rethink of the previous sewage sludge utilization necessary. Fraunhofer UMSICHT is working with project partners to further develop and implement an innovative process for the treat- ment and subsequent fractiona- tion of sewage sludge compo- nents, in particular for phosphorus recovery. At the heart of the new process chain is an ultrasonic cavi- tation plant. A special ultrasonic transmitter introduces a very high power input into the medium to be treated. This results in the forma- tion of acoustic cavitation bubbles within the medium through which the ultrasound flows. When these bubbles implode, different physical and chemical effects are produced. The large vibration amplitude that can be achieved with the new ultrasound technique is a crucial influencing parameter here. “Cell digestion and an improved separation characteristic occur, which makes it easier to separate sewage sludge mechanically into different recycling fractions”, ex- plains Lukas Rüller from the Pro- cess Engineering department at Fraunhofer UMSICHT. The result is a cellulose-rich fiber fraction, a nutrient-rich gel fraction and an easily fermentable liquid phase, which can each be used for fur- ther utilization concepts (ammo- nium and phosphorus recovery, fermentation, etc.). Within the framework of the “UltraSep” project, Fraunhofer UMSICHT wants to investigate the technology’s physical and chemi- cal modes of action. Together with industry partners, a test fa- cility is being designed that will then be constructed as a movable portacabin version. After initial trials, the pilot plant is to be inte- grated into a wastewater treat- ment plant and optimized during practical operation. Another thematic focus is the en- ergetic utilization of greenery. In the course of the project “SET- Laub” (Systematic identification of the emission data during the thermal conversion of diverse greenery waste fractions) the pro- cessing and combustion of diverse greenery fractions is analyzed as well as the related emissions. In addition, recommendations for the energetic utilization of green- ery are developed. This allows the material flow management of bio- genic residues to be optimized. Phosphorus recovery from sewage sludge Scientists present solutions for the treatment and utilization by means of ultrasound Ultrasound system: two ultrasonic transmitters in a double reactor for continuous flow Photo: BSonic GmbH RS Technik AG • Seestrasse 25 • CH-8702 Zollikon • Tel +41 44 9 86 10 52 • info@rstechnik.com • www.rstechnik.com Ihr kompetener Partner für grabenlose Kanal- und Rohrsanierungssysteme. www.rstechnik.com Schnell, grabenlos, umweltfreundlich! Halle C3 • Stand 244