Biorefine: Recovery of nutrients and metallic trace elements from different wastes by chemical and biochemical processes

At present, most waste processing operations are not oriented towards the valorization of valuable reusable components such as nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and even Metallic Trace Elements (MTEs). Currently, sewage sludge, for example is usually used as a fertilizer in agriculture, in energy production or in the field of construction. Ashes originating from sludge incineration contain heavy metals and minerals in large quantities. Manure is mainly used in agriculture, although considerable amounts of nutrients are lost and cause pollution. Digestate is also used in agriculture, but other alternatives have been proposed, such as the energetic valorization. Better valorization of these wastes in agriculture (or other sectors) is however largely constrained by a multitude of legal requirements. An important problematic point is the concentration in MTEs that is found in those wastes. Consequently, recovery of nutrients and MTEsmay be a key solution for optimal valorization of wastes. Many unit operations used in the field of chemical and biochemical engineering (mechanical operations on fluids, solids, mass and heat transfers, chemical reactions, etc.) could be used in order to achieve an efficient recovery yield of nutrients and trace elements. The aim of the BioRefine Project is to make an inventory of all recovery techniques of nutrients and MTEs in five countries: Belgium, France, Germany, United Kingdom and The Netherlands. Pilot plants will also be tested to assess the efficiency of new treatment techniques after which the most efficient processes will be chosen to be applied on a larger scale. In addition, the collected data will be used to propose exploitation scenarios taking into account legal constraints and optimized logistics.This work is supported through an INTERREG IVB NWE programme(ref. 320J-BIOREFINE).