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Between 2005 and 2008 Slibverwerking Noord-Brabant (SNB) participated in the European joint venture SUSAN. A research initiative consisting of several players, including BAM, ASH DEC, BAMAG, YARA, JKI and TU Vienna. SUSAN investigated the options for the recovery of phosphate suitable for artificial fertiliser from sludge ash. The research has only recently been completed, and work is now underway on translating this process into a large-scale installation. Click here for a video about the SUSAN project.
This technology is used to convert the ash that is left after sludge is incinerated into a raw material for artificial fertiliser and involves treating the ash with additives in a thermal process. This converts the phosphate into a form that is accessible for plants. The process also removes all heavy metals from the ash. This means that the treated ash eventually contains less heavy metals than artificial fertiliser made directly from phosphate ore. The components of cadmium and uranium are clearly present to a lesser degree in the treated ash.
ASH DEC in Austria operates an installation for the recovery of phosphate from sludge ash. Slibverwerking Noord-Brabant (SNB) works closely with ASH DEC. This Austrian supplier of artificial fertiliser installations has signed a declaration of intent with SNB. ASH DEC intends to open a second, larger installation in Munich in 2010, with a capacity of 2 tons of ash per hour. The options are being studied by SNB for the construction of an installation at the industrial estate in Moerdijk with a double capacity that will enable ash to be converted directly into artificial fertiliser.
Successful field tests have already been held in Austria and Germany with artificial fertiliser containing recovered phosphate. At the end of 2008 the first batch of innovative artificial fertiliser was launched on the market. The artificial fertiliser produced from incinerated sludge ash is now officially recognised as artificial fertiliser in Austria and Germany. Slibverwerking Noord-Brabant (SNB) is now working together with ASH DEC and the Louis Bolk Instituut on the recognition of the artificial fertiliser in the Netherlands.