November 2024 - Regionales Phosphor-Recycling

Release of the R-Rhenania short film

Another project film has been completed, providing insights into the work and goals of the R-Rhenania joint project. You can watch it at the following link: https://youtu.be/RjLbXDCQUO4

In the R-Rhenania project, two variations of the thermochemical process with the addition of (earth) alkalis are being investigated. Sewage sludge ashes are thermochemically treated in a downstream rotary kiln. This process is known under the proper name AshDec®. In the second phase of the project, this process is being trialled for various scenarios. In the other variant, this thermochemical process takes place directly in the incineration of sewage sludge and is being implemented as a demonstration plant at the Altenstadt site. The Emter company is converting its existing grate firing mono-incineration system so that the thermochemical process can be integrated in order to produce an effective and low-pollutant phosphate fertiliser. The project partner, fertiliser manufacturer sePura, plans to use all of the fertiliser produced regionally in Bavaria.

The short films are planned, produced and edited in close cooperation with the joint projects. They are intended to provide a lively insight into the pilot plants and the work of the joint projects and will be published gradually over the coming weeks on the RePhoR homepage and the YouTube channel.

8th RePhoR steering committee meeting in Markranstädt

The 8th RePhoR steering committee meeting was organised at the beginning of November, which was held at Veolia Klärschlammverwertung Deutschland GmbH’s site in Markranstädt near Leipzig with the kind permission of the company. Some of the steering committee members had already met on 5 November for a tour of the Pontes Pabuli pilot plant. Project coordinator Claudyn Kidszun and project engineer Oskar Stiehler from VKD warmly welcomed the group and gave them a tour of the site. The actual meeting was held on 6 November. As always, the meeting included a report on progress and interim results from the joint projects as well as overarching topics such as current developments in the phosphorus recovery landscape in Germany. As some of the projects will conclude in 2025, the synthesis and utilisation of results is also of particular importance.

The Steering Committee is used for cross-project networking between the research projects and for discussing overarching issues. Among other things, cross-cutting themes will be defined, on which all interested collaborative projects will work together during the course of the funding programme, e.g. in workshops. In addition, joint activities are planned for the exploitation and practical implementation of project results and for public relations. The group consists of the coordinators of the collaborative projects, the networking project and experts, e.g. from industry, associations, authorities and ministries. Representatives of the BMBF and the project organiser also take part in the steering committee meetings, which take place up to every six months.