SATELLITE - Process Technologies in Main and Satellite Operations of an Intermunicipal Recycling Center for an Optimized Regional Nutrient Recycling
In the first phase of the SATELLITE project (01.07.20 - 30.06.23), operating data of the wastewater treatment plants of the project network were collected as input data for the development of a model-based planning and management tool-prototype. Furthermore, process parameters of relevant, specific processes regarding operation, energy demand, CO2e emissions, etc. were collected and verified with the operation of large-scale and pilot-scale plants. Additionally, various process characteristics were developed and optimized by modeling and/or experimental testing on a laborator-scale. A wide range of processes linked to wastewater treatment (receiving strategy for industrial wastewater, deammonification and vapor condensate treatment, conversion from a fully aerobic stabilization to a partial aerobic stabilization), sludge treatment (addition of co-substrates, high-load digestion, sludge dewatering and drying, separation of primary sludge and its acidification) and nutrient recovery (stripping, continuous fractionated evaporation, production and storage of liquid fertilizer from recyclates, biological P-elimination, and P-removal). For all investigated processes, process descriptions and models were developed. Semistatic balance models of the wastewater treatment plants related to the SATELLITE project were developed and linked in a superordinate sludge management model. This basic model was further developed into a GIS-based tool prototype (OptiNETZ), which can be used to determine sludge quantities and qualities, operating and transport costs, as well as CO2e emissions. This tool prototype can be used by associations to assess future investment decisions. For a local energy management, parallel to the management model, an energy model for the wastewater treatment plants was developed. It also includes regional heat and energy sources (industrial, municipal). For the development of a tool prototype for a regional nutrient management, the relevant and available data on nutrient supply and demand were compiled and prepared to be able to calculate a nutrient balance and predict nutrient use. In addition, a multi-purpose transport container for sewage sludge and a logistics and transport concept were developed.
In phase 2 (01.07.23 - 30.06.25), the results generated in the first phase will be used to develop an overall concept for a recycling network in a municipal association as a model. The main goal is to ensure the transferability of the concrete process testing of individual innovative technologies, in particular the model prototypes necessary for decision support and management, to other regions and networks. In phase 2, the work will focus on four main areas:
Optimized operation of wastewater treatment plants for the management of selected process chains
Optimized management of the KNRN network - testing and application of the management tool
Development of individual processes - to extend and supplement the library of process models with relevant or even new processes and further differentiated characteristics for evaluation
Nutrient recycling and resource efficiency - elaboration of methodical basics for the development of a basic model for the management of regional nutrient flows and its test application in the model region
The SATELLITE project is funded by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) within the funding program "Research for Sustainable Development (FONA3)" with the thematic focus on "Regional Phosphorus Recycling" (RePhoR). The total volume of the project amounts to around €3.6 million.
Further information about the project and the funding initiative “RePhoR”:
- SATELLITE project website SATELLITE
- Homepage RePhoR
- Proceedings of the RePhoR status conference 2023 (p.22-23)
- Poster of the RePhoR Status Conference 2023
