SATELLITE - Process Technologies in Main and Satellite Operations of an Intermunicipal Recycling Center for an Optimized Regional Nutrient Recycling

Due to the new regulations regarding sewage sludge and the handling of fertilizers passed in Germany in 2017, especially the municipalities of the northern states need to fundamentally transform their current strategy for sewage sludge utilization. Investment decisions in the millions have to be made. The research project SATELLITE sets it’s focus on the processes that take place on the individual wastewater treatment plant and in the intermunicipal network prior to a centralized sewage sludge incineration with a phosphorus recovery.

The SATELLITE project consists of intermunicipal consortium including regional centers (WWTP > 50.000 PE), their satellites (WWTP < 50.000 PE), rural nutrient sources (e.g. biogas plants and animal husbandry) and a center for nutrient recovery. This way, the project sets a focal point for a strategically secure investment planning for a sustainable regional nutrient recovery in southern Lower Saxony. For this, the newly founded municipal disposal company KNRN allows to coordinate investment decision of individual plants and allows for easy access to advanced technologies. The collectively coordinated operation thereby defines the management goals: optimized sewage sludge quality (calorific value, P-content), optimal sludge supply (stable use of the plant’s capacity), minimized environmental impact (transportation) and a positive balance for the supplying regional centers. This will be achieved through the selection of tailored technologies, regional nutrient recycling and support with the local nutrient management.

The project started with it’s kick-off in Hannover on 27^th of July in 2020 and is laid out over a period of five years. The consortium, under the coordination of the Institute of Sanitary Engineering and Waste Management, consist of 4 regional centers and satellites, one municipal company, the Lower Saxonian Chamber of Agriculture, 3 SMEs, 2 research institutes and 3 associated partners.

The project is funded by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) in the framework of the funding program “Research for Sustainability” with its focus on “Regional Phosphorus Recycling” (RePhoR). The funding is set to about 3.6 M €.

You can find further information on the SATELLITE project and the funding program RePhoR by clicking the link:

• SATELLITE project website: https://satellite-rephor.de/
• RePhoR website: https://www.bmbf-rephor.de/en/home-en/