The initiative, promoted by the consortium led by FACSA and which also includes IPROMA, AINIA, ESAMUR and CEBAS-CSIC, aims to promote a circular economy model in the management of sludge and slurry capable of converting waste into resources.
Applying these advances on an industrial scale would make it possible to generate biofertilizer to meet the needs of 1,700 hectares of crops, as well as the annual recycling of approximately 300 tons of nitrogen, 80 tons of potassium, and 70 tons of phosphorus.
The European research project LIFE STO3RE, led by FACSA and also including ESAMUR (Regional Entity for Sanitation and Wastewater Treatment of the Region of Murcia), AINIA (Agri-food Industry Research Association), CEBAS-CSIC (State Agency of the Higher Council for Scientific Research), and IPROMA (Environmental Research and Projects SL), is entering its final stage with the aim of promoting a circular economy model applied to the joint management of farm slurries and sludge produced in small and medium-sized wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs).
The initiative, launched in September 2015, is already being piloted at the Totana Wastewater Treatment Plant (Murcia). By combining different technologies that integrate physical, biological, and chemical processes, the aim is to effectively eliminate pathogens and organic micro-pollutants present in sludge and slurry, while simultaneously obtaining reusable agro-industrial biogas as an energy source, as well as nitrogen, potassium, and phosphorus for use on local farms.
In figures, the application of this technology on an industrial scale would make it possible to generate a biofertilizer in sufficient quantity to cover the needs of 1,700 hectares of crops per year, in addition to reusing 50,000 m3 of water and recycling about 300 tons of nitrogen, 80 of potassium and 70 of phosphorus.
ESAMUR, the main body responsible for water management in the Region of Murcia, has focused in recent years on R&D&I as a tool for cutting-edge technologies that reduce the environmental impact of wastewater treatment and, at the same time, contribute to the reuse of water resources.
“In addition to promoting the stabilization of organic matter, reducing odors from sludge and slurry, and eliminating micro-pollutants and pathogens, the anaerobic digestion technology used in this process allows, among other benefits, the reduction of CO2 emissions and the generation of a renewable energy source such as biogas, which in turn makes the process energy self-sustaining and brings us closer to the goal of 'zero waste',‘ explained Gracia Silvestre, R&D&I technician at AINIA.
Regarding wastewater treatment and reuse, Elena Zuriaga, R&D&I technician at FACSA, emphasized that "wastewater treatment and reuse is becoming increasingly important given the scarcity of this resource." In this respect, she highlighted that "this treatment generates sludge that can be valorized along with other waste products such as livestock manure, from which the aim is to obtain a source of energy and nutrients for agriculture.".
In this regard, CEBAS-CSIC researcher Carlos García pointed out that “today’s society needs to ensure the sustainable production of healthy food, and since biofertilizers can increase the fertility of the soils where they are added, they are key to the agriculture of the future.” “Furthermore, if we obtain these products from organic waste with a high content of organic matter and nutrients, we will benefit both the environment and the economy by transforming 'waste into resource' and thus achieving the goal of a circular economy.‘.
