Nutrient Recovery
At a Glance
Challenge: Phosphorus and nitrogen fertilizer raw materials are imported from a small number of countries, China in particular, which leaves food production exposed to supply disruption and price shocks.
Solution: Plasma-assisted recovery of phosphorus, nitrogen and other nutrients from wastewater, sewage sludge and poultry manure, producing domestic fertilizer feedstock.
Status: Under discussion with Japan government agencies; U.S. applications in development; phosphorus recovery from chicken manure is an active business.
THE CHALLENGE
Food security depends on a secure supply of phosphate and nitrogen fertilizer.
Large volumes of these nutrients are thrown away every day in municipal wastewater, sewage sludge and livestock and poultry manure, where they are a disposal and water-pollution burden (nutrient runoff drives algal blooms, which links to the water purification program).
Recovering them turns a waste liability into a strategic domestic resource.
Our Approach
Plasma Pre-Treatment: PAW breaks down organic matter and converts organically bound phosphorus into orthophosphate, the form that can be recovered most efficiently. It also disinfects pathogens and decomposes odors (ammonia, hydrogen sulfide).
Nutrient Capture: Conventional, proven recovery steps such as struvite (magnesium ammonium phosphate) precipitation recover phosphorus and nitrogen as a clean, slow-release fertilizer.
qualified.
Feedstocks: Municipal wastewater and sewage sludge, poultry manure, swine manure, and harvested algae.
Output: Pathogen-free nutrient products for domestic fertilizer production, plus cleaner effluent.
BENEFITS
Reduces dependence on imported fertilizer raw materials.
Cuts nutrient pollution of rivers, lakes and the Chesapeake Bay watershed
Turns poultry-manure disposal costs into a product (relevant to Delmarva Poultry region).
Chemical-light, modular and deployable at the farm, treatment plant or processor.
Status and Next Steps
Established phosphorus and nitrogen recovery from poultry manure, swine manure and municipal sludge (partner process)
Discussions with Japanese Government Ministries on domestic fertilizer production
Small-scale nutrient recovery within the Water Purification program (struvite from harvested algae).
Next: Identify a U.S. pilot partner(s) (municipal utility, poultry integrator, etc.) and file targeted patents.