Proceedings

This paper presents the use of the generic nutrient recovery model library to establish the operational settings of a sustainable and cost-effective treatment scenario with maximal resource recovery and minimal energy and chemical requirements. To this end, an economic analysis was programmed in the process model library, and the operational settings of the treatment train were optimized. Under the optimized conditions and assumptions made, potential financial benefits for a large-scale anaerobic digestion and nutrient recovery project were estimated at an average of ± 2 $ m^-3 year^-1, equivalent with 40 $ ton^-1 total solids year^-1, over 20 years. The internal rate of return after 20 years in this case was 18%. Based on the analysis (worst vs. best case), it was concluded that the feasibility of implementing a resource recovery project depends largely on the heat recovery potential, the marketing potential of the fertilizers, as well as the subsidies obtained.