Thermal Processing of P-rich ashes aiming for HIGH-GRADE PHOSPHORUS Products (PHIGO)

Purpose and goal:

One of the most sustainable options to secure the future P supply within EU is recovery of P from food production and consumption chain. The innovative PHIGO solution aims to optimize the incineration step and to develop a sustainable technology for efficient P-extraction from the P-rich ashes and thereby enabling closing the P loop.

The main contributions of the PHIGO to the Strategic EU Implementation Plan include: - Recovery of critical material (CRM) P and reduced import of another CRM phosphate rock; - A sustainable EU P-strategy to secure the P need and close the P-Loop within EU. Expected results and effects:

The project contribute to a more circular economy oriented and sustainable EU, a secured supply of critical material P to the EU and its related industries, a reduced dependency on import phosphate rock. It will contribute for the present promotion of: i) manure and SS incineration as a source of green energy and production of P-rich ashes;

ii) (REE, U, Th)-free fertilizers based on P-rich ashes; iii) alternative sources of P for chemical and technological applications; iv) measures to avoid that produced P is lost in the food production and consumption as disposed aviary manure and SS. Approach and implementation:

The project starts in 01-03-2022 and will be completed in 28-02-2025. The project consists of 8 work packages (WP). WP1: Organization of the project including writing of the “Consortium Agreement” and kick-off meeting.

WP2: P-rich ash; sampling, optimization and supply. WP3: Characterizations. WP4: Concept verification, product and design flowsheet.

WP5: Thermal P-extraction using electric furnace. WP6: Thermal P-extraction using micowave heating technique. WP7: Evaluation of products and zero waste assessment. WP8: Sustainability evaluation.