RRPO 2013 project

Construction of a pilot reactor for the drying and disinfection of municipal and/or industrial sludge from treatment plants

The project addresses Slovenia's 2009 ban on untreated sludge disposal to landfills. The initiative explores using sludge as fertilizer, composting material, construction material, or alternative fuel.

The primary objective was to develop a technically and economically effective solution for the drying and disinfection of industrial and municipal sludge for use as energy sources and other applications.

Developed equipment:

• Reactor mixer for sludge blending
• Heat exchanger (low-temperature <40°C)
• Electronic monitoring systems
• Pilot vacuum device

Results

The vacuum drying technology achieved sludge reduction to 10% dry mass, creating guidelines for 100-tonne/day industrial capacity devices.

Environmental benefits

Volume reduction decreases transport; hygiene stabilization eliminates pathogens; increased calorific value enables energy industry and agricultural use.

Surovina d.o.o. collaborated with University of Maribor, funded by European Regional Development Fund (2013-2015).