Progress on upscaling our nitrogen solution

The EU LIFE RE-Fertilize project, taking EasyMining’s technology for nitrogen removal and recovery from lab pilot scale to industrial pilot scale is progressing well. In early 2021, COWI was contracted as engineering firm to conduct detail engineering for the demonstration plant and Enerco Industrial Projects was contracted as fabrication supplier for the modules. The detail engineering for the plant is proceeding according to plan, and the fabrication of the modules has started. 

26 May 2021

–  The advantages of our process are that it can prevent eutrophication at the same time as it is a circular solution, allowing us to reuse the nitrogen we already have extracted from the atmosphere once. What we want to prove with the demonstration plant is also that it is energy efficient, resource efficient and climate friendly, says Anna Lundbom, project manager for LIFE RE-Fertilize at EasyMining. 

The detail engineering, with COWI as engineering firm, is progressing according to plan. Since the demonstration plant will be built in two mobile units fitted into a limited space the detail engineering for the plant is more challenging than in many other projects.

– This project is quite a challenging one. We are preparing a detailed design, of all disciplines, for a pilot-scale process plant with very tight space constraints and within a short timeframe of six months. At the same time we start the fabrication of the modules before finalising detailed design for all disciplines, in order to keep the project deadline. In such a project, the close cooperation we have with COWI and Enerco is really important, says Ruben Marshall, technical project manager for LIFE RE-Fertilize at EasyMining. 

–  This is an exciting project, where we in several disciplines get the opportunity to work close together with a knowledgeable and committed customer. In addition, we also contribute to increasing recycling and green conversion, which feels extra good, says Annelie Albertsson, project manager at COWI Industri.

Enerco Industrial Projects will be fabricating the two mobile units, and installing the units at site. The fabrication started in May and will be finished in quarter four 2021. 

– The LIFE RE-Fertilize project is a fun and exciting project, which is right in time seen to circular solutions. Sustainable projects like this, doing good for the environment, is something that Enerco think is important to be part of, says Anders Fälldin, project manager at Enerco Industrial Projects. 

The RE-Fertilize project is financed by the EU LIFE programme. Project number LIFE18 ENV/SE/000265  

 

COWI 
COWI is a leading consulting group that creates value for customers, people and society through their unique 360° approach. Based on their world-class competencies within engineering, economics and environmental science COWI tackle challenges from many vantage points to create coherent solutions for their customers - and thereby sustainable and coherent societies in the world.
Read more about COWI


Enerco Industrial Projects
 
Enerco Industrial Projects is active in the Nordics in investigating, designing, manufacturing, assembly and maintenance within several industries. The company is part of Enerco Group with 500 employees stationed at eight locations in the Nordics.
 Read more about Enerco (in swedish)


EU LIFE RE-Fertilize
 
In 2019, EasyMining, together with project partner BIOFOS, Lantmännen and Ragn-Sells, received 19 million SEK in financing from EU LIFE programme. In the project the, by EasyMining, patented nitrogen removal and recovery process will be taken from lab pilot scale to industrial pilot scale. Included in the objective for the project is also to evaluate the ammonium sulphate produced by the process.
 Read more about the RE-Fertilize project


EU LIFE-programme
The LIFE programme is the EU’s funding instrument for the environment and climate action created in 1992. Until 2013, LIFE had contributed approximately €3.1 billion to the protection of the environment. Duing the 2014-2020 funding period the programme will contribute approximately €3.4 billion more.

 

Re-Fertilize project

The main objective of the Re-Fertilize project was to demonstrate EasyMining’s innovative process for nitrogen removal and recovery.