World first - ammonia from sewage transformed into fuel

Image: Adolfo Félix, Unsplash

In a world first, pioneering technology will be used to capture ammonia from sewage, with the potential to turn it into green fuel for vehicles.

UK utility Northumbrian Water is installing the kit at Howdon sewage treatment works in north-east England. The innovation, developed following a successful funding bid to water regulator Ofwat, uses heat to strip ammonia from wastewater, generating fertiliser products and green fuels that may be used in the emerging hydrogen economy.

Once the facility is fully operational, it will be the first time in the world that a water company has ever recovered ammonia from wastewater using this technique.

"This project is going to have a massive environmental impact, drive us towards our net zero targets and ultimately contribute to the green gas and renewable fuel agenda."

Angela MacOscar, Northumbrian Water
Ammonia recovery facility has arrived at Howdon treatment works

Angela MacOscar, head of innovation at Northumbrian Water, said, “To have the equipment physically on site and in the process of being installed marks a significant step forward, not just for us but for the UK and the entire water sector.

“This pilot project is going to have a massive environmental impact, drive us towards our net zero targets and ultimately contribute to the government’s green gas and renewable fuel agenda. We’re very excited to see the benefits of this project for our customers and the environment.”

Generated by the natural breakdown of proteins in wastewater, ammonia is a widely used building-block for valuable chemicals, such as in the production of fertiliser or pharmaceuticals, or used to help develop green fuels.

Northbumbrian Water developed the recovery technique with project partners Organics Group, Anglian Water, Cranfield University, Warwick University and consulting engineer WSP, with £225,000 Ofwat funding. The hi-tech facility was purpose-built at the Organics factory in Thailand before being transported to Howdon.

Dr Robert Eden, managing director of the Organics Group, said, “We are delighted to be part of the Northumbrian Water team on this world-first. The technology is designed to provide water companies with a cost-effective alternative to conventional denitrification systems, and will generate opportunities, not only for ammonia-based products but also for enhanced decarbonisation of the global water sector.”

Removing ammonia will also have benefits for the wastewater treatment process, making it more efficient by reducing overall energy demand and ultimately helping to keep customer bills as low as possible.