EIT RawMaterials: Terrafame Group launches a new research project
Terrafame Group Ltd., a partner of EIT RawMaterials, announced the launch of two new research projects.
The projects, called SO4Control and NEMO, will continue developing the concepts resulting from project Ariel which was led by Terrafame Group and was completed at the end of 2017.
In 2015 Terrafame launched a water management development and pilot project named Ariel. The goal of the project was to support Terrafame in sulphate management, a considerable challenge at the time.
Three main concepts to develop Terrafame’s production process and control sulphate levels were identified in project Ariel, launched in November 2015:
- A process optimisation concept where sulphate levels could be reduced by improving membrane purification, among others. Improved chemical efficiency would also generate cost savings. The procedures included in the concept would not require significant investments in the Terrafame process or new permits. Measures to optimise water management have already been taken as part of Terrafame’s operational development projects.
- A recycling concept where the sulphate would be returned to the production process to replace current chemicals. This option has included developing the biological and electrochemical treatment of sulphate. Both options would generate products that can be used to partially replace the chemicals used in the production process. Of these options, a recycling concept based on biological treatment has been taken to a pilot phase. The concept would require, for example, an investment into a bioreactor as well as additions to the environmental permit.
- A recovery concept where sulphates could be recovered, for example, as fertiliser raw materials. This option would require replacing the lye used in bioleaching with an alternative alkali. Implementing the sulphate recovery concept would require significant changes to the current production process, major investments and an extensive environmental permitting process.
Each of these options would require different levels of investments into Terrafame’s production process. The development of the conceptual solutions described above and investigation of their feasibility will continue in two EU-funded projects starting in 2018.
'The Ariel project has created a solid base for further development of Terrafame’s production and environmental technology. The EU projects beginning in 2018 are a natural and very important continuation of the work that has been done. The projects are a significant investment on EU’s part, signaling that the development work carried out by the Terrafame Group is aligned with EU’s raw materials policy,' says chair of the Ariel project’s steering group Päivi Kinnunen from VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland.
SO4Control, a project funded by EIT RawMaterials, will commence in the spring of 2018. It is a three-year project with a funding of EUR 2 million secured. The SO4Control project continues to research and develop the sulphate recycling concept commenced in the Ariel project. It will expand an economically viable solution for treating sulphate containing mining effluents with the help of a bioreactor to a larger scale. The project also aims to generate by-products from sulphate containing effluents for commercial use. The SO4Control will also include the development of bioleaching and membrane technologies. The project partners come from Finland, Germany and Sweden.
Read more about Terrafame Group launching new research projects here.
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