ABDE Solutions

Wastewater from 4 million inhabitants produces sludge that is still rich in organic matter and nutrients.

In order to be able to recover maximum energy and material in the future, two sludge dryers are being built. Two ‘central’ plants will be set up in Roeselare and Beringen where the sludge will be dried with low-temperature residual heat from the incinerator.

The dried sludge is still energy-rich and is then taken to the ‘central’ thermal processing plant in Ghent. On the site next to Arcelor-Mittal, the sludge monoprocessor is set up that converts the dried sludge into high-quality steam. Through a steam pipe, the energy is supplied to the steam expansion turbine that produces electricity and heat. The electricity is supplied to the sludge mono-processor and the steam to Arcelor’s network.

ABDE is proud to be actively involved in the design and realization of both projects.

The sludge dryers use an energetically advanced drying technique so that the sludge granules contain a maximum energy value. The construction of both installations started at the end of November 2024, the construction and start-up of which will take two years.

The thermal processing of the sludge granules in the power plant in Ghent produces energy-rich steam. The green power plant is located next to the Arcelor Mittal sites where a backpressure expansion turbine is being installed. This will convert the steam into electricity to supply it to the power plant or the grid. Expanded steam from the turbine is supplied to Arcelor Mittal’s steam network.

In the long term, Aquafin is investigating the possibility of recovering phosphorus from the ashes of the power plant.

By supplying green energy and the strategic location of this plant in the port of Ghent, Aquafin and Arcelor Mittal can significantly reduce their CO2 footprint.