The resource recovery revolution

Terrawater ASL converts ammonium sulfate solution (ASS) into sulfuric acid ammonia (SAA) – a storable, marketable solid fertilizer of consistent quality. It allows owners of biogas plants and industrial treatment processes to reduce ASS storage and handling costs and opens up new marketing opportunities for the nitrogen it contains. In practice, ASS often involves significant outlay. Depending on the concentration, it is either classed as a waste material or is only marketable to a limited extent as a liquid fertilizer. In addition, fluctuations in quality, expensive special tanks, storage risks at low temperatures, and possible concrete corrosion make further use difficult. Terrawater ASL turns a challenging substance into a high-quality, stable solid fertilizer. The system offers clear benefits in terms of cost-effectiveness, operational reliability, and storage.

How Terrawater ASL works

The system was developed based on our tried-and-tested Terrawater Saline system, which was originally designed for sea salt production. A thermal process is used to concentrate the ammonium sulfate solution until powdered sulfuric acid ammonia (SAA) crystallizes out. The product can then be granulated, if desired. This produces defined grain sizes that can be used directly in fertilizer spreaders. The system has a modular design, can be maintained remotely, and can be flexibly implemented as a container solution or as an individual installation in a building.

Benefits at a glance

Terrawater ASL

Increase added value
A consistently high-quality nitrogen fertilizer is obtained from ammonium sulfate solution.
Make solid fertilizer marketable
Liquid ASS is turned into sulfuric acid ammonia (SAA), which can be traded on fertilizer exchanges.
Save on special tanks
There is no need for the complex storage of ASS in special tanks.
Implement sustainable operations
The system uses excess heat from technical processes or cooling water circuits and is therefore eligible for the cogeneration bonus.

Benefits for storage and application

Avoid storage risks
Risks such as the precipitation of salt at low temperatures are significantly reduced.
Prevent concrete corrosion
By converting ASS into SAA, the risk of corrosion-induced damage is eliminated.
Simplify storage
SAA can be stored in big bags in a warehouse without taking up much space and without absorbing any moisture.
Use granules effectively
The optional granulator can be used to produce defined grain sizes for direct use in fertilizer spreaders.

Crystallizing ASS into solid fertilizer

Chemical air scrubbing is used to capture emissions containing ammonia. This often produces ammonium sulfate solution, or ASS for short. Typical fields of application include fermentation residue treatment in biogas plants, sludge treatment, and industrial drying and processing methods, in which ammonia emissions must be safely reduced. ASS contains nitrogen and sulfur and is therefore a valuable source of nutrients.

Learn more