Development of an Automated Struvite Reactor Control System for Phosphorus Recovery from Bio-waste
Phosphorus recovery technology
Herr Ltd develops technologies that support nutrient recovery from urine and other waste streams, helping promote the circular economy through phosphorus recovery and sustainable nutrient management.
The company required an automated control system for a struvite reactor used to recover natural phosphorus from bio-waste. The phosphorus extraction process required accurate agitation, monitoring of liquid mixtures, and automated sequencing of process operations. Manual operation limited consistency and scalability, creating a need for an intelligent control solution.
Automated control system
Through an Innovation Voucher, CREDIT Technology Gateway worked closely with Herr Ltd to develop an automated control system for its struvite reactor technology. The project began with the development of embedded control software to automate key stages of the phosphorus recovery process. A simulation environment was then created to test and validate the automation logic before implementation.
Following this, a Bill of Materials (BOM) was produced and a custom PCB was designed to support the control system. The PCB was subsequently manufactured and refined to a production-ready standard. The project concluded with a demonstration test of the complete automation system, confirming its functionality and providing Herr Ltd with a robust platform for the continued development and commercialisation of its phosphorus recovery technology.
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Irish Company
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Innovation Voucher
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Automated control system
“The Innovation Voucher project with the CREDIT Technology Gateway enabled us to accelerate the development of our phosphorus recovery technology. Through the design of a dedicated automation control system, the Gateway team helped us improve process control, enhance reliability and support the next stage of commercial development. We are delighted with the expertise, professionalism and practical solutions delivered throughout the project.“
Ollan Herr (MD)
Herr Ltd & CREDIT Technology Gateway partnership
The project has provided Herr Ltd with a fully functional automation control system and a production-ready PCB designed specifically for its phosphorus recovery technology. Through the support of the CREDIT Technology Gateway, the company gained access to the expertise required to develop a cost-effective and scalable automation solution.
The completed system enabled Herr Ltd to accelerate product development, reduce technical barriers to commercialisation, and bring the first version of the product to market. As a result, the technology has been successfully introduced within local community settings, providing a practical platform for future growth and wider adoption of the company’s nutrient recovery solutions.