Fieldcase Destelbergen, Heusden and Nevele by Proefcentrum Sierteelt and KU Leuven
In Flanders, KU Leuven and PCS co-operate in order to reduce phosphorus (P) and nitrogen (N) losses originating from greenhouse effluent and drainage water.Nutrient removal systems are currently being tested at 7 different locations, among them Destelbergen and Nevele.
P removal on greenhouse effluent can be attained by applying a P filter. Both iron coated sand (ICS) and iron sludge pellets proved to be good adsorbents for P. Removal efficiencies amount up to 90%.
At grower Meuninck in Nevele:
At PCS in Destelbergen:
N removal
N removal on greenhouse effluent is currently achieved by applying conventional constructed wetlands. Removal efficiencies of the latter will be compared with a moving bed bio reactor (requiring less surface). MBBRs are also tested for N removal in drainage water. However, electrical supply in remote areas poses a challenge. Therefore, solar energy and the use of batteries is considered. Currently, the MBBRs are in the startup phase. It is expected to achieve a 60% N removal.
