Sisomar:
Biosecure and Energy-Efficient
Sludge Treatment for Smolt Production
The Challenge: Handling Growth and Increased Biomass Sustainably
With more than 40 years of experience, Sisomar is one of Northern Norway’s leading producers of high-quality smolt for owners Lofoten Sjøprodukter, Eidsfjord Sjøfarm, and AS Aqua.
To meet rising demand for larger smolt and post-smolt, Sisomar expanded its facility in Straumen with a new flow-through and partial reuse department (Hall H).
The upgrade increases annual feed use from 2,200 to 3,300 tons and expands production capacity from 12 to 14 million smolt per year.
This expansion required a new generation of sludge handling technology — one capable of managing higher feed loads, maintaining pristine water quality, and supporting the site’s strict biosecurity and energy-efficiency standards.
The Solution: Sterner’s Advanced Sludge Treatment System (MAT)
Key features include:
- High-Efficiency Sedimentation and Thickening
Captures over 90 % of suspended solids (SS) under variable load conditions, ensuring stable process performance. - Mechanical Dewatering
Screw press units increase dry matter content to ~30 % TS before drying, significantly reducing transport weight. - Low-Temperature Belt Drying
Further increases dry matter to > 90 % TS using air at 40–50 °C, preserving nutrients while minimizing energy use. - Heat Recovery and Energy Efficiency
A closed-loop heat-pump system reuses thermal energy from the drying process, reducing overall power consumption. - Hygienic and Integrated Design
Built for full wash-down and automated control, ensuring safe operation and easy integration with Sisomar’s monitoring and control systems.
The result is a circular, low-energy sludge management process that aligns perfectly with Sisomar’s sustainability and fish-welfare ambitions.
The Results: Sustainable, Biosecure, and Future-Ready
Sterner’s system enables Sisomar to manage increasing production volumes without compromising water quality or environmental compliance.
Key outcomes:
- Over 95 % reduction in water content through efficient dewatering and drying.
- Significant energy savings through heat recovery and partial water reuse (up to 60 %).
- Hygienic, low-maintenance operation ensuring high biosecurity standards.
- Circular end product: nutrient-rich dried sludge suitable for fertilizer or energy recovery in industrial processes.
About Sterner
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