Utilization of sewage sludge in EU application of old and new methods—A review
TL;DR: In this article, the authors review past and future trends in sludge handling, focusing mainly at thermal processes (e.g. pyrolysis, wet oxidation, gasification) and the utilization of sewage sludge in cement manufacture as a co-fuel.
Abstract: The European Union has made progress in dealing with municipal wastewater in individual countries and as a corporate entity. However, it intends to make still further and substantial progress over the next 15 years. Currently, the most widely available options in the EU are the agriculture utilization, the waste disposal sites, the land reclamation and restoration, the incineration and other novel uses. The selection of an option on a local basis reflects local or national, cultural, historical, geographical, legal, political and economic circumstances. The degree of flexibility varies from country to country. In any case sludge treatment and disposal should always be considered as an integral part of treatment of wastewater. There is a wide range of other uses for sludge, which exploit its energy or chemical content, namely the thermal processes. The present paper sought to review past and future trends in sludge handling, focusing mainly at thermal processes (e.g. pyrolysis, wet oxidation, gasification) and the utilization of sewage sludge in cement manufacture as a co-fuel.
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TL;DR: In this article, a pilot study evaluated the feasibility of using melting of thermoplastic polyethylene (PE) to improve the drying and heating value of raw sewage sludge.
Abstract: This pilot study evaluated fueling feasibility of sewage sludge, which contains a large amount of water content, by applying melting of thermoplastic polyethylene (PE). This study has identified a simultaneous achievement of drying and heating value improvement of the sewage sludge. The sewage sludge collected from a sewage sludge treatment plant during a winter period had a water content of 83.7 wt%, a combustible volatile content of 12.5 wt%, and an ash content of 3.8 wt%. The higher heating value (HHV) of the dried sewage sludge, before impregnation or coating of PE, was 4,600 kcal/kg. The collected sewage sludge was immersed into the melted PE solution, which had a HHV of 11,070 kcal/kg, and kept immersing with increasing reaction time. As the reaction (immersing or coating or impregnation) time increased, the water content of the sludge decreased. However, the HHV of the sludge increased with increasing the reaction time. The HHVs of the sewage sludge immersed or dipped into the melted PE solution for 15 min ranged from 6,780 to 8,170 kcal/kg with water content less than 7 wt%. This result indicates the melted PE solution can be utilized as an improvement technology for dryness and heating value of the sewage sludge with high water content. The sewage sludge impregnated or coated with melted PE can be utilized as potential fuel or energy resources.
2 citations
31 Jul 2021
TL;DR: In this article, the advantages of pyrolysis of sewage sludge are presented, which is considered an environmentally friendly process because it reduces the emission of greenhouse gases, while heavy metals are concentrated in the final residue.
Abstract: Combustion of fossil fuels, greenhouse gas emissions, large amounts of sewage sludge, lead to environmental pollution and global warming. For this reason we must think of feasible solutions to disposal the sewage sludge by capitalization it and energy recovery. One of the most interesting technologies for disposal the sewage sludge is the pyrolysis process. After the pyrolysis process of sewage sludge are obtained three types of products: bio-oil, syngas and biochar. Bio-oil can be used as an alternative fuel for fossil fuels after refining. Bio-char can be used as an adsorbent after an activation process for the capture and storage CO2. Pyrolysis is considered an environmentally friendly process because it reduces the emission of greenhouse gases, while heavy metals are concentrated in the final residue. In this paper are presented the advantages of sewage sludge pyrolysis.
2 citations
Cites background from "Utilization of sewage sludge in EU ..."
...…reducing the amount of sludge by up to 70%, but it may release pathogens, toxic organic compounds, dioxins and furans, nitrogen oxides, sulfur oxides, heavy metals, all of which are harmful to the environment and human health (Khiari et al., 2004; Hwang et al., 2007; Fytili and Zabaniotou, 2008)....
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...Disposal of sewage sludge by incineration has the advantage of reducing the amount of sludge by up to 70%, but it may release pathogens, toxic organic compounds, dioxins and furans, nitrogen oxides, sulfur oxides, heavy metals, all of which are harmful to the environment and human health (Khiari et al., 2004; Hwang et al., 2007; Fytili and Zabaniotou, 2008)....
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TL;DR: In this article , a study was conducted to screen full-scale sludge reduction technologies integrated into both the water line and the sludge line of a municipal sewage treatment plant with a sustainable impact on the overall balance of the plant.
Abstract: In recent years, increasing attention has been paid to the problem of sewage sludge management and the relevant energy consumption, which represent the main cost items in wastewater treatment plants. Therefore, implementation of technologies that can reduce sludge production and ensure a positive impact on the energy of the entire sewage treatment plant has gained considerable importance in the scientific and technical community. The objective of this study was thus to screen full-scale sludge reduction technologies integrated into both the water line and the sludge line of a municipal sewage treatment plant with a sustainable impact on the overall balance of the plant. The results showed that, within the water line, ultrasound in the recirculation line of the activated sludge allowed for greater reductions in sludge production than the Cannibal and UTN systems, despite the higher energy consumption. CAMBITM, BioThelysTM, ExelysTM and TurboTec® enabled the greatest reductions in sludge production among the technologies integrated into the sludge line, and although they required a large amount of energy, this was partially offset by energy recovery in terms of additional biogas production.
2 citations
01 Jan 2018
TL;DR: Diferents tecniques moleculars i eines bioinformatiques han permes caracteritzar els cultius d'enriquiment establerts, aixi com els bioreactors amb bacteris, algues i fongs, capacos d'eliminar contaminants, determinar l'impacte dels efluents resultants quan s'utilitzen com a aigua regenerada.
Abstract: ENG Rising awareness of pollutants not previously detected or monitored (emerging contaminants) has brought new challenges to the scientific community focused in environmental remediation. This thesis aimed to assess the microbial communities responsible of emerging contaminant removal in a variety of human-engineered systems as well as to evaluate the impact of the resulting effluents when they are used as reclaimed water. Molecular microbiology methods were used along with bioinformatic tools to assess the development of enrichment cultures and bioreactors driven by bacteria, algae and fungi, capable of pollutant removal. The bacterial genera Dehalogenimonas and Dehalobacterium were identified as the responsible of organohalide degradation in two enrichment cultures and their concomitant microbiota was assessed to denote putative synergies. The specialized community developed in a pilot-scale photobioreactor was also elucidated during urban wastewater treatment, with efficient removal of pollutants and pharmaceuticals. Efficiency of enrichment cultures, obtained from natural environments, over algal pure cultures was demonstrated in the removal of estrogenic compounds. Moreover, filamentous cyanobacteria were linked to a fast and efficient recovery of photosynthetic biomass. The dynamics of indigenous bacteria, fungi, and the inoculated strain of Trametes versicolor were assessed in continuous bioreactors and fungal biopiles treating hospital wastewater and sewage sludge, respectively. Both the inoculated fungus and some bacterial communities were correlated to the removal of pharmaceutical families. Finally, the effect of effluents obtained from fungal treatment over soil ecosystems were compared to conventionally-treated wastewater in laboratory model systems (microcosms), showing up a similar behavior to the negative controls that did not contain pharmaceuticals. CAT Actualment, un dels nous reptes de la comunitat cientifica es fer front a l'increment de contaminants emergents als ambients naturals. La bioremediacio s'ha perfilat com una bona alternativa per donar resposta a aquesta necessitat. El proposit d'aquesta tesi ha estat estudiar les comunitats microbianes responsables de l'eliminacio de contaminants emergents en diversos sistemes artificials, aixi com determinar l'impacte dels efluents resultants quan s'utilitzen com a aigua regenerada. Diferents tecniques moleculars i eines bioinformatiques han permes caracteritzar els cultius d'enriquiment establerts, aixi com els bioreactors amb bacteris, algues i fongs, capacos d'eliminar contaminants. Els generes bacterians Dehalogenimonas i Dehalobacterium s'han identificat com a responsables de la degradacio d'organohalonenats en dos cultius d'enriquiment i la seva microbiota acompanyant ha estat estat avaluada per posar de manifest possibles sinergies. Paral·lelament, s'ha caracteritzat la comunitat desenvolupada en un fotobioreactor a escala pilot durant l'eliminacio de contaminants i productes farmaceutics a partir d'aigues residuals urbanes. Pel que fa a compostos estrogenics, s'ha demostrat una millor capacitat d'eliminacio per part dels cultius d'enriquiment de microorganismes fototrofics en comparacio amb cultius purs. A mes a mes, s'ha relacionat la presencia de cianobacteris filamentosos amb una recuperacio rapida i eficac de la biomassa fotosintetica. D'altra banda, s'ha analitzat la dinamica de bacteris i fongs, aixi com de Trametes versicolor inoculat en bioreactors continus i biopiles fungiques utilitzats per tractar aigues residuals hospitalaries i llots de depuradora. Tant el fong inoculat com algunes de les comunitats bacterianes indigenes s'han correlacionat amb l'eliminacio d'alguns grups de farmacs. Finalment, s'ha evaluat l'impacte dels efluent obtinguts a partir de diferents tractaments d'aigues residuals hospitalaries irrigant microcosmos que mimetitzaven el sol. Els resultats obtinguts han posat de manifest que els efluents fungics es comporten de manera similar als controls negatius sense productes farmaceutics.
2 citations
Cites background from "Utilization of sewage sludge in EU ..."
...The sludge is the main residue generated in WWTPs during solid-liquid separations in primary, secondary and tertiary treatments [354]....
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Dissertation•
08 Aug 2011
TL;DR: O'Reilly et al. as mentioned in this paper developed the NUI Galway/EPA Water Research Facility (WRF), which is a full-scale test bed for innovative wastewater and water treatment technologies and comprises a fullscale wastewater treatment plant (treating up to 50 m/day), a tertiary treatment facility (t treating up to 2 m/hr) capable of supporting a number of technologies such as automatic sand filtration, activated carbon systems, chlorine dosing, UV etc., and remote operating, monitoring and control processes.
Abstract: associated with Chapters 3 and 6. Appendix A Published abstracts A3 A.2 A unique full scale water research facility for applied and fundamental research, technology development, education and public outreach Eoghan Clifford Edmond O’Reilly and Michael Rodgers 1 Civil Engineering NUI GALWAYeoghan.clifford@nuigalway.ie (* corresponding author); edmond.oreilly@nuigalway.ie 2 Rodgers Morgan Environmental Ltd, Galway michaelrodgers64@gmail.com Abstract At present in Europe, there is a need, driven mainly by EU environmental legislation, for sustainable, robust and economic water, wastewater and sludge treatment technologies. Furthermore these technologies are required to be increasingly energy efficient, employ new monitoring and control techniques and have reduced maintenance. This will present many opportunities for the water and wastewater industries, cognate companies and research organisations. Local authorities, universities and other stakeholders will also be required to educate and train students and staff in the use and operation of new technologies. To meet these challenges NUI Galway, with funding from the EPA, and support from Galway County Council, have developed the NUI Galway/EPA Water Research Facility (WRF). The WRF is a full-scale test bed for innovative wastewater and water treatment technologies and comprises a full-scale wastewater treatment plant (treating up to 50 m/day), a tertiary treatment facility (treating up to 2 m/hr) capable of supporting a number of technologies such as automatic sand filtration, activated carbon systems, chlorine dosing, UV etc., and remote operating, monitoring and control processes.At present in Europe, there is a need, driven mainly by EU environmental legislation, for sustainable, robust and economic water, wastewater and sludge treatment technologies. Furthermore these technologies are required to be increasingly energy efficient, employ new monitoring and control techniques and have reduced maintenance. This will present many opportunities for the water and wastewater industries, cognate companies and research organisations. Local authorities, universities and other stakeholders will also be required to educate and train students and staff in the use and operation of new technologies. To meet these challenges NUI Galway, with funding from the EPA, and support from Galway County Council, have developed the NUI Galway/EPA Water Research Facility (WRF). The WRF is a full-scale test bed for innovative wastewater and water treatment technologies and comprises a full-scale wastewater treatment plant (treating up to 50 m/day), a tertiary treatment facility (treating up to 2 m/hr) capable of supporting a number of technologies such as automatic sand filtration, activated carbon systems, chlorine dosing, UV etc., and remote operating, monitoring and control processes.
2 citations
Additional excerpts
...Study 1 Setting 1 Influent b 199 (79) 262 (42) 187 (48) Effluent c 43 (5) 86 (17) 66 (10) % removal 74% 67% 65%...
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References
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TL;DR: In this paper, an analytical procedure involving sequential chemicai extractions was developed for the partitioning of particulate trace metals (Cd, Co, Cu, Ni, Pb, Zn, Fe, and Mn) into five fractions: exchangeable, bound to carbonates, binding to Fe-Mn oxides and bound to organic matter.
Abstract: An analytical procedure involving sequential chemicai extractions has been developed for the partitioning of particulate trace metals (Cd, Co, Cu, Ni, Pb, Zn, Fe, and Mn) into five fractions: exchangeable, bound to carbonates, bound to Fe-Mn oxides, bound to organic matter, and residual. Experimental results obtained on replicate samples of fluvial bottom sediments demonstrate that the relative standard deviation of the sequential extraction procedure Is generally better than =10%. The accuracy, evaluated by comparing total trace metal concentrations with the sum of the five Individual fractions, proved to be satisfactory. Complementary measurements were performed on the Individual leachates, and on the residual sediments following each extraction, to evaluate the selectivity of the various reagents toward specific geochemical phases. An application of the proposed method to river sediments is described, and the resulting trace metal speciation is discussed.
10,518 citations
"Utilization of sewage sludge in EU ..." refers background in this paper
...Over the last decades, a great variety of extraction schemes, both simple and sequential have been developed and, although some methods have been widely used [12,13] none has been unreservedly accepted by the scientific community....
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Book•
01 Jan 1972
TL;DR: Wastewater Engineering: An Overview of Wastewater Engineering, Methods and Implementation Considerations as mentioned in this paper is a good starting point for a discussion of the issues of wastewater engineering. But, it is not a complete survey of the entire literature.
Abstract: Wastewater Engineering: An Overview. Wastewater Flowrates. Wastewater Characteristics. Wastewater Treatment Objective, Methods, and Implementation Considerations. Introduction to Wastewater Treatment Plant Design. Physical Unit Operations. Chemical Unit Processes. Biological Unit Processes. Design of Facilities for Physical and Chemical Treatment of Wastewater. Design of Facilities for the Biological Treatment of Wastewater. Advanced Wastewater Treatment. Design of Facilities for the Treatment and Disposal of Sludge. Natural-Treatment Systems. Small Wastewater Treatment Systems. Management of Wastewater from Combined Sewers. Wastewater Reclamation and Reuse.
3,826 citations
TL;DR: In this article, a review of the current and future issues related to the combustion of sewage sludge is presented, and a number of technologies for thermal processing of sludge are discussed in three groups, i.e., mono-combustion, cocombustions and alternative processes.
1,026 citations
"Utilization of sewage sludge in EU ..." refers background in this paper
...Multiple hearth and fluidized bed furnaces are the most popular and the latter is becoming widely applied [24]....
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...Analysis has shown that about 78–98% of Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn present in the sewage sludge are retained in the ash, whereas up to 98% of the Hg may be released into the atmosphere with the flue gas [24]....
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...The whole process is occurring in two distinctive regimes [24]:...
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TL;DR: In this article, the authors proposed a standardization with respect to grain size effects, commonly achieved by analyzing the sieve fraction <63μm, which is used to pin point major sources of metal pollution and to estimate the toxicity potential of dredged materials.
Abstract: Sediment analyses are used to pin‐point major sources of metal pollution and to estimate the toxicity potential of dredged materials on agricultural land. For source assessments (Part I of the present review) standardization is needed with respect to grain size effects, commonly achieved by analyzing the sieve fraction <63μm. Further aspects include sampling methods, evaluation of background data and extent of anthropogenic metal enrichment.
530 citations