Thermal Disintegration of Waste-Activated Sludge

Katarzyna Bułkowska () and Magdalena Zielińska
Additional contact information
Katarzyna Bułkowska: Department of Environmental Biotechnology, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Słoneczna St. 45G, 10-709 Olsztyn, Poland
Magdalena Zielińska: Department of Environmental Biotechnology, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Słoneczna St. 45G, 10-709 Olsztyn, Poland

Energies, 2024, vol. 17, issue 17, 1-28

Abstract: The effective management of waste-activated sludge (WAS) presents a significant challenge for wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs), primarily due to the sludge’s high content of organic matter, pathogens, and hazardous substances such as heavy metals. As urban populations and industrial activities expand, the increasing volume of WAS has intensified the need for sustainable treatment solutions. Conventional approaches, such as landfilling and anaerobic digestion, are frequently ineffective and resource-intensive, particularly when dealing with the protective extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) that render WAS resistant to biodegradation. Thermal pretreatment methods have gained attention due to their ability to enhance the biodegradability of sludge, improve dewaterability, and facilitate resource recovery. These processes function by breaking down complex organic structures within the sludge, thereby increasing its accessibility for subsequent treatments such as anaerobic digestion. The integration of thermal treatment with chemical methods can further optimize the management process, resulting in higher biogas yields, reduced pathogen content, and lower environmental risks. While thermal disintegration is energy-intensive, advancements in energy recovery and process optimization have made it a more viable and environmentally friendly option. This approach offers a pathway to more sustainable and efficient sludge management practices, which align with the goals of reducing waste and complying with stricter environmental regulations.

Keywords: waste-activated sludge management; advanced treatment technologies of waste-activated sludge; solubilization of organic matter; thermal disintegration (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations:

Downloads: (external link)
https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/17/17/4447/pdf (application/pdf)
https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/17/17/4447/ (text/html)

Related works:
This item may be available elsewhere in EconPapers: Search for items with the same title.

Export reference: BibTeX RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan) HTML/Text

Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:gam:jeners:v:17:y:2024:i:17:p:4447-:d:1471545

Access Statistics for this article

Energies is currently edited by Ms. Agatha Cao

More articles in Energies from MDPI
Bibliographic data for series maintained by MDPI Indexing Manager ().