Future Directions of Sustainable Resource Utilization of Residual Sewage Sludge: A Review

Weicheng Zheng, Yuchao Shao (), Shulin Qin and Zhongquan Wang
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Weicheng Zheng: Hangzhou Research Institute of China Coal Technology & Engineering Group, Hangzhou 311201, China
Yuchao Shao: State Key Laboratory of Environmental Criteria and Risk Assessment, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing 100012, China
Shulin Qin: Hangzhou Research Institute of China Coal Technology & Engineering Group, Hangzhou 311201, China
Zhongquan Wang: Hangzhou Research Institute of China Coal Technology & Engineering Group, Hangzhou 311201, China

Sustainability, 2024, vol. 16, issue 16, 1-19

Abstract: With the simultaneous increase in wastewater generation and wastewater treatment rates in China, the annual production of residual sewage sludge (RSS) has been steadily rising, exceeding 70 million tons with an 80% moisture content. The sustainable resource utilization of RSS will be the predominant disposal method instead of sanitary landfilling in China. This review aimed to systematically analyze the major sustainable resource utilization technologies for RSS. Firstly, the basic characteristics of RSS in China were analyzed. A comparative analysis was conducted to assess the advantages, disadvantages, and applicability of three primary sustainable resource utilization technologies for RSS: building materials, energy utilization, and phosphorus recovery, aiming to provide clear insights for the development of future strategies. The research findings revealed that no single method can economically and environmentally address all challenges in the utilization of RSS resources. It is necessary to adopt appropriate resource utilization technologies according to the characteristics of RSS from wastewater treatment, achieving integration of pollution control and resource utilization. This review can provide scientific guidance for future sustainable utilization of RSS resources.

Keywords: residual sewage sludge; sustainable resource utilization; building materials; energy utilization; carbonization; phosphorus recovery (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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