Operational Criteria and Challenges in Management of Liquid Waste Treatment Facility Based on Chemical–Physical Processes and Membrane Biological Reactor in Thermophilic Conditions: A Case Study

Maria Cristina Collivignarelli, Stefano Bellazzi (), Laura Maria Rita Calabria, Marco Sordi, Barbara Marianna Crotti and Alessandro Abbà
Additional contact information
Maria Cristina Collivignarelli: Department of Civil Engineering and Architecture, University of Pavia, Via Ferrata 3, 27100 Pavia, Italy
Stefano Bellazzi: Department of Civil Engineering and Architecture, University of Pavia, Via Ferrata 3, 27100 Pavia, Italy
Laura Maria Rita Calabria: Department of Civil Engineering and Architecture, University of Pavia, Via Ferrata 3, 27100 Pavia, Italy
Marco Sordi: ASMia Srl—ASMortara SpA, Via Tiziano Vecellio 540, 27036 Mortara, Italy
Barbara Marianna Crotti: ASMia Srl—ASMortara SpA, Via Tiziano Vecellio 540, 27036 Mortara, Italy
Alessandro Abbà: Department of Civil, Environmental, Architectural Engineering and Mathematics, University of Brescia, Via Branze 43, 25123 Brescia, Italy

Sustainability, 2025, vol. 17, issue 17, 1-19

Abstract: This study investigates the operation and management of an advanced Italian liquid waste treatment platform, focusing on its dual-line configuration and the challenges posed by increasingly heterogeneous waste streams. The main objectives are to (i) characterize the technological and operational features of the system, (ii) evaluate strategies for dealing with variable waste compositions and non-compliant inputs, and (iii) propose governance measures to strengthen cooperation between producers and operators. The methodology integrates the analysis of operational data from 2022 to 2024 (waste volumes, European Waste Catalogue Codes, reagent consumption, sludge production, and energy use) with a critical assessment of acceptance procedures and monitoring protocols. Results show a 10% increase in liquid waste treated over the study period, a growing predominance of complex EWC codes, higher oxygen demand in the thermophilic reactor, and seasonal fluctuations in sludge production. At the same time, the plant achieved stable or improved performance indicators, with specific energy consumption decreasing to 2.08 kWh/kg COD removed in 2024. The study concludes that modular, flexible treatment systems, supported by rigorous waste characterization and real-time decision-making, are essential to ensuring efficiency, regulatory compliance, and long-term environmental sustainability in liquid waste management.

Keywords: liquid waste treatment plant; chemical-physical treatment; thermophilic treatment; advanced management (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
References: Add references at CitEc
Citations:

Downloads: (external link)
https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/17/17/7928/pdf (application/pdf)
https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/17/17/7928/ (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:jsusta:v:17:y:2025:i:17:p:7928-:d:1741318

Access Statistics for this article

Sustainability is currently edited by Ms. Alexandra Wu

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