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Kodešová R, Švecová H, Klement A, Fér M, Nikodem A, Fedorova G, Rieznyk O, Kočárek M, Sadchenko A, Chroňáková A, Grabic R. Contamination of water, soil, and plants by micropollutants from reclaimed wastewater and sludge from a wastewater treatment plant. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 907:167965. [PMID: 37866592 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.167965] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2023] [Revised: 10/17/2023] [Accepted: 10/18/2023] [Indexed: 10/24/2023]
Abstract
Several studies have shown that plants can absorb various micropollutants. The behavior of micropollutants from wastewater treatment plant resources was comprehensively investigated in raised beds in which either a mixture of vegetables or maize was grown. The beds were either irrigated with treated wastewater or enriched with sewage sludge or composted sewage sludge. Over the year, samples of wastewater, water drained from the beds, soils and plants were analyzed. Of the seventy-five analyzed substances, fifty-four, thirty-three and twenty-seven were quantified in wastewater, sewage sludge, and composted sludge, respectively. Alarmingly, approximately 20 % of the compounds from wastewater were also detected in the solutions leached from the beds irrigated with wastewater (e.g., gabapentin, tramadol, sertraline, carbamazepine, its metabolites, and benzotriazoles). In addition, a gradual increase in the content of four substances (telmisartan, venlafaxine, carbamazepine, citalopram) was recorded in these beds. The compounds from both biosolids used for soil enrichment tended to remain in the soils (e.g., telmisartan, venlafaxine, sertraline, its metabolite, citalopram, and its metabolite). Only four compounds (sertraline and three benzotriazoles) leached from these beds. Uptake of some chemicals (e.g., gabapentin, tramadol, carbamazepine and its metabolite, and venlafaxine and its metabolite) and their accumulation in plant tissues was observed mainly in vegetables grown on beds irrigated with wastewater. However, daily consumption values for edible plant parts and individual compounds did not indicate a direct threat to human health. Results of this innovative study show possible risks associated with the use of these resources in agriculture. Of particular concern is the possible micropollutants percolation towards groundwater, including those for which high sorption and thus low mobility in the soil environment is expected, such as sertraline. Soil and crop contamination cannot be neglected either.
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Affiliation(s)
- Radka Kodešová
- Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources, Dept. of Soil Science and Soil Protection, Kamýcká 129, 16500, Prague, Suchdol, Czech Republic.
| | - Helena Švecová
- University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice, Faculty of Fisheries and Protection of Waters, South Bohemian Research Centre of Aquaculture and Biodiversity of Hydrocenoses, Zátiší 728/II, 38925 Vodňany, Czech Republic
| | - Aleš Klement
- Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources, Dept. of Soil Science and Soil Protection, Kamýcká 129, 16500, Prague, Suchdol, Czech Republic
| | - Miroslav Fér
- Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources, Dept. of Soil Science and Soil Protection, Kamýcká 129, 16500, Prague, Suchdol, Czech Republic
| | - Antonín Nikodem
- Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources, Dept. of Soil Science and Soil Protection, Kamýcká 129, 16500, Prague, Suchdol, Czech Republic
| | - Ganna Fedorova
- University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice, Faculty of Fisheries and Protection of Waters, South Bohemian Research Centre of Aquaculture and Biodiversity of Hydrocenoses, Zátiší 728/II, 38925 Vodňany, Czech Republic
| | - Oleksandra Rieznyk
- Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources, Dept. of Soil Science and Soil Protection, Kamýcká 129, 16500, Prague, Suchdol, Czech Republic
| | - Martin Kočárek
- Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources, Dept. of Soil Science and Soil Protection, Kamýcká 129, 16500, Prague, Suchdol, Czech Republic
| | - Alina Sadchenko
- University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice, Faculty of Fisheries and Protection of Waters, South Bohemian Research Centre of Aquaculture and Biodiversity of Hydrocenoses, Zátiší 728/II, 38925 Vodňany, Czech Republic
| | - Alica Chroňáková
- Institute of Soil Biology and Biogeochemistry, Biology Centre CAS, Na Sádkách 7, 37005 České Budějovice, Czech Republic
| | - Roman Grabic
- University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice, Faculty of Fisheries and Protection of Waters, South Bohemian Research Centre of Aquaculture and Biodiversity of Hydrocenoses, Zátiší 728/II, 38925 Vodňany, Czech Republic
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Sarvi M, Kainulainen A, Malk V, Kaseva J, Rasa K. Industrial pilot scale slow pyrolysis reduces the content of organic contaminants in sewage sludge. WASTE MANAGEMENT (NEW YORK, N.Y.) 2023; 171:95-104. [PMID: 37651946 DOI: 10.1016/j.wasman.2023.08.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2023] [Revised: 08/06/2023] [Accepted: 08/22/2023] [Indexed: 09/02/2023]
Abstract
Pyrolysis has been gaining global interest as a viable option for reducing organic contaminant levels in waste materials such as sewage sludge (SS) for their subsequent use as a soil amendment. However, publicly available knowledge on the capacity of pyrolysis to reduce the levels in SSs is mostly based on laboratory or bench scale studies. The aim of this study was to examine the effects of industrial pilot scale slow pyrolysis at two temperatures and retention times (450 °C, 1 h and 500 °C, 1.5 h) on a wide range of organic and inorganic contaminants in SSs. Pyrolysis at 500 °C decreased the concentrations of the detected per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs, by 30-93 %), brominated diphenyl ethers (BDEs; by 97-98 %) and most endocrine disrupting compounds (EDCs, by 82-96 %) more efficiently than pyrolysis at 450 °C. Estrone and pharmaceuticals, with the exception of paracetamol, were removed to below quantification limits. Non-volatile inorganic contaminants concentrated to the chars (22-46 % increase). These results confirm that slow pyrolysis has the capacity to significantly reduce organic contaminant levels in SSs at an industrial scale, while content of inorganic contaminants depends mainly on the feedstock properties. Pyrolysis temperature of over 500 °C is advised to secure efficient removal of organic contaminants. However, it is anticipated that reactor design with good heat transfer and volatile removal could further improve the removal of organic contaminants from SSs. The results are especially valuable for sludge management operators planning to procure a pyrolysis plant.
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Affiliation(s)
- Minna Sarvi
- Natural Resources Institute Finland (Luke), Tietotie 4, FI-31600 Jokioinen, Finland.
| | - Aino Kainulainen
- Helsinki Region Environmental Services Authority HSY, Ilmalantori 1, FI-00240, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Vuokko Malk
- South-Eastern Finland University of Applied Sciences (Xamk), Patteristonkatu 2, FI-50100 Mikkeli, Finland
| | - Janne Kaseva
- Natural Resources Institute Finland (Luke), Tietotie 4, FI-31600 Jokioinen, Finland
| | - Kimmo Rasa
- Natural Resources Institute Finland (Luke), Tietotie 4, FI-31600 Jokioinen, Finland
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Mascellani A, Mercl F, Kurhan S, Pierdona L, Kudrna J, Zemanova V, Hnilicka F, Kloucek P, Tlustos P, Havlik J. Biochemical and physiological changes in Zea mays L. after exposure to the environmental pharmaceutical pollutant carbamazepine. CHEMOSPHERE 2023; 329:138689. [PMID: 37059200 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2023.138689] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2022] [Revised: 04/06/2023] [Accepted: 04/12/2023] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
The presence of pharmaceuticals in the environment is a matter of great concern. They are consistently found in the environment, raising concerns regarding human exposure through dietary intake. In this study, we observed the effect of the application of carbamazepine at 0.1, 1, 10, and 1000 μg per kg of soil contamination levels to assess stress metabolism in Zea mays L. cv. Ronaldinio at the 4th leaf, tasselling, and dent phenological stages. The transfer of carbamazepine to the aboveground and root biomass was assessed, and uptake increased dose-dependently. No direct effect on biomass production was observed, but multiple physiological and chemical changes were observed. Major effects were consistently observed at the 4th leaf phenological stage for all contamination levels, including reduced photosynthetic rate, reduced maximal and potential activity of photosystem II, decreased water potential, decreased carbohydrates (glucose and fructose) and γ-aminobutyric acid in roots, and increased maleic acid and phenylpropanoids (chlorogenic acid and its isomer, 5-O-caffeoylquinic acid) in aboveground biomass. A reduction in net photosynthesis was observed for the older phenological stages, whereas no other relevant and consistent physiological and metabolic changes related to contamination exposure were detected. Our results indicate that Z. mays can overcome the environmental stress caused by the accumulation of carbamazepine with notable metabolic changes at the early phenological stage; however, older plants adapted and only exhibited minor effects in the presence of the contaminant. The potential implications for agricultural practice could be associated with the plant's response to simultaneous stresses due to metabolite changes associated with oxidative stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Mascellani
- Department of Food Science, Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Kamycka 129, 165 00, Prague, Suchdol, Czech Republic
| | - Filip Mercl
- Department of Agro-Environmental Chemistry and Plant Nutrition, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Kamycka 129, 165 00, Prague, Suchdol, Czech Republic
| | - Sebnem Kurhan
- Department of Food Science, Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Kamycka 129, 165 00, Prague, Suchdol, Czech Republic
| | - Lorenzo Pierdona
- Department of Agro-Environmental Chemistry and Plant Nutrition, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Kamycka 129, 165 00, Prague, Suchdol, Czech Republic
| | - Jiri Kudrna
- Department of Botany and Plant Physiology, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Kamycka 129, 165 00, Prague, Suchdol, Czech Republic
| | - Veronika Zemanova
- Department of Agro-Environmental Chemistry and Plant Nutrition, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Kamycka 129, 165 00, Prague, Suchdol, Czech Republic
| | - Frantisek Hnilicka
- Department of Botany and Plant Physiology, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Kamycka 129, 165 00, Prague, Suchdol, Czech Republic
| | - Pavel Kloucek
- Department of Food Science, Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Kamycka 129, 165 00, Prague, Suchdol, Czech Republic
| | - Pavel Tlustos
- Department of Agro-Environmental Chemistry and Plant Nutrition, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Kamycka 129, 165 00, Prague, Suchdol, Czech Republic
| | - Jaroslav Havlik
- Department of Food Science, Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Kamycka 129, 165 00, Prague, Suchdol, Czech Republic.
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Kumar R, Whelan A, Cannon P, Sheehan M, Reeves L, Antunes E. Occurrence of emerging contaminants in biosolids in northern Queensland, Australia. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2023; 330:121786. [PMID: 37156436 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2023.121786] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2023] [Revised: 05/04/2023] [Accepted: 05/06/2023] [Indexed: 05/10/2023]
Abstract
This study aims to identify and quantify different classes of emerging contaminants (ECs), such as pharmaceutical and personal care products (PPCPs), per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), heavy metals (HMs), polycyclic musks (PMs) in biosolids from different sewage treatment plants (STPs) from regional councils across Northern Queensland, Australia. Biosolids samples were named BS1 to BS7 for each council. The results revealed significant variations in the concentrations of different ECs in biosolids which could be explained in some instances by the characteristics of the upstream sewage network. For instance, BS4-biosolids from a small agricultural shire (largely sugarcane) showed the highest concentration of zinc and copper, which were 2430 and 1050 mg/kg, respectively. Among PPCPs, the concentration of ciprofloxacin was found to be the highest in BS3 and BS5, two large regional council areas which are a mix of domestic and industrial (predominantly domestic) biosolids of 1010 and 1590 ng/g, respectively. In addition, the quantity of sertraline was consistently high in all biosolids except from BS7, one of the smaller regional councils, which is indicative of the domestic catchments attached. PFAS compounds were detected in all biosolids samples except in BS6, one of the small (agricultural and tourist) catchments. Two PFAS compounds emerged as the most common pollutants that were perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS). The largest industrial catchment biosolids, BS2 showed the highest concentration of PFOS at 253 ng/g, while the smallest regional council, BS7 showed the maximum concentration of 7.90 ng/g of PFOA. Overall, this study concludes that certain ECs such as HMs, antibiotics, PFOS and PFOA in biosolids may pose high environmental risks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ravinder Kumar
- College of Science & Engineering, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD 4811, Australia
| | - Anna Whelan
- College of Science & Engineering, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD 4811, Australia; Townsville City Council, Wastewater Operations, Townsville, QLD, 4810, Australia
| | | | - Madoc Sheehan
- College of Science & Engineering, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD 4811, Australia
| | - Louise Reeves
- Queensland Water Directorate, Brisbane, QLD, 4009, Australia
| | - Elsa Antunes
- College of Science & Engineering, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD 4811, Australia.
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Chen X, Cheng Z, Chen G, Yang Y, Sun P. Structural and antimicrobial property changes of veterinary antibiotics in thermal treatment. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2023; 316:120519. [PMID: 36347415 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2022.120519] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2022] [Revised: 10/20/2022] [Accepted: 10/21/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Agricultural application contributes major consumption of antibiotics worldwide. As veterinary antibiotics are poorly metabolized by animals, most of them end up in agricultural waste, which is increasingly subject to thermal treatment, such as torrefaction, pyrolysis, etc. However, there is a lack of research on their thermal decomposition mechanisms and products elucidation. Therefore, this study investigated the thermal decomposition of four major veterinary antibiotics groups (β-lactams, tetracyclines, fluoroquinolones, sulfonamides) with emphasis on their thermal stability, structural transformation and antibacterial activity. Results show that thermal treatment can remove the parent antibiotics with their antibacterial activity except for gatifloxacin (GAT). Although the parent form of GAT was fully removed at 200 °C, its products showed significant antibacterial activity against E. coli. We present novel evidence that the PhO-CH3 chemical bond on GAT preferentially brake to generate methyl radical, which underwent a substitution reaction at the para position of phenol. This reaction also occurred during the thermal decomposition of antibiotic analogues, balofloxacin and moxifloxacin, whose thermolysis products also showed significant antibacterial activity. Furthermore, these thermolysis products may present potentially cardiotoxic and pose higher risks to human health than their parent forms, based on the comparison with a group of drugs withdrawn from the market.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xi Chen
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin, 300072, China
| | - Zhanjun Cheng
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin, 300072, China
| | - Guanyi Chen
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin, 300072, China; Tianjin Key Lab of Biomass/Wastes Utilization, Tianjin University, Tianjin, 300350, China; School of Mechanical Engineering, Tianjin University of Commerce, Tianjin, 300134, China
| | - Yongkui Yang
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin, 300072, China
| | - Peizhe Sun
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin, 300072, China.
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Freitas AM, Nair VD, Harris WG, Mosquera-Losada MR, Ferreiro-Domínguez N. Pyrolysis-induced phosphorus transformations for biosolids from diverse sources. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY 2023; 52:13-25. [PMID: 36353947 DOI: 10.1002/jeq2.20433] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2022] [Accepted: 10/31/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Biosolids have been long used as a soil amendment to promote nutrient recovery. The readily releasable forms of nutrients present in this biowaste, such as phosphorus (P), along with their over application, can be detrimental to the environment, causing eutrophication. Pyrolysis, the thermal decomposition of organic materials at elevated temperature and low oxygen, seems to be a promising strategy to lower P release from biowastes such as biosolids. We pyrolyzed biosolids from various treatments and locations (Florida and Illinois; Galicia, Spain; and São Paulo, Brazil) to convert to biochar. Our objectives were (a) to use solid-state assessments, such as X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy, and chemical assessments, such as water-soluble P (WSP), pH, Mehlich 3-extractable P (M3-P), total P (TP), and total Kjeldahl nitrogen, to evaluate changes caused by the conversion and (b) to compare P leaching potentials of biosolids and their corresponding biochars on two soils with varying P retention capacities. Pairwise comparisons indicated that biochar conversion significantly increased TP in the final material, but the absolute WSP decreased. However, M3-P remained the same after conversion to biochar. Cumulative P leached as a fraction of TP was greater for biosolids than their corresponding biochars. Two soils with contrasting P retention capacities predictably differed in P leaching behaviors as amended with biosolids and biochars. Differences suggest that future research could evaluate the efficacy of using mixtures of biosolids and biochar for a given soil to maintain soil fertility while reducing environmental P loss risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andressa Morato Freitas
- Soil, Water, and Ecosystem Sciences Dep., Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, Univ. of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Vimala D Nair
- Soil, Water, and Ecosystem Sciences Dep., Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, Univ. of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Willie G Harris
- Soil, Water, and Ecosystem Sciences Dep., Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, Univ. of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
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Zhang Q, Jekel M, Zhang Y, Ruhl AS. A quick test method for predicting the adsorption of organic micropollutants on activated carbon. WATER RESEARCH 2022; 226:119217. [PMID: 36257157 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2022.119217] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2022] [Revised: 09/30/2022] [Accepted: 10/05/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Controlling the contamination of water cycles with organic micropollutants (OMPs) has been targeted in many regions. Adsorption with activated carbon is an effective technology to remove OMPs from different water matrices. To efficiently design or operate the adsorption process, the adsorption of OMPs should be properly assessed, usually with time-consuming batch adsorption tests and sophisticated analyses. In this study, a quick adsorption test method has been developed by loading powdered activated carbon (PAC) into a syringe filter which can be used subsequently to filtrate the water sample in short time (<60 s). Treated wastewater was applied to compare the quick test method and conventional batch test regarding the adsorption of 14 frequently detected OMPs, the abatement of UV254, and changes in fractions of dissolved organic matter (DOM). Similar adsorption patterns of individual OMPs, total OMPs, and DOM fractions was found with two methods. UV254 can predict the removal of total OMPs and most individual OMPs in both methods. Both the abatement of UV254 or the removal of OMPs determined in the quick test led to a highly accurate prediction of OMP adsorption in the conventional adsorption tests. The novel quick test method thus could help operators and researchers quickly monitor the adsorption capacity of PAC products.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiqi Zhang
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing, PR China
| | - Martin Jekel
- Technische Universität Berlin, Water Quality Control, Straße des 17. Juni 135, 10623 Berlin, Germany
| | - Yongjun Zhang
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing, PR China.
| | - Aki Sebastian Ruhl
- Technische Universität Berlin, Water Quality Control, Straße des 17. Juni 135, 10623 Berlin, Germany; German Environment Agency (UBA), Schichauweg 58, 12307 Berlin, Germany.
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Buss W, Wurzer C, Bach M, Heberling J, Appel T, Gerber H, Mašek O. Highly efficient phosphorus recovery from sludge and manure biochars using potassium acetate pre-treatment. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2022; 314:115035. [PMID: 35436706 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2022.115035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2022] [Revised: 03/30/2022] [Accepted: 04/05/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Pyrolysis converts nutrient-rich residues (e.g., sewage sludge and manures) into biochar with low levels of organic contaminants and high nutrient contents. However, the availability of phosphorus (P) as one of the key nutrients in such biochar tends to be low and new approaches are needed to enhance P-availability. In this work we tested and optimised one such method, doping biomass prior to pyrolysis with potassium (K) as potassium acetate. The treatment worked effectively in both pyrolysis units tested (microscale and lab-scale, continuous unit) and all three feedstocks (two types of sewage sludges and swine manure). The most dramatic effect was observed in the microscale pyrolysis unit at 400 °C where 5% K doping increased the water-extractable P content 700-fold to 43% of total P. Of the added K, on average 90% was retained in biochar after pyrolysis of which ∼50% was water-extractable. The proposed method enables conversion of low-value residues into valuable resources with agronomically relevant total and available P and K levels. This approach does not require specialised equipment or process modifications and is therefore easy to implement and relatively cheap (∼US$ 60-80 t-1 treated feedstock). It can present an urgently required solution to fulfil regulatory requirements for P-recovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wolfram Buss
- Research School of Biology, Australian National University, 134 Linnaeus Way, 2601, Canberra, Australia; UK Biochar Research Centre, School of GeoSciences, University of Edinburgh, Crew Building, Alexander Crum Brown Road, EH9 3FF, Edinburgh, UK; Conversion Technologies of Biobased Resources, University of Hohenheim, Garbenstraße 9, 70599, Stuttgart, Germany.
| | - Christian Wurzer
- UK Biochar Research Centre, School of GeoSciences, University of Edinburgh, Crew Building, Alexander Crum Brown Road, EH9 3FF, Edinburgh, UK
| | | | | | - Thomas Appel
- University of Applied Sciences Bingen, Berlinstraße 109, 55411, Bingen, Germany
| | | | - Ondřej Mašek
- UK Biochar Research Centre, School of GeoSciences, University of Edinburgh, Crew Building, Alexander Crum Brown Road, EH9 3FF, Edinburgh, UK
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Winchell LJ, Ross JJ, Brose DA, Pluth TB, Fonoll X, Norton JW, Bell KY. High-temperature technology survey and comparison among incineration, pyrolysis, and gasification systems for water resource recovery facilities. WATER ENVIRONMENT RESEARCH : A RESEARCH PUBLICATION OF THE WATER ENVIRONMENT FEDERATION 2022; 94:e10715. [PMID: 35388572 PMCID: PMC9324225 DOI: 10.1002/wer.10715] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2021] [Revised: 03/15/2022] [Accepted: 03/22/2022] [Indexed: 05/13/2023]
Abstract
Solids from wastewater treatment undergo processing to reduce mass, minimize pathogens, and condition the products for specific end uses. However, costs and contaminant concerns (e.g., per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances [PFAS]) challenge traditional landfill and land application practices. Incineration can overcome these issues but has become complicated due to evolving emissions regulations, and it suffers from poor public perception. These circumstances are driving the re-emergence of pyrolysis and gasification technologies. A survey of suppliers was conducted to document differences with technologies. Both offer advantages over incineration with tailored production of a carbon-rich solid, currently less stringent air emission requirements, and lower flue gas flows requiring treatment. However, incineration more simply combines drying and thermal processing into one reactor. Equipment costs provided favor pyrolysis and gasification at lower capacities but converge with incineration at higher capacities. Long-term operational experience will confirm technology competitiveness and elucidate whether pyrolysis and gasification warrant widespread adoption. PRACTITIONER POINTS: Pyrolysis and gasification systems are gaining traction in the wastewater industry with several full-scale installations operating, in construction, or design Several advantages, but some disadvantages, are considered in comparison with incineration Organic contaminants, including PFAS, will undergo transformation and potentially complete mineralization through each process.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Dominic A. Brose
- Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater ChicagoCiceroIllinoisUSA
| | - Thaís B. Pluth
- Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater ChicagoCiceroIllinoisUSA
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Winchell LJ, Ross JJ, Brose DA, Pluth TB, Fonoll X, Norton JW, Bell KY. Pyrolysis and gasification at water resource recovery facilities: Status of the industry. WATER ENVIRONMENT RESEARCH : A RESEARCH PUBLICATION OF THE WATER ENVIRONMENT FEDERATION 2022; 94:e10701. [PMID: 35298843 PMCID: PMC9310861 DOI: 10.1002/wer.10701] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2021] [Revised: 02/18/2022] [Accepted: 02/24/2022] [Indexed: 05/13/2023]
Abstract
Wastewater treatment generates solids requiring subsequent processing. Costs and contaminant concerns (e.g., per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances [PFAS]) are challenging widely used landfilling and land application practices. These circumstances are partly driving the re-emergence of pyrolysis and gasification technologies along with beneficial reuse prospects of the char solid residual. Previously, technologies experienced operational challenges leading to revised configurations, such as directly coupling a thermal oxidizer to the reactor to destroy tar forming compounds. This paper provides an overview of pyrolysis and gasification technologies, characteristics of the char product, air emission considerations, and potential fate of PFAS and other pollutants through the systems. Results from a survey of viable suppliers illustrate differences in commercially available options. Additional research is required to validate performance over the long-term operation and confirm contaminant fate, which will help determine whether resurging interest in pyrolysis and gasification warrants widespread adoption. PRACTITIONER POINTS: Pyrolysis and gasification systems are re-emerging in the wastewater industry. Direct coupling of thermal oxidizers and other modifications offered by contemporary systems aim to overcome past failures. Process conditions when coupled with a thermal oxidizer will likely destroy most organic contaminants, including PFAS, but requires additional research. Three full-scale facilities recently operated, several in construction or design that will provide operating experience for widespread technology adoption consideration.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Dominic A. Brose
- Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater ChicagoCiceroIllinoisUSA
| | - Thaís B. Pluth
- Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater ChicagoCiceroIllinoisUSA
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Paul CS, Mercl F, Száková J, Tejnecký V, Tlustoš P. The role of low molecular weight organic acids in the release of phosphorus from sewage sludge-based biochar. ALL LIFE 2021. [DOI: 10.1080/26895293.2021.1932611] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Chandra Sekhar Paul
- Department of Agro-environmental Chemistry and Plant Nutrition, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Filip Mercl
- Department of Agro-environmental Chemistry and Plant Nutrition, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Jiřina Száková
- Department of Agro-environmental Chemistry and Plant Nutrition, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Václav Tejnecký
- Department of Soil Science and Soil Protection, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Pavel Tlustoš
- Department of Agro-environmental Chemistry and Plant Nutrition, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Prague, Czech Republic
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