1
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Liu S, Liu H, Zhu Y, Zhao H, Liu T, Lin Y, Shi H, Han Q, Wang X. Effect of separation pretreatment on environmental and economic performance of sludge resource utilization. BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY 2024; 404:130914. [PMID: 38823563 DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2024.130914] [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: 12/21/2023] [Revised: 05/28/2024] [Accepted: 05/29/2024] [Indexed: 06/03/2024]
Abstract
As a new technology for accurate utilization of sludge resources, sludge inorganic-organic matter separation (IOMS) has attracted wide attention. This study examined the impact of this pretreatment on environmental and economic performance of sludge composting and incineration using life cycle assessment (LCA) and whole life costing (WLC). LCA results indicated that IOMS pretreatment reduced the energy conservation and emission reduction (ECER) values of composting and incineration by 56 % and 76 %, respectively. Meanwhile, WLC exhibited that IOMS pretreatment could cut the break-even year of incineration from 11 years to 4 years. The combination of organic sludge incineration/composting with inorganic sludge sintering ceramsite reveals excellent environmental and economic performance. The application optimization hypothesis analysis of these two routes in various provinces of China indicates that Jiangsu has the greatest development potential and should become a major promotion region.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shiqi Liu
- School of Environment and Municipal Engineering, Tianjin Chengjian University, Tianjin 300384, China
| | - Hanqiao Liu
- School of Environment and Municipal Engineering, Tianjin Chengjian University, Tianjin 300384, China; School of Energy and Safety Engineering, Tianjin Chengjian University, Tianjin 300384, China
| | - Yuwen Zhu
- School of Energy and Safety Engineering, Tianjin Chengjian University, Tianjin 300384, China.
| | - Hailong Zhao
- State Key Joint Laboratory of Environment Simulation and Pollution Control (SKLESPC), School of Environment, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Tong Liu
- Faculty of Materials and Manufacturing, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing 100124, China
| | - Yanfei Lin
- School of Energy and Safety Engineering, Tianjin Chengjian University, Tianjin 300384, China
| | - Huizhen Shi
- School of Energy and Safety Engineering, Tianjin Chengjian University, Tianjin 300384, China
| | - Qianlong Han
- School of Energy and Safety Engineering, Tianjin Chengjian University, Tianjin 300384, China
| | - Xueke Wang
- Tianjin Enew Environmental Protection Engineering Co. Ltd, Tianjin 300403, China
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2
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Huang D, Wu Y, Zhang L, Tang Y, Liu C, Zhang R, Wang Y, Gao Y. Life cycle assessment of sewage sludge treatment and disposal technologies based on carbon emissions and environmental impacts. ENVIRONMENTAL TECHNOLOGY 2024:1-17. [PMID: 38820568 DOI: 10.1080/09593330.2024.2360232] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2024] [Accepted: 05/18/2024] [Indexed: 06/02/2024]
Abstract
This study aimed to create a comprehensive evaluation method for sewage sludge (SS) treatment and disposal technologies, considering carbon emission and environmental impacts. Life cycle assessment (LCA) were conducted on six SS treatment and disposal technologies in China. The assessments used the IPCC emission factor approach to calculate carbon emissions and the CML2001 method to determine environmental impact factors. Additionally, a colour-coded method was implemented to quantify the evaluation results. The study found that S1 (anaerobic digestion + land application) had the lowest carbon emissions and environmental impact, making it the optimal technology. The S1 scenario had carbon emissions of 669 kg CO2(t DS)-1 and environmental impacts of 5.20E-10. A sensitivity analysis was conducted to show the impacts of each unit in the six technologies on total carbon emissions and environmental impacts. The results showed that landfilling has a high sensitivity to carbon emissions and environmental impacts. Therefore, controlling greenhouse gases and toxic substances in sludge landfills is crucial for reducing carbon emissions and environmental pollution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diannan Huang
- School of Municipal and Environmental Engineering, Shenyang Jianzhu University, Shenyang, People's Republic of China
| | - Yuhan Wu
- School of Municipal and Environmental Engineering, Shenyang Jianzhu University, Shenyang, People's Republic of China
| | - Li Zhang
- School of Municipal and Environmental Engineering, Shenyang Jianzhu University, Shenyang, People's Republic of China
| | - Yulan Tang
- School of Municipal and Environmental Engineering, Shenyang Jianzhu University, Shenyang, People's Republic of China
| | - Chuang Liu
- School of Municipal and Environmental Engineering, Shenyang Jianzhu University, Shenyang, People's Republic of China
| | - Rongxin Zhang
- School of Municipal and Environmental Engineering, Shenyang Jianzhu University, Shenyang, People's Republic of China
| | - Yongyong Wang
- School of Municipal and Environmental Engineering, Shenyang Jianzhu University, Shenyang, People's Republic of China
| | - Yunan Gao
- School of Environmental and Chemical Engineering, Foshan University, Foshan, People's Republic of China
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3
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Singh DK, Garg A. Thermal hydrolysis of sewage sludge: Improvement in biogas generation and prediction of global warming potential. WASTE MANAGEMENT & RESEARCH : THE JOURNAL OF THE INTERNATIONAL SOLID WASTES AND PUBLIC CLEANSING ASSOCIATION, ISWA 2024; 42:51-58. [PMID: 37211809 DOI: 10.1177/0734242x231171044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
Anaerobic digestion (AD) is a prominent treatment method for the sludge produced from sewage treatment plants. Poor solid reduction and longer retention time are the main drawbacks of AD. Thermal hydrolysis (TH) is a potential pretreatment method for solubilization of sewage sludge (SS) solids thereby improving biogas production during AD post-treatment. In this study, the SS sample (total solids = 1.75 wt% and total chemical oxygen demand (COD) = 15,450 mg L-1) was subjected to TH pretreatment (temperature = 140-180°C and reaction time = 60 minutes) in a 0.7-L capacity stainless-steel high-pressure reactor. At a reaction temperature of 180°C, the maximum solid solubilization (total dissolved solids = 4652 mg L-1) and improved dewaterability (time to filter = 4.7 s.L g-1) were observed. The biochemical methane potential test results showed almost doubling of methane generation from 145 to 284 mL gCOD-1 after TH pretreatment at 180°C. The life cycle assessment approach was used to compare various SS treatment and disposal scenarios, two of which included hydrothermal pretreatment. The scenarios involving hydrothermal pretreatments showed the least global warming potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diwakar Kumar Singh
- Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
| | - Anurag Garg
- Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
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4
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Zhao Q, Ying H, Liu Y, Wang H, Xu J, Wang W, Ren J, Meng S, Wang N, Mu R, Wang S, Li J. Towards low energy-carbon footprint: Current versus potential P recovery paths in domestic wastewater treatment plants. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2023; 344:118653. [PMID: 37478716 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2023.118653] [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: 05/02/2023] [Revised: 07/11/2023] [Accepted: 07/15/2023] [Indexed: 07/23/2023]
Abstract
With the unprecedented exhaustion of natural phosphorus (P) resource and the high eutrophication potential of the associated-P discharge, P recovery from the domestic wastewater is a promising way and has been putting on agenda of wastewater industry. To address the concern of P resource recovery in an environmentally sustainable way is indispensable especially in the carbon neutrality-oriented wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs). Therefore, this review aims to offer a critical view and a holistic analysis of different P removal/recovery process in current WWTPs and more P reclaim options with the focus on the energy consumption and greenhouse gas (GHG) emission. Unlike P mostly flowing out in the planned/semi-planned P removal/recovery process in current WWTPs, P could be maximumly sequestered via the A-2B- centered process, direct reuse of P-bearing permeate from anaerobic membrane bioreactor, nano-adsorption combined with anaerobic membrane and electrochemical P recovery process. The A-2B- centered process, in which the anaerobic fixed bed reactor was designated for COD capture for energy efficiency while P was enriched and recovered with further P crystallization treating, exhibited the lowest specific energy consumption and GHG emission on the basis of P mass recovered. P resource management in WWTPs tends to incorporate issues related to environmental protection, energy efficiency, GHG emission and socio-economic benefits. This review offers a holistic view with regard to the paradigm shift from "simple P removal" to "P reuse/recovery" and offers in-depth insights into the possible directions towards the P-recovery in the "water-energy-resource-GHG nexus" plant.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qian Zhao
- School of Municipal and Environmental Engineering, Shandong Jianzhu University, 1000 Fengming Road, Jinan, 250101, China; Research Institute of Resources and Environmental Innovation, Shandong Jianzhu University, Jinan, 250101, China; Research Center for Urban Sewage Treatment and Resource Engineering Technology of Shandong Province, Jinan, 250101, China
| | - Hao Ying
- School of Municipal and Environmental Engineering, Shandong Jianzhu University, 1000 Fengming Road, Jinan, 250101, China
| | - Yu Liu
- Advanced Environmental Biotechnology Centre, Nanyang Environment and Water Research Institute, Nanyang Technological University, 1 Cleantech Loop, Singapore, 637141, Singapore; School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, 50 Nanyang Avenue, Singapore, 639798, Singapore.
| | - Hongbo Wang
- School of Municipal and Environmental Engineering, Shandong Jianzhu University, 1000 Fengming Road, Jinan, 250101, China; Research Institute of Resources and Environmental Innovation, Shandong Jianzhu University, Jinan, 250101, China; Research Center for Urban Sewage Treatment and Resource Engineering Technology of Shandong Province, Jinan, 250101, China.
| | - Jingtao Xu
- School of Municipal and Environmental Engineering, Shandong Jianzhu University, 1000 Fengming Road, Jinan, 250101, China; Research Institute of Resources and Environmental Innovation, Shandong Jianzhu University, Jinan, 250101, China; Research Center for Urban Sewage Treatment and Resource Engineering Technology of Shandong Province, Jinan, 250101, China
| | - Wei Wang
- Shandong Institute of Geological Sciences, Jinan, 250013, Shandong, China; Key Laboratory of Gold Mineralization Processes and Resources Utilization and Key Laboratory of Metallogenic-Geologic Processes and Comprehensive Utilization of Minerals Resources in Shandong Province, Jinan, 250013, China
| | - Juan Ren
- Jinan Urban Planning and Design Institute, Jinan, 250001, China
| | - Shujuan Meng
- School of Space and Environment, Beihang University, Beijing, 100191, China
| | - Ning Wang
- School of Municipal and Environmental Engineering, Shandong Jianzhu University, 1000 Fengming Road, Jinan, 250101, China; Research Institute of Resources and Environmental Innovation, Shandong Jianzhu University, Jinan, 250101, China; Research Center for Urban Sewage Treatment and Resource Engineering Technology of Shandong Province, Jinan, 250101, China
| | - Ruimin Mu
- School of Municipal and Environmental Engineering, Shandong Jianzhu University, 1000 Fengming Road, Jinan, 250101, China; Research Institute of Resources and Environmental Innovation, Shandong Jianzhu University, Jinan, 250101, China
| | - Shasha Wang
- Shandong Survey and Design Institute of Water Conservancy Co. LTD, Jinan, 250013, China
| | - Jingjing Li
- School of Municipal and Environmental Engineering, Shandong Jianzhu University, 1000 Fengming Road, Jinan, 250101, China; Research Institute of Resources and Environmental Innovation, Shandong Jianzhu University, Jinan, 250101, China; Research Center for Urban Sewage Treatment and Resource Engineering Technology of Shandong Province, Jinan, 250101, China
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5
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Zaki M, Rowles LS, Adjeroh DA, Orner KD. A Critical Review of Data Science Applications in Resource Recovery and Carbon Capture from Organic Waste. ACS ES&T ENGINEERING 2023; 3:1424-1467. [PMID: 37854077 PMCID: PMC10580293 DOI: 10.1021/acsestengg.3c00043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2023] [Revised: 09/11/2023] [Accepted: 09/11/2023] [Indexed: 10/20/2023]
Abstract
Municipal and agricultural organic waste can be treated to recover energy, nutrients, and carbon through resource recovery and carbon capture (RRCC) technologies such as anaerobic digestion, struvite precipitation, and pyrolysis. Data science could benefit such technologies by improving their efficiency through data-driven process modeling along with reducing environmental and economic burdens via life cycle assessment (LCA) and techno-economic analysis (TEA), respectively. We critically reviewed 616 peer-reviewed articles on the use of data science in RRCC published during 2002-2022. Although applications of machine learning (ML) methods have drastically increased over time for modeling RRCC technologies, the reviewed studies exhibited significant knowledge gaps at various model development stages. In terms of sustainability, an increasing number of studies included LCA with TEA to quantify both environmental and economic impacts of RRCC. Integration of ML methods with LCA and TEA has the potential to cost-effectively investigate the trade-off between efficiency and sustainability of RRCC, although the literature lacked such integration of techniques. Therefore, we propose an integrated data science framework to inform efficient and sustainable RRCC from organic waste based on the review. Overall, the findings from this review can inform practitioners about the effective utilization of various data science methods for real-world implementation of RRCC technologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammed
T. Zaki
- Wadsworth
Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, West Virginia University, Morgantown, West Virginia 26505, United States
| | - Lewis S. Rowles
- Department
of Civil Engineering and Construction, Georgia
Southern University, Statesboro, Georgia 30458, United States
| | - Donald A. Adjeroh
- Lane
Department of Computer Science and Electrical Engineering, West Virginia University, Morgantown, West Virginia 26505, United States
| | - Kevin D. Orner
- Wadsworth
Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, West Virginia University, Morgantown, West Virginia 26505, United States
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6
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Xie J, Zhuge X, Liu X, Zhang Q, Liu Y, Sun P, Zhao Y, Tong Y. Environmental sustainability opportunity and socio-economic cost analyses of phosphorus recovery from sewage sludge. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND ECOTECHNOLOGY 2023; 16:100258. [PMID: 36941883 PMCID: PMC10024106 DOI: 10.1016/j.ese.2023.100258] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2022] [Revised: 02/21/2023] [Accepted: 02/21/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Although phosphorus (P) recovery and management from sewage sludge are practiced in North America and Europe, such practices are not yet to be implemented in China. Here, we evaluated the environmental sustainability opportunity and socio-economic costs of recovering P from sewage sludge by replacing the current-day treatments (CT; sludge treatment and landfill) and P chemical fertilizer application (CF) in China using life cycle assessment and life cycle costing methods. Three potential P recovery scenarios (PR1‒PR3: struvite, vivianite, and treated sludge) and corresponding current-day scenarios (CT1‒CT3 and CF) were considered. Results indicated that PR1 and PR2 have smaller environmental impacts than the current-day scenarios, whereas PR3 has larger impacts in most categories. PR3 has the lowest net costs (sum of internal costs and benefits, 39.1-54.7 CNY per kg P), whereas PR2 has the lowest external costs (366.8 CNY per kg P). Societal costs for production and land use of 1 kg P by P recovery from sewage sludge (e.g., ∼527 CNY for PR1) are much higher than those of P chemical fertilizers (∼20 CNY for CF). However, considering the costs in the current-day treatments (e.g., ∼524 CNY for CT1), societal costs of P recovery scenarios are close to or slightly lower than those of current-day scenarios. Among the three P recovery scenarios, we found that recovering struvite as P fertilizer has the highest societal feasibility. This study will provide valuable information for improved sewage sludge management and will help promote the sustainable supply of P in China.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiawen Xie
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin, 300072, China
| | - Xingchen Zhuge
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin, 300072, China
| | - Xixi Liu
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin, 300072, China
| | - Qian Zhang
- Robert M. Buchan Department of Mining, Queen's University, Kingston, K7L 3N6, Canada
| | - Yiwen Liu
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin, 300072, China
| | - Peizhe Sun
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin, 300072, China
| | - Yingxin Zhao
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin, 300072, China
| | - Yindong Tong
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin, 300072, China
- School of Science, Tibet University, Lhasa, 850012, China
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7
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Zhao Y, Yang Z, Niu J, Du Z, Federica C, Zhu Z, Yang K, Li Y, Zhao B, Pedersen TH, Liu C, Emmanuel M. Systematical analysis of sludge treatment and disposal technologies for carbon footprint reduction. J Environ Sci (China) 2023; 128:224-249. [PMID: 36801037 DOI: 10.1016/j.jes.2022.07.038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2022] [Revised: 07/22/2022] [Accepted: 07/29/2022] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
This study aims to comprehensively analyze the Greenhouse Gases (GHGs) emissions from current sewage sludge treatment and disposal technologies (building material, landfill, land spreading, anaerobic digestion, and thermochemical processes) based on the database of Science Citation Index (SCI) and Social Science Citation Index (SSCI) from 1998 to 2020. The general patterns, spatial distribution, and hotspots were provided by bibliometric analysis. A comparative quantitative analysis based on life cycle assessment (LCA) put forward the current emission situation and the key influencing factors of different technologies. The effective GHG emissions reduction methods were proposed to mitigate climate change. Results showed that incineration or building materials manufacturing of highly dewatered sludge, and land spreading after anaerobic digestion have the best GHG emissions reduction benefits. Biological treatment technologies and thermochemical processes have great potential for reducing GHGs. Enhancement of pretreatment effect, co-digestion, and new technologies (e.g., injection of carbon dioxide, directional acidification) are major approaches to facilitate substitution emissions in sludge anaerobic digestion. The relationship between the quality and efficiency of secondary energy in thermochemical process and GHGs emission still needs further study. Solid sludge products generated by bio-stabilization or thermochemical processes are considered to have a certain carbon sequestration value and can improve the soil environment to control GHG emissions. The findings are useful for future development and processes selection of sludge treatment and disposal facing carbon footprint reduction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yingxin Zhao
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300350, China.
| | - Zhifan Yang
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300350, China; Tianjin Municipal Engineering Design & Research Institute Co., Ltd., Tianjin 300380, China
| | - Jiaojiao Niu
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300350, China
| | - Zihan Du
- Tianjin International Engineering Institute, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China
| | - Conti Federica
- Department of Energy Technology, Aalborg University, Aalborg 9220, Denmark
| | - Zhe Zhu
- School of Environmental Science and Safety Engineering, Tianjin University of Technology, Tianjin 300384, China
| | - Kaichao Yang
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300350, China
| | - Yan Li
- Energy Research Institute of Shandong Academy of Sciences, Jinan 250014, China
| | - Baofeng Zhao
- Energy Research Institute of Shandong Academy of Sciences, Jinan 250014, China
| | | | - Chunguang Liu
- Shandong Kailin environmental protection equipment Co., Ltd., Heze 274000, China
| | - Mutabazi Emmanuel
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300350, China
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8
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Lombardi L, Tuci F, Śliz M, Czerwińska K, Fabrizi S, Wilk M. Life cycle assessment of the hydrothermal carbonization process applied to the wet fraction mechanically separated from municipal mixed waste. WASTE MANAGEMENT (NEW YORK, N.Y.) 2023; 166:181-193. [PMID: 37172519 DOI: 10.1016/j.wasman.2023.04.043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2022] [Revised: 04/20/2023] [Accepted: 04/23/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
The under-sieve fraction (USF), obtained as one of the output streams from the mechanical pretreatment of mixed municipal solid waste, is usually aerobically biologically stabilized before being landfilled. For its characteristics (i.e., moisture and organic content), the USF can be alternatively processed by hydrothermal carbonization (HTC), producing hydrochar to be used for energy production. Based on previous results obtained from laboratory HTC tests of the USF, this work is aimed at evaluating the sustainability of the proposed process from an environmental point of view by applying the Life Cycle Assessment. Various combinations of process parameters (temperature, time, and dry solid-to-water ratios) and two different utilization pathways for hydrochar (the whole amount produced in external lignite power plants or part of it used internally) are compared. The results indicate that environmental performances are mainly connected with process energy consumption: in general, the cases operating at the lowest dilution ratio and the highest temperature provide improved environmental indicators. Co-combusting all the produced hydrochar in external power plants provides better environmental performances than feeding a portion of it to the HTC itself: the avoided effects by displacing lignite are higher than the additional burdens from natural gas use. Then, alternative process water treatments are compared, showing that the burdens added by the process water treatments do not offset the benefits generated by the main HTC process for the major part of the considered environmental indicators. Finally, the proposed process indicates better environmental performances when compared to the conventional method of treating the USF, based on aerobic biostabilization and landfilling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lidia Lombardi
- Niccolò Cusano University of Rome, Via Don Carlo Gnocchi 3, 00166 Rome, Italy.
| | - Francesca Tuci
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Florence, Via Santa Marta 3, 50139 Florence, Italy
| | - Maciej Śliz
- AGH University of Science and Technology, Mickiewicza 30 Av., 30-059 Krakow, Poland
| | - Klaudia Czerwińska
- AGH University of Science and Technology, Mickiewicza 30 Av., 30-059 Krakow, Poland
| | - Simone Fabrizi
- Niccolò Cusano University of Rome, Via Don Carlo Gnocchi 3, 00166 Rome, Italy
| | - Małgorzata Wilk
- AGH University of Science and Technology, Mickiewicza 30 Av., 30-059 Krakow, Poland
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9
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Bandeira FO, Lodi MR, Graciani TS, Oroski S, Mattias JL, Cardoso EJBN, Alves PRL. The use of sewage sludge as remediation for imidacloprid toxicity in soils. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2023; 30:20159-20167. [PMID: 36251199 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-022-23584-7] [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: 06/14/2022] [Accepted: 10/08/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
This study investigated the influence of the sewage sludge (SS) soil amendment on the chronic toxicity of imidacloprid (through the seed dressing formulation MUCH 600 FS®-600 g active ingredient L-1) to collembolans Folsomia candida. Individuals 10-12 days old were exposed to two contrasting tropical soils (Oxisol and Entisol) amended with SS doses (0, 20, 40, 80, 160, and 320 g SS kg-1 soil; the SS doses have low intrinsic toxicity, which was checked before its application) in a full factorial combination with five imidacloprid concentrations (varying from 0.25 to 4 mg kg-1 in Oxisol and 0.03-0.5 mg kg-1 in Entisol) plus a control. None of the SS doses (without imidacloprid) in both soils reduced the number of generated juvenile collembolans. The imidacloprid concentrations reducing the collembolan reproduction in 50% (EC50) in Oxisol and Entisol without SS were 0.49 and 0.08 mg kg-1, respectively. However, the EC50 values generally increased with increasing SS doses in soils, varying from 1.03 to 1.41 in Oxisol and 0.07 to 0.21 in Entisol. The SS-amended soils showed 2.1- to 2.9-fold lower imidacloprid toxicity (EC50-based) in Oxisol and 1.8- to 2.7-fold lower toxicity in Entisol. Our results suggest the most effective SS doses alleviating the imidacloprid toxicity (EC50-based) to collembolans are 20 g kg-1 in Oxisol and 80 g kg-1 in Entisol. These results indicate that the tested SS has the potential to be employed as a soil amendment agent by reducing the toxicity of imidacloprid to the reproduction of F. candida.
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Affiliation(s)
- Felipe Ogliari Bandeira
- Department of Soil Science, Santa Catarina State University, 88520-000 Lages, Av. Luis de Camões, SC, 2090, Brazil
| | - Mikael Renan Lodi
- Universidade Federal da Fronteira Sul, Av. Fernando Machado 108 E, Chapecó, SC, 89802112, Brazil
| | | | - Sabrina Oroski
- Universidade Federal da Fronteira Sul, Av. Fernando Machado 108 E, Chapecó, SC, 89802112, Brazil
| | - Jorge Luis Mattias
- Universidade Federal da Fronteira Sul, Av. Fernando Machado 108 E, Chapecó, SC, 89802112, Brazil
| | | | - Paulo Roger Lopes Alves
- Universidade Federal da Fronteira Sul, Av. Fernando Machado 108 E, Chapecó, SC, 89802112, Brazil.
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10
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Zhou H, Wei L, Wang D, Zhang W. Environmental impacts and optimizing strategies of municipal sludge treatment and disposal routes in China based on life cycle analysis. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2022; 166:107378. [PMID: 35780685 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2022.107378] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2022] [Revised: 06/22/2022] [Accepted: 06/23/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
The management and utilization of sludge in a sustainable approach require a systematic analysis of the environmental impacts generated from diverse sludge treatment and disposal processes. This study systematically assessed 12 common sludge treatment and disposal routes based on the existing operating and construction conditions of representative sludge disposal projects in China. We evaluated their environmental impacts using a life cycle assessment following the International Organization for Standardization (ISO 14040 and ISO 14044), and found that the routes of co-incineration, mono-incineration, and anaerobic digestion with or without thermal hydrolysis may be useful in terms of simultaneously controlling environmental pollution and carbon emissions in China. Therein, the route of co-incineration was recommended as the best one because its human toxicity potential (-152.31 kg dichlorobenzene (1,4-DB) eq/ton dry solid (t DS)), freshwater ecotoxicity potential (FEP, -127.40 kg 1,4-DB eq/t DS), terrestrial ecotoxicity potential (TEP, -0.81 kg 1,4-DB eq/t DS), and global warming potential (-27.26 kg CO2 eq/t DS) were all negative (environmental benefits). Furthermore, the toxicity impacts of the mono-incineration route were also negative, but it still needed to further enhance energy recovery to reduce carbon emissions. Despite the routes of anaerobic digestion and thermal hydrolysis in combination with anaerobic digestion had the excellent negative carbon emission attributes (-572.44 kg CO2 eq/t DS, -474.92 kg CO2 eq/t DS), they showed serious FEP and TEP owing to the heavy metals pollution caused by subsequent land use of anaerobic digested sludge. Overall, this study selected the most suitable sludge treatment and disposal routes to simultaneously satisfy the requirements of carbon emission reduction and pollution control in China and proposed optimizing suggestions for future technical improvement and development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hao Zhou
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Yangtze Catchment Environmental Aquatic Science, School of Environmental Studies, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, Hubei, China; State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Source Apportionment and Control of Aquatic Pollution, Ministry of Ecology and Environment, China
| | - Liangliang Wei
- State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resources and Environment, School of Environment, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150090, Heilongjiang, China.
| | - Dongsheng Wang
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Yangtze Catchment Environmental Aquatic Science, School of Environmental Studies, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, Hubei, China; Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China
| | - Weijun Zhang
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Yangtze Catchment Environmental Aquatic Science, School of Environmental Studies, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, Hubei, China; State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Source Apportionment and Control of Aquatic Pollution, Ministry of Ecology and Environment, China.
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11
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Mannarino G, Caffaz S, Gori R, Lombardi L. Environmental Life Cycle Assessment of Hydrothermal Carbonization of Sewage Sludge and Its Products Valorization Pathways. WASTE AND BIOMASS VALORIZATION 2022; 13:3845-3864. [PMID: 35729890 PMCID: PMC9189798 DOI: 10.1007/s12649-022-01821-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2021] [Accepted: 05/10/2022] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
ABSTRACT This study is aimed at evaluating through Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) the environmental performances of an integrated system of an existing Water Resources Recovery Facility (WRRF) and a hypothetical hydrothermal carbonization (HTC) plant applied to the generated sewage sludge (SS). Beside the valorisation of the solid product (hydrochar, HC) as a fuel substituting lignite, the possibility to valorize also the liquid fraction (process water, PW) derived by the HTC, by anaerobic digestion to produce biogas, is here proposed and analysed. Additionally, phosphorus recovery from HC, prior its use, by acid leaching with nitric acid is also suggested and evaluated. Thus, four integrated scenarios, based on SS carbonization, are proposed and compared with the current SS treatment, based on composting outside of the WRRF (Benchmark scenario). The proposed scenarios, based on HTC, show improved performances with respect to the benchmark one, for thirteen of sixteen considered impact indicators. For the Climate Change (CC) indicator, the two HTC scenarios are able to reduce the impacts up to - 98%, with respect to the Benchmark. Further, the introduction of anaerobic digestion of PW proves to reduce impacts more than other configurations in eleven on sixteen impact categories. On the contrary, the introduction of phosphorus recovery process negatively affects the values for most of indicators. Thus, possible solutions to improve the integration of this process are outlined (e.g., the use of sulfuric acid instead of nitric one, or the application of a different ratio between solid and acidified solution during acid leaching of HC to recover phosphorus). SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s12649-022-01821-x.
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Affiliation(s)
- G. Mannarino
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Florence, via di S. Marta 3, 50139 Florence, Italy
| | - S. Caffaz
- Publiacqua SpA, Via Villamagna 90/c, 50126 Florence, Italy
| | - R. Gori
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Florence, via di S. Marta 3, 50139 Florence, Italy
| | - L. Lombardi
- Niccolò Cusano University, Via Don Carlo Gnocchi, 3, 00166 Rome, Italy
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12
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Sustainable Sewage Sludge Management Technologies Selection Based on Techno-Economic-Environmental Criteria: Case Study of Croatia. ENERGIES 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/en15113941] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/10/2022]
Abstract
The management and disposal of sewage sludge is becoming a growing concern at the global level. In the past, the main goal was to completely eliminate sewage sludge since it was deemed a threat to humans and the environment, but recently different possibilities for energy generation and material recovery are emerging. Existing technologies such as incineration or direct application in agriculture contribute to quantity reduction and nutrient recovery but are unable to fully exploit the potential of sewage sludge within the frameworks of circular economy and bioeconomy. This paper developed a model within the PROMETHEE method, which analyses technologies for the sustainable management of sewage sludge, which could make the most from it. For the empirical part of the study, the Republic of Croatia was used as a country in which sewage sludge is increasing in quantity as a result of recent upgrades and expansions in the wastewater system. Incineration, gasification, anaerobic digestion, and nutrient recovery were analyzed as treatment concepts for the increased amounts of sewage sludge. The model reveals that the best solution is the material recovery of sewage sludge, using the struvite production pathway through analysis of selected criteria.
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13
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Evaluation of the Use of Sewage Sludge Biochar as a Soil Amendment—A Review. SUSTAINABILITY 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/su14095309] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
In recent decades, minimization and recycling/reuse policies were introduced to reduce the quantities of generated waste and for alternative waste recovery. Organic wastes represent 46% of total global solid waste. Possible uses of organic wastes include using it as fertilizer and amendment for soil, for energy recovery and for the production of chemical substances. Sewage sludge disposal and reuse are identified as future problems concerning waste. The total amount of sludge generated in the entire world has increased dramatically, and this tendency is expected to increase significantly in the years to come. In most developed countries, special attention is given to sewage sludge treatment in order to improve the quality and safety of using it on the ground surface. Sewage sludge pyrolysis is considered an acceptable method, from an economic and ecological perspective, for the beneficial reuse of sewage sludge. This method has many advantages because, during the pyrolysis process, the sludge volume is reduced by 80%, pathogenic agents and hazardous compounds from sewage sludge are eliminated, metals are immobilized in solid residue and organic and inorganic fractions are immobilized in a stabilized form of pyrolytic residues (biochar). The biochar generated by sewage sludge pyrolysis does not contain pathogenic agents and is rich in carbon and nutrients.
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14
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Leveraging Life Cycle Assessment to Better Promote the Circular Economy: A First Step Using the Concept of Opportunity Cost. SUSTAINABILITY 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/su14063451] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
In economics, opportunity cost is defined as the benefit foregone by choosing another course of action. Considering opportunity costs enables the improved handling of trade-offs to better support strategic decision-making. We introduce the concept of opportunity cost into life cycle assessment (LCA). In our framework, opportunity cost extends the system expansion paradigm to support better alignment with a circular economy (CE). Opportunity cost thinking is considered to be most useful for the efficient allocation of scarce economic capital for the creation of economic value. In the environmental domain, we use such thinking to account for the implications of ‘wasting waste’. In this paper, we consider a case of treated wastewater sludge being used as a source of nutrients as a vehicle to study the points at which LCA can support a CE. Our conclusions, however, have wider repercussions because there are many more situations in which product systems are analytically demarcated from the web of connections in which they are embedded.
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15
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Zhou X, Li J, Zhao X, Yang J, Sun H, Yang SS, Bai S. Resource recovery in life cycle assessment of sludge treatment: Contribution, sensitivity, and uncertainty. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 806:150409. [PMID: 34599953 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.150409] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2021] [Revised: 09/09/2021] [Accepted: 09/13/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
This study focused on the resource recovery of sludge treatment by quantifying the environmental contributions, identifying the influential factors, and comparing different scenarios. Life cycle assessment (LCA) of sewage sludge treatment was carried out to estimate the environmental impacts of six scenarios: (1) co-digestion of sludge and food waste; (2) co-gasification of sludge and woody waste; (3) co-incineration of sludge and used oil; (4) landfilling; (5) incineration; and (6) anaerobic digestion combined with incineration. Results demonstrate that the resource recovery had a substantial contribution to the environmental performance of the sludge treatment, while the degree of contribution was largely affected by various treatment scenarios and diverse impact categories. To gain deep insight into the parameters related to resource recovery, sensitivity analysis was performed to investigate the influence of the parameters on the LCA results, including the organic content, conversion efficiency of organic matter to methane, and other energy conversion efficiencies. After integrating the inventory variation of those parameters into the decision process via the Monte Carlo simulation, results indicate that no obviously superior scenario could be identified. Conversely, when parameter uncertainty was not considered, co-gasification of sludge and woody waste exhibited the most preferable environmental performance. Overall, this study demonstrates that considering the parameter uncertainty of resource recovery will contribute to a more transparent evaluation process, but will inevitably increase the complexity of the decision-making process based on LCA results because it is difficult to determine a sludge treatment scenario that decisively outperforms the others.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xue Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and Environment, School of Environment, Harbin Institute of Technology, 150090 Harbin, China
| | - Jing Li
- China Academy of Urban Planning and Design, 100044 Beijing, China
| | - Xinyue Zhao
- College of Resource and Environment, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, China
| | - Jixian Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and Environment, School of Environment, Harbin Institute of Technology, 150090 Harbin, China
| | - Hongliang Sun
- Changchun Municipal Engineering Design & Research Institute, 130033 Changchun, China
| | - Shan-Shan Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and Environment, School of Environment, Harbin Institute of Technology, 150090 Harbin, China
| | - Shunwen Bai
- State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and Environment, School of Environment, Harbin Institute of Technology, 150090 Harbin, China.
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16
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Sewage Sludge as N-Fertilizers for Crop Production Enabling the Circular Bioeconomy in Agriculture: A Challenge for the New EU Regulation 1009/2019. SUSTAINABILITY 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/su132313165] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The fertilizer framework in the European Union has recently been reviewed by EU Regulation 1009/2019 that excluded sewage sludge from the list of the possible constituents of organic fertilizers relying on their origin, not on their quality. This paper aimed to carry out a complete characterization of sewage sludge obtained from a pharmaceutical manufacturing process (PDSS) to demonstrate that sewage sludge obtained from a standardized and controlled manufacturing process can be safely recycled as organic fertilizer. The agronomic and environmental characteristics of the PDSS product were analyzed and compared to other organic fertilizers. Its fertilizing potential was also evaluated through plant growth trials. PDSS was characterized by a high concentration of total N (6.6% w/w), which was all present in organic form. PDSS also showed a low concentration of heavy metals, an absence of pathogens and low concentrations of organic contaminants. Plant growth trials showed that the PDSS was able to improve lettuce and carrot growth (+25 and +46% of dry weight compared to the unfertilized control), as well as their physiological status. Considering all the results, the exclusion of sewage sludge relying only on its origin and not on its quality appears to conflict with the principles of the circular bioeconomy.
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17
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Aleisa E, Alsulaili A, Almuzaini Y. Recirculating treated sewage sludge for agricultural use: Life cycle assessment for a circular economy. WASTE MANAGEMENT (NEW YORK, N.Y.) 2021; 135:79-89. [PMID: 34478951 DOI: 10.1016/j.wasman.2021.08.035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2021] [Revised: 08/06/2021] [Accepted: 08/25/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
The objective of this study is to assess the environmental value of recirculating nutrients from treated sewage sludge by application to agricultural soils to grow forage as opposed to landfilling and incineration. The methodological choices are aligned to the circular economy framework using life cycle assessment. Consequential modeling and open loop modeling were adopted and adhere to ISO 14044 and International Reference Life Cycle Data System (ILCD) standards. The functional unit is defined in terms of the amounts of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) recirculated from the treated sewage sludge produced annually in Kuwait. The results indicate a reduction in environmental burden with respect to fossil fuel depletion, metal depletion and climate change. A total of 95% of the reduction is realized by avoiding virgin nitrogen production and instead using its recirculated counterpart. Considerable amounts of natural gas, coal, dinitrogen monoxide (nitrous oxide, N2O) and copper are consumed during virgin N fertilizer production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Esra Aleisa
- Industrial and Management Systems Eng, Kuwait University, Safat 13060, Kuwait; Graduate Program for Environmental Sciences, Kuwait University, Safat 13060, Kuwait.
| | - Abdalrahman Alsulaili
- Center of Engineering, Laboratory testing and Calibration, Kuwait University, Safat 13060, Kuwait; Department of Civil Engineering, Kuwait University, Safat 13060, Kuwait.
| | - Yasmeen Almuzaini
- Department of Civil Engineering, Kuwait University, Safat 13060, Kuwait
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18
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Camana D, Toniolo S, Manzardo A, Piron M, Scipioni A. Life cycle assessment applied to waste management in Italy: A mini-review of characteristics and methodological perspectives for local assessment. WASTE MANAGEMENT & RESEARCH : THE JOURNAL OF THE INTERNATIONAL SOLID WASTES AND PUBLIC CLEANSING ASSOCIATION, ISWA 2021; 39:1007-1026. [PMID: 33988038 DOI: 10.1177/0734242x211017979] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Life cycle assessment (LCA) and related tools are commonly used to evaluate the potential environmental impacts of waste treatment scenarios. This manuscript presents a mini-review of studies published over the last 10 years in Italy and aims to investigate how life cycle thinking tools are applied to assess the environmental sustainability of local-level waste policies. Results reveal that different waste flows, technologies and policies have been investigated independently and in varying detail. Review suggests that boundary selection significantly affects LCA results; integration of different waste systems is therefore crucial to avoid spatial or temporal shifts of environmental impacts. Moreover, the description of methodological characteristics, limitations and transversal aspects of Italian waste management studies allows various stakeholders to assess the reliability of past and future research for waste policy planning and rebound effects prevention. This review also highlights the need to define minimum requirements of transparency and ease of reporting of the studies to private and public stakeholders. Finally, the paper investigates whether using both the organisational LCA and the life cycle sustainability approach for the overall waste management process may be useful to develop a standard method to address multi-functionalities and multiple sites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniela Camana
- CESQA, Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Sara Toniolo
- CESQA, Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Alessandro Manzardo
- CESQA, Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Mirco Piron
- CESQA, Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Antonio Scipioni
- CESQA, Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
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19
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Asunis F, De Gioannis G, Francini G, Lombardi L, Muntoni A, Polettini A, Pomi R, Rossi A, Spiga D. Environmental life cycle assessment of polyhydroxyalkanoates production from cheese whey. WASTE MANAGEMENT (NEW YORK, N.Y.) 2021; 132:31-43. [PMID: 34304020 DOI: 10.1016/j.wasman.2021.07.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2021] [Revised: 06/30/2021] [Accepted: 07/10/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Cheese whey (CW) is the main by-product of the dairy industry and is often considered one of the main agro-industrial biowaste streams to handle, especially within the European Union, where the diary activities play an essential role in the agrarian economy. In the paper, Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) is used to analyse the feasibility of producing polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA) as the main output of an innovative CW valorisation route which is benchmarked against a conventional anaerobic digestion (AD) process. To this aim, the LCA inventory data are derived from lab-scale PHA accumulation tests performed on real CW, while data from the literature of concern are used for modelling both the PHA extraction from the accumulating biomass and for the alternative CW valorisation through AD. The comparison shows that AD would have better environmental performances than the baseline PHA production scenario. For example, the climate change indicator values result 44.8 and -35.7 kg CO2 eq./t CW for the baseline PHA recovery and AD, respectively. LCA proved to be a useful tool to highlight the weak points of innovative processes and suggest proper improvements. Once improved and again analysed through the LCA, the PHA production process from CW shows that environmental performance comparable to AD may be achieved. With reference, again, to the climate change indicator the value can be reduced to -50.3 kg CO2 eq./t CW for the improved PHA production process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabiano Asunis
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering and Architecture, University of Cagliari, Via Marengo 2, 09123 Cagliari, Italy
| | - Giorgia De Gioannis
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering and Architecture, University of Cagliari, Via Marengo 2, 09123 Cagliari, Italy; IGAG - CNR, Istituto di Geologia Ambientale e Geoingegneria - Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Piazza d'Armi, 09123 Cagliari, Italy
| | - Giovanni Francini
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Florence, Via Santa Marta 3, 50139 Florence, Italy
| | - Lidia Lombardi
- Niccolò Cusano University of Rome, Via Don Carlo Gnocchi 3, 00166 Rome, Italy.
| | - Aldo Muntoni
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering and Architecture, University of Cagliari, Via Marengo 2, 09123 Cagliari, Italy
| | - Alessandra Polettini
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Rome "La Sapienza", Via Eudossiana 18, 00184 Rome, Italy
| | - Raffaella Pomi
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Rome "La Sapienza", Via Eudossiana 18, 00184 Rome, Italy
| | - Andreina Rossi
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Rome "La Sapienza", Via Eudossiana 18, 00184 Rome, Italy
| | - Daniela Spiga
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering and Architecture, University of Cagliari, Via Marengo 2, 09123 Cagliari, Italy
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20
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Ding A, Zhang R, Ngo HH, He X, Ma J, Nan J, Li G. Life cycle assessment of sewage sludge treatment and disposal based on nutrient and energy recovery: A review. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2021; 769:144451. [PMID: 33736265 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.144451] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2020] [Revised: 11/17/2020] [Accepted: 12/06/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
With the acceleration of urbanization, the production of urban sludge is increasing rapidly. To minimize resource input and waste output, it is crucial to execute analyses of environmental impact and assessments of sustainability on different technical strategies involving sludge disposal based on Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), which is a great potential mean of environmental management adopted internationally in the 21st century. This review aims to compare the environmental sustainability of existing sludge management schemes with a purpose of nutrient recovery and energy saving, respectively, and also to include the substitution benefits of alternative sludge products. Simultaneously, LCA research regarding the emerging sludge management technologies and sludge recycling (cement, adsorbent, bricks) is analyzed. Additionally, the key aspects of the LCA process are worth noting in the context of the current limitations reviewed here. It is worth emphasizing that no technical remediation method can reduce all environmental damage simultaneously, and these schemes are typically more applicable to the assumed local conditions. Future LCA research should pay more attention to the toxic effects of different sludge treatment methods, evaluate the technical ways of adding pretreatment technology to the 'front end' of the sludge treatment process, and further explore how to markedly reduce environmental damage in order to maximize energy and nutrient recovery from the LCA perspective.
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Affiliation(s)
- An Ding
- State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and Environment (SKLUWRE), School of Environment, Harbin Institute of Technology, 73 Huanghe Road, Nangang District, 150090 Harbin, PR China.
| | - Rourou Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and Environment (SKLUWRE), School of Environment, Harbin Institute of Technology, 73 Huanghe Road, Nangang District, 150090 Harbin, PR China
| | - Huu Hao Ngo
- Faculty of Engineering, University of Technology Sydney, P.O. Box 123, Broadway, Sydney, NSW 2007, Australia
| | - Xu He
- State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and Environment (SKLUWRE), School of Environment, Harbin Institute of Technology, 73 Huanghe Road, Nangang District, 150090 Harbin, PR China
| | - Jun Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and Environment (SKLUWRE), School of Environment, Harbin Institute of Technology, 73 Huanghe Road, Nangang District, 150090 Harbin, PR China
| | - Jun Nan
- State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and Environment (SKLUWRE), School of Environment, Harbin Institute of Technology, 73 Huanghe Road, Nangang District, 150090 Harbin, PR China.
| | - Guibai Li
- State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and Environment (SKLUWRE), School of Environment, Harbin Institute of Technology, 73 Huanghe Road, Nangang District, 150090 Harbin, PR China
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21
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Al-Jabri H, Das P, Thaher M, Khan S, AbdulQuadir M. Potential utilization of waste nitrogen fertilizer from a fertilizer industry using marine microalgae. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2021; 755:142532. [PMID: 33035988 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.142532] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2020] [Revised: 09/13/2020] [Accepted: 09/19/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
This study investigated the feasibility of microalgal biomass production using waste nitrogen fertilizers (WNFs) generated by the Qatar Fertiliser Company (QAFCO). From the plant, three types of WNFs (WNF1, WNF2, and WNF3) were collected; WNF1 and WNF2 had high solubility (e.g., 1000 g/L) whereas WNF3 had low solubility (65 g/L). For a lower dosage (i.e., 100 mg N/L) of these WNFs, >98% of nitrogen was soluble in water for WNF1 and WNF2; however, 52 mg N/L was soluble for WNF3. Nitrogen content in these wastes was 44, 43, and 39% for WNF1, WNF2, and WNF3, respectively. As these WNFs were used as the sole nitrogen source to grow Tetraselmis sp., Picochlorum sp., and Synechococcus sp., Tetraselmis sp. could utilize all the three WNFs more efficiently than other two strains. The biomass yield of Tetraselmis sp. in a 100,000 L raceway pond was 0.58 g/L and 0.67 g/L for mixed WNFs (all WNF in equal ratio) and urea, respectively. The metabolite profiles of Tetraselmis sp. biomass grown using mixed WNFs were very similar to the biomass obtained from urea-added culture - suggesting that WNFs produced Tetraselmis sp. biomass could be used as animal feed ingredients. Life cycle impact assessment (LCIA) was conducted for six potential scenarios, using the data from the outdoor cultivation. The production of Tetraselmis sp. biomass in QAFCO premises using its WNFs, flue gas, and waste heat could not only eliminate the consequences of landfilling WNFs but also would improve the energy, cost, and environmental burdens of microalgal biomass production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hareb Al-Jabri
- Algal Technology Program, Center for Sustainable Development, College of Arts and Sciences, Qatar University, Doha 2713, Qatar
| | - Probir Das
- Algal Technology Program, Center for Sustainable Development, College of Arts and Sciences, Qatar University, Doha 2713, Qatar.
| | - Mahmoud Thaher
- Algal Technology Program, Center for Sustainable Development, College of Arts and Sciences, Qatar University, Doha 2713, Qatar
| | - Shoyeb Khan
- Algal Technology Program, Center for Sustainable Development, College of Arts and Sciences, Qatar University, Doha 2713, Qatar
| | - Mohammad AbdulQuadir
- Algal Technology Program, Center for Sustainable Development, College of Arts and Sciences, Qatar University, Doha 2713, Qatar
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22
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Scenario Analysis for Selecting Sewage Sludge-to-Energy/Matter Recovery Processes. ENERGIES 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/en14020276] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
The sewage sludges are the byproducts of the wastewater treatment. The new perspective of the wastewater value chain points to a sustainable circular economy approach, where the residual solid material produced by sewage sludge treatments is a resource rather than a waste. A sewage sludge treatment system consists of five main phases; each of them can be performed by different alternative processes. Each process is characterized by its capability to recover energy and/or matter. In this paper, a state of the art of the sludge-to-energy and sludge-to-matter treatments is provided. Then, a scenario analysis is developed to identify suitable sewage sludge treatments plants that best fit the quality and flowrate of sewage sludge to be processed while meeting technological and economic constraints. Based on the scientific literature findings and experts’ opinions, the authors identify a set of reference initial scenarios and the corresponding best treatments’ selection for configuring sewage sludge treatment plants. The scenario analysis reveals a useful reference technical framework when circular economy goals are pursued. The results achieved in all scenarios ensure the potential recovery of matter and/or energy from sewage sludges processes.
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23
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Djandja OS, Wang ZC, Wang F, Xu YP, Duan PG. Pyrolysis of Municipal Sewage Sludge for Biofuel Production: A Review. Ind Eng Chem Res 2020. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.iecr.0c01546] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Oraléou Sangué Djandja
- Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Energy Chemical Process Intensification, School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Xi’an Jiaotong University, No. 28, West Xianning Road, Xi’an, Shaanxi 710049, P. R. China
| | - Zhi-Cong Wang
- Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Energy Chemical Process Intensification, School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Xi’an Jiaotong University, No. 28, West Xianning Road, Xi’an, Shaanxi 710049, P. R. China
| | - Feng Wang
- College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Department of Energy and Chemical Engineering, Henan Polytechnic University, No. 2001, Century Avenue, Jiaozuo, Henan 454003, P. R. China
| | - Yu-Ping Xu
- College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Department of Energy and Chemical Engineering, Henan Polytechnic University, No. 2001, Century Avenue, Jiaozuo, Henan 454003, P. R. China
| | - Pei-Gao Duan
- Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Energy Chemical Process Intensification, School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Xi’an Jiaotong University, No. 28, West Xianning Road, Xi’an, Shaanxi 710049, P. R. China
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Lam KL, Zlatanović L, van der Hoek JP. Life cycle assessment of nutrient recycling from wastewater: A critical review. WATER RESEARCH 2020; 173:115519. [PMID: 32006809 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2020.115519] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2019] [Revised: 01/16/2020] [Accepted: 01/17/2020] [Indexed: 05/09/2023]
Abstract
Recovering resources from wastewater systems is increasingly being emphasised. Many technologies exist or are under development for recycling nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus from wastewater to agriculture. Planning and design methodologies are needed to identify and deploy the most sustainable solutions in given contexts. For the environmental sustainability dimension, life cycle assessment (LCA) can be used to assess environmental impact potentials of wastewater-based nutrient recycling alternatives, especially nitrogen and phosphorus recycling. This review aims to evaluate how well the LCA methodology has been adapted and applied for assessing opportunities of wastewater-based nutrient recycling in the form of monomineral, multimineral, nutrient solution and organic solid. We reviewed 65 LCA studies that considered nutrient recycling from wastewater for agricultural land application. We synthesised some of their insights and methodological practices, and discussed the future outlook of using LCA for wastewater-based nutrient recycling. In general, more studies suggested positive environmental outcomes from wastewater-based nutrient recycling, especially when chemical inputs are minimised, and source separation of human excreta is achieved. The review shows the need to improve methodological consistency (e.g., multifunctionality, fertiliser offset accounting, contaminant accounting), ensure transparency of inventory and methods, consider uncertainty in comparative LCA context, integrate up-to-date cross-disciplinary knowledge (e.g., agriculture science, soil science) into LCA models, and consider the localised impacts of recycled nutrient products. Many opportunities exist for applying LCA at various scales to support decisions on wastewater-based nutrient recycling - for instance, performing "product perspective" LCA on recycled nutrient products, integrating "process perspective" LCA with other systems approaches for selecting and optimising individual recovery processes, assessing emerging nutrient recovery technologies and integrated resource recovery systems, and conducting systems analysis at city, national and global level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ka Leung Lam
- Department of Water Management, Delft University of Technology, Stevinweg 1, 2628 CN, Delft, the Netherlands.
| | - Ljiljana Zlatanović
- Department of Water Management, Delft University of Technology, Stevinweg 1, 2628 CN, Delft, the Netherlands; Amsterdam Institute for Advanced Metropolitan Solutions, Kattenburgerstraat 5, 1018 JA, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Jan Peter van der Hoek
- Department of Water Management, Delft University of Technology, Stevinweg 1, 2628 CN, Delft, the Netherlands; Amsterdam Institute for Advanced Metropolitan Solutions, Kattenburgerstraat 5, 1018 JA, Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Waternet, Korte Ouderkerkerdijk 7, 1096 AC, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
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Tarpani RRZ, Alfonsín C, Hospido A, Azapagic A. Life cycle environmental impacts of sewage sludge treatment methods for resource recovery considering ecotoxicity of heavy metals and pharmaceutical and personal care products. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2020; 260:109643. [PMID: 32090790 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2019.109643] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2019] [Revised: 08/21/2019] [Accepted: 09/25/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Sewage sludge handling is becoming a concern in Europe due to its increasing amount and the presence of contaminants, such as heavy metals and pharmaceutical and personal care products (PPCPs). Currently, over 70% of sludge in Europe is treated thermally by incineration or used as fertilizer in agriculture. New thermochemical methods are under development and are expected to be implemented in the near future. This paper considers the life cycle environmental impacts of the following five alternatives for sludge handling, taking into account the presence of heavy metals and PPCPs: i) agricultural application of anaerobically digested sludge; ii) agricultural application of composted sludge; iii) incineration; iv) pyrolysis; and v) wet air oxidation. The results suggest that anaerobic digestion with recovery of nutrients and electricity has the lowest environmental impacts in 11 out of 18 categories considered. For the mean to maximum resource recovery, composting is the worst alternative, followed by pyrolysis with lower recovery rates. Agricultural application of anaerobically digested sludge has the highest freshwater ecotoxicity due to heavy metals, unless their concentration is in the lowest range, as found in some European sewage sludge applied on land. Therefore, stricter control of heavy metals in the sludge is needed for this option to limit freshwater ecotoxicity to the levels comparable with the thermal processes. The results also indicate that PPCPs have a negligible contribution to freshwater ecotoxicity when compared to heavy metals in the anaerobically digested sludge. Since thermal processes are currently drawing attention due to their potential benefits, the findings of this work suggest that their adoption is environmentally beneficial only if high resource recovery rates can be achieved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raphael Ricardo Zepon Tarpani
- Sustainable Industrial Systems, Department of Chemical Engineering and Analytical Science, Room C16, The Mill, Sackville Street, The University of Manchester, Manchester, M13 9PL, UK
| | - Carolina Alfonsín
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, E-15782, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Almudena Hospido
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, E-15782, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Adisa Azapagic
- Sustainable Industrial Systems, Department of Chemical Engineering and Analytical Science, Room C16, The Mill, Sackville Street, The University of Manchester, Manchester, M13 9PL, UK.
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26
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Lee E, Oliveira DSBL, Oliveira LSBL, Jimenez E, Kim Y, Wang M, Ergas SJ, Zhang Q. Comparative environmental and economic life cycle assessment of high solids anaerobic co-digestion for biosolids and organic waste management. WATER RESEARCH 2020; 171:115443. [PMID: 31945640 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2019.115443] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2019] [Revised: 10/31/2019] [Accepted: 12/23/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
High-Solids Anaerobic co-Digestion (HS-AcD) of sewage sludge (biosolids) with the organic fraction of municipal solid waste is a promising waste management alternative due to high methane yields, lower reactor volume requirements, lower energy inputs, and less leachate production than liquid anaerobic digestion. This study evaluated the environmental and economic burdens and benefits of HS-AcD of biosolids, Food Waste (FW), and Yard Waste (YW) using Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) and Life Cycle Cost Analysis (LCCA) methods using Hillsborough County, Florida in the U.S. as a case study. Results for HS-AcD were compared with incineration, composting, and landfilling, with and without landfill gas use. The results showed that HS-AcD of a mixture of biosolids, FW, and YW had the lowest environmental impacts in all categories analyzed (global warming potential, acidification, eutrophication, and ecotoxicity). In terms of economics, HS-AcD had the lowest life cycle cost, with or without considering land acquisition. The results show that HS-AcD is the best choice to manage biosolids and the organic waste in Hillsborough County in terms of both environmental and economic sustainability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eunyoung Lee
- Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering, University of South Florida, 4202 E Fowler Ave, ENG 030, Tampa, FL, 33620, USA
| | | | | | - Eduardo Jimenez
- Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering, University of South Florida, 4202 E Fowler Ave, ENG 030, Tampa, FL, 33620, USA; Kimley-Horn and Associates, INC., 655 N Franklin St #150, Tampa, FL, 33602, USA
| | - Youngwoon Kim
- Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering, University of South Florida, 4202 E Fowler Ave, ENG 030, Tampa, FL, 33620, USA
| | - Meng Wang
- Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering, University of South Florida, 4202 E Fowler Ave, ENG 030, Tampa, FL, 33620, USA; Department of Energy & Mineral Engineering, Pennsylvania State University, 113 Hosler Building, State College, PA, 16802, USA
| | - Sarina J Ergas
- Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering, University of South Florida, 4202 E Fowler Ave, ENG 030, Tampa, FL, 33620, USA
| | - Qiong Zhang
- Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering, University of South Florida, 4202 E Fowler Ave, ENG 030, Tampa, FL, 33620, USA.
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Rostami F, Tafazzoli SM, Aminian ST, Avami A. Comparative assessment of sewage sludge disposal alternatives in Mashhad: a life cycle perspective. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2020; 27:315-333. [PMID: 31786757 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-019-06709-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2019] [Accepted: 10/02/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Municipal wastewater treatment facilities produce a lot of sludge which is concentrated with different pollutants. The sustainable design of the sludge disposal alternatives is of crucial importance for touristic cities like Mashhad in Iran. Increasing sludge generation and its accumulation in the city and more stringent legislations highlight the challenge of sludge disposal, recently. This study compares different alternatives to reach maximum possible environmental benefits as well as the most cost-effective technologies. In this study, life cycle analysis (LCA) assesses different scenarios for disposal of sewage sludge which is aerobically treated and dewatered for two real case studies. Alteymore and KhinArab are wastewater treatment units in the city. The scenarios include incineration, composting, and landfilling alternatives. The incineration and landfill scenarios are the least interesting solutions according to different life cycle impact categories. The heavy metals' emission to the soil worsens their impacts. Also, lifecycle cost analysis reveals that composting scenario is more cost-saving than others. However, main disadvantage of the composting scenario is its contribution in freshwater eutrophication. To move towards sustainability, the composting scenario is here determined as the best scenario for sludge disposal in Mashhad.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fatemeh Rostami
- Energy Systems Engineering Group, Department of Energy Engineering, Sharif University of Technology, Azadi Ave, P.O. Box 14565-114, Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran
| | | | | | - Akram Avami
- Energy Systems Engineering Group, Department of Energy Engineering, Sharif University of Technology, Azadi Ave, P.O. Box 14565-114, Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran.
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28
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The Use of Artificial Neural Networks and Decision Trees to Predict the Degree of Odor Nuisance of Post-Digestion Sludge in the Sewage Treatment Plant Process. SUSTAINABILITY 2019. [DOI: 10.3390/su11164407] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
This paper presents the application of artificial neural networks and decision trees for the prediction of odor properties of post-fermentation sludge from a biological-mechanical wastewater treatment plant. The input parameters were concentrations of popular compounds present in the sludge, such as toluene, p-xylene, and p-cresol, and process parameters including the concentration of volatile fatty acids, pH, and alkalinity in the fermentation sludge. The analyses revealed that the implementation of artificial neural networks allowed the prediction of the values of odor intensity and the hedonic tone of the post-fermentation sludge at the level of 30% mean absolute percentage error. Application of the decision tree made it possible to determine what input parameters the fermentation feed should have in order to arrive at the post-fermentation sludge with an odor intensity <2 and hedonic tone >−1. It was shown that the aforementioned phenomenon was influenced by the following factors: concentration of p-xylene, pH, concentration of volatile fatty acids, and concentration of p-cresol.
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29
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What Advanced Treatments Can Be Used to Minimize the Production of Sewage Sludge in WWTPs? APPLIED SCIENCES-BASEL 2019. [DOI: 10.3390/app9132650] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
Similar to other types of waste, sewage sludge (SS) must be minimized, not only to respect the European Directive 2018/851 on waste, but also because the cost of sludge management is approximately 50% of the total running costs of a wastewater treatment plant (WWTP). Usually, minimization technologies can involve sewage sludge production with three different strategies: (i) adopting a process in the water line that reduces the production of sludge; (ii) reducing the water content (dewatering processes) or (iii) reducing the fraction of volatile solids (stabilization). This review, based on more than 130 papers, aims to provide essential information on the process, such as the advantages, the drawbacks and the results of their application. Moreover, significant information on the technologies still under development is provided. Finally, this review reports a discussion on the impact of the application of the proposed processes in the sludge line on a WWTP with a capacity exceeding 100,000 population equivalent (PE).
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30
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Grobelak A, Grosser A, Kacprzak M, Kamizela T. Sewage sludge processing and management in small and medium-sized municipal wastewater treatment plant-new technical solution. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2019; 234:90-96. [PMID: 30616192 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2018.12.111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2018] [Revised: 12/24/2018] [Accepted: 12/28/2018] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Although sewage sludge generated by most large wastewater treatment plants is treated as waste, this 'waste' is both a source of energy and nutrients. Moreover, mainly in the small and medium-sized installations of municipal wastewater treatment plants is produced sewage sludge that meets the standards for soil application. Unfortunately, the overly simplified operating systems of small wastewater treatments plants cannot provide the satisfactory content of water in sewage sludge for energy recovery purposes. Therefore, new solutions for sewage sludge treatment are required. The study presents an innovative, energy effective, wastewater treatment and sewage sludge processing in one operational sequence, with significant energy consumption decrease and autothermal biomass production. Current research contains detailed technical information about the novel integrated waste water treatment plant and sewage sludge treatment installation as well as cost analysis in comparison to conventional treatments. The aim of this study was to evaluate the operation of the one prototype line for wastewater and sewage sludge treatment and the assessment of the obtained biomass and fertilizer. This new technology is a solution for small and medium-sized municipal wastewater treatment plants and is leading to change the conception of wastewater treatment process as a whole and is resolving the management of sewage sludge at the place where it is generated. In described process the sewage sludge is adequately treated by the installation apparatus and can be used in two ways: as a source of pathogen-free compost, or as a biomass and feedstock for simple thermal installation. Obtained sewage sludge can be recycled as biomass for combustion with the remaining ash acing as a plant nutrient-rich source (soil properties enhancer). Finally, in a modified wastewater treatment process, an odorless and stabilized compost or biomass for thermal energy recovery can be obtained and utilized directly at the place of origin. This alternative system allows for the systematic (and technological) adjustment of already existing, upgraded and newly-designed wastewater treatment plants. This new and innovative technology driven by assumptions about the best possible use of the resources and energy, allows for a more sustainable functioning of the treatment plant. The present study provides a significant insight into closing carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and energy loops in wastewater treatments system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Grobelak
- Czestochowa University of Technology, Faculty of Infrastructure and Environment, Institute of Environmental Engineering, Czestochowa, Poland.
| | - Anna Grosser
- Czestochowa University of Technology, Faculty of Infrastructure and Environment, Institute of Environmental Engineering, Czestochowa, Poland
| | - Małgorzata Kacprzak
- Czestochowa University of Technology, Faculty of Infrastructure and Environment, Institute of Environmental Engineering, Czestochowa, Poland
| | - Tomasz Kamizela
- Czestochowa University of Technology, Faculty of Infrastructure and Environment, Institute of Environmental Engineering, Czestochowa, Poland.
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31
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Comparative Life Cycle Assessment of HTC Concepts Valorizing Sewage Sludge for Energetic and Agricultural Use. ENERGIES 2019. [DOI: 10.3390/en12050786] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
In many countries, sewage sludge is directly used for energy and agricultural purposes after dewatering or digestion and dewatering. In recent years, there has been a growing interest in additional upstream hydrothermal carbonization (HTC), which could lead to higher yields in the energetic and agricultural use. Twelve energetic and agricultural valorization concepts of sewage sludge are defined and assessed for Germany to investigate whether the integration of HTC will have a positive effect on the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The study shows that the higher expenses within the HTC process cannot be compensated by additional energy production and agricultural yields. However, the optimization of the HTC process chain through integrated sewage sludge digestion and process water recirculation leads to significant reductions in GHG emissions of the HTC concepts. Subsequently, nearly the same results can be achieved when compared to the direct energetic use of sewage sludge; in the agricultural valorization, the optimized HTC concept would be even the best concept if the direct use of sewage sludge will no longer be permitted in Germany from 2029/2032. Nevertheless, the agricultural valorization concepts are not generally advantageous when compared to the energetic valorization concepts, as it is shown for two concepts.
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