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Martínez-Alvarenga H, Gutiérrez MC, Gómez-Cámer JL, Benítez A, Martín MA, Caballero A. Integral evaluation of effective conversion of sewage sludge from WWTP into highly porous activated carbon. J Environ Manage 2024; 351:119822. [PMID: 38134504 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2023.119822] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2023] [Revised: 11/24/2023] [Accepted: 12/11/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023]
Abstract
Urban sewage sludge (SL) is a major concern due to the number of environmental problems it causes. Its application for different purposes is strictly regulated, limiting the possibilities of recycling and reusing this material. Thus, in this work, a complete study of a simple method to convert SL into activated carbon (AC) was carried out. The comprehensive study involves an evaluation of the main process parameters, such as the activating agent (AA) content (25 %, 33 %, 50 %), using the lowest amount of AA as novelty, different pyrolysis temperatures (600 and 800 °C), and purification conditions (6 M HCl:AC ratio, v:w). Under controlled and optimised conditions and through a single combined activation and pyrolysis step followed by acid purification, ACs with well-developed porosity can be obtained. Surface area values of around 870 m2/g and over 60 % carbon content were achieved, demonstrating that the prepared ACs could have applications in a wide variety of fields as high-value products. As an innovative aspect in this research, the gases streams and liquid effluents generated during the global process were analysed, achieving elimination of over 63 % of the concentration of the chemical elements contained in the SL during the chemical purification stage. Finally, mass, energy, and economic balances were carried out to estimate the production cost of AC derived from SL (<€ 8/kg AC).
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Affiliation(s)
- H Martínez-Alvarenga
- Dpto. Química Inorgánica e Ingeniería Química, Instituto Químico para la Energía y el Medioambiente (IQUEMA), Universidad de Córdoba, 14014, Córdoba, Spain
| | - M C Gutiérrez
- Dpto. Química Inorgánica e Ingeniería Química, Instituto Químico para la Energía y el Medioambiente (IQUEMA), Universidad de Córdoba, 14014, Córdoba, Spain; Campus de Excelencia Internacional Agroalimentario ceiA3, Universidad de Córdoba, Campus Universitario de Rabanales, N-IV, km 396, Córdoba, 14071, Spain
| | - J L Gómez-Cámer
- Dpto. Química Inorgánica e Ingeniería Química, Instituto Químico para la Energía y el Medioambiente (IQUEMA), Universidad de Córdoba, 14014, Córdoba, Spain
| | - A Benítez
- Dpto. Química Inorgánica e Ingeniería Química, Instituto Químico para la Energía y el Medioambiente (IQUEMA), Universidad de Córdoba, 14014, Córdoba, Spain.
| | - M A Martín
- Dpto. Química Inorgánica e Ingeniería Química, Instituto Químico para la Energía y el Medioambiente (IQUEMA), Universidad de Córdoba, 14014, Córdoba, Spain; Campus de Excelencia Internacional Agroalimentario ceiA3, Universidad de Córdoba, Campus Universitario de Rabanales, N-IV, km 396, Córdoba, 14071, Spain.
| | - A Caballero
- Dpto. Química Inorgánica e Ingeniería Química, Instituto Químico para la Energía y el Medioambiente (IQUEMA), Universidad de Córdoba, 14014, Córdoba, Spain
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