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Thermochemical Treatment of Sewage Sludge Ash (SSA)—Potential and Perspective in Poland

Author

Listed:
  • Marzena Smol

    (Mineral and Energy Economy Research Institute, Polish Academy of Sciences, Wybickiego 7A str., 31-261 Krakow, Poland)

  • Christian Adam

    (Bundesanstalt für Materialforschung und -prüfung (BAM), Zweiggelände Adlershof, Richard-Willstätter-Straße 11, 12489 Berlin, Germany)

  • Stefan Anton Kugler

    (Bundesanstalt für Materialforschung und -prüfung (BAM), Zweiggelände Adlershof, Richard-Willstätter-Straße 11, 12489 Berlin, Germany)

Abstract

Phosphorus (P) recovery from sewage sludge ash (SSA) is one of the most promising approaches of phosphate rock substitution in mineral fertilizers and might be a sustainable way to secure supply of this raw material in the future. In the current investigation, the process of thermochemical treatment of SSA was applied to SSA coming from selected mono-incineration plants of municipal sewage sludge in Poland (Cracow, Gdansk, Gdynia, Lodz, Kielce and Szczecin). The Polish SSA was thermochemically converted in the presence of sodium (Na) additives and a reducing agent (dried sewage sludge) to obtain secondary raw materials for the production of marketable P fertilizers. The process had a positive impact on the bioavailability of phosphorus and reduced the content of heavy metals in the obtained products. The P solubility in neutral ammonium citrate, an indicator of its bioavailability, was significantly raised from 19.7–45.7% in the raw ashes and 76.5–100% in the thermochemically treated SSA. The content of nutrients in the recyclates was in the range of 15.7–19.2% P 2 O 5 , 10.8–14.2% CaO, 3.5–5.4% Na 2 O, 2.6–3.6% MgO and 0.9–1.3% K 2 O. The produced fertilizer raw materials meet the Polish norms for trace elements covered by the legislation: the content of lead was in the range 10.2–73.1 mg/kg, arsenic 4.8–22.7 mg/kg, cadmium 0.9–2.8 mg/kg and mercury <0.05 mg/kg. Thus, these products could be potentially directly used for fertilizer production. This work also includes an analysis of the possibilities of using ashes for fertilizer purposes in Poland, based on the assumptions indicated in the adopted strategic and planning documents regarding waste management and fertilizer production.

Suggested Citation

  • Marzena Smol & Christian Adam & Stefan Anton Kugler, 2020. "Thermochemical Treatment of Sewage Sludge Ash (SSA)—Potential and Perspective in Poland," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(20), pages 1-17, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:13:y:2020:i:20:p:5461-:d:431395
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Marzena Smol & Joanna Duda & Agnieszka Czaplicka-Kotas & Dominika Szołdrowska, 2020. "Transformation towards Circular Economy (CE) in Municipal Waste Management System: Model Solutions for Poland," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(11), pages 1-25, June.
    2. Xiuhua Li & Dagong Zhang & Tsung Y. Yang & Wayne L. Bryden, 2016. "Phosphorus Bioavailability: A Key Aspect for Conserving this Critical Animal Feed Resource with Reference to Broiler Nutrition," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 6(2), pages 1-15, May.
    3. Andreas Nordin & Anna Strandberg & Sana Elbashir & Lars-Erik Åmand & Nils Skoglund & Anita Pettersson, 2020. "Co-Combustion of Municipal Sewage Sludge and Biomass in a Grate Fired Boiler for Phosphorus Recovery in Bottom Ash," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(7), pages 1-24, April.
    4. Taina Lühmann & Benjamin Wirth, 2020. "Sewage Sludge Valorization via Hydrothermal Carbonization: Optimizing Dewaterability and Phosphorus Release," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(17), pages 1-16, August.
    5. Marzena Smol & Michał Preisner & Augusto Bianchini & Jessica Rossi & Ludwig Hermann & Tanja Schaaf & Jolita Kruopienė & Kastytis Pamakštys & Maris Klavins & Ruta Ozola-Davidane & Daina Kalnina & Elina, 2020. "Strategies for Sustainable and Circular Management of Phosphorus in the Baltic Sea Region: The Holistic Approach of the InPhos Project," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(6), pages 1-21, March.
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    1. Nicola Di Costanzo & Alessandra Cesaro & Francesco Di Capua & Giovanni Esposito, 2021. "Exploiting the Nutrient Potential of Anaerobically Digested Sewage Sludge: A Review," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(23), pages 1-25, December.
    2. Piotr Sakiewicz & Krzysztof Piotrowski & Mariola Rajca & Izabella Maj & Sylwester Kalisz & Józef Ober & Janusz Karwot & Krishna R. Pagilla, 2022. "Innovative Technological Approach for the Cyclic Nutrients Adsorption by Post-Digestion Sewage Sludge-Based Ash Co-Formed with Some Nanostructural Additives under a Circular Economy Framework," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(17), pages 1-28, September.

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