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Sustainable Sewage Sludge Management Technologies Selection Based on Techno-Economic-Environmental Criteria: Case Study of Croatia

Author

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  • Dinko Đurđević

    (Faculty of Economics and Business, University of Rijeka, 51000 Rijeka, Croatia
    Energy Institute Hrvoje Požar, 10001 Zagreb, Croatia)

  • Saša Žiković

    (Faculty of Economics and Business, University of Rijeka, 51000 Rijeka, Croatia)

  • Paolo Blecich

    (Faculty of Engineering, University of Rijeka, 51000 Rijeka, Croatia)

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.

Suggested Citation

  • Dinko Đurđević & Saša Žiković & Paolo Blecich, 2022. "Sustainable Sewage Sludge Management Technologies Selection Based on Techno-Economic-Environmental Criteria: Case Study of Croatia," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(11), pages 1-23, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:15:y:2022:i:11:p:3941-:d:824935
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Tomasz Kalak & Yu Tachibana, 2023. "Utilizing Sewage Sludge Slag, a By-Product of the Circulating Fluidized Bed Combustion Process, to Efficiently Remove Copper from Aquatic Environment," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(15), pages 1-24, July.
    2. Sérgio Siqueira de Amorim Júnior & Mariana Antonio de Souza Pereira & Marjuli Morishigue & Reginaldo Brito da Costa & Denilson de Oliveira Guilherme & Fernando Jorge Correa Magalhães Filho, 2022. "Circular Economy in the Biosolids Management by Nexus Approach: A View to Enhancing Safe Nutrient Recycling—Pathogens, Metals, and Emerging Organic Pollutants Concern," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(22), pages 1-19, November.
    3. Hendrik & Yin Yuan & Akhmad Fauzi & Widiatmaka & Dyah Tjahyandari Suryaningtyas & Florentinus Firdiyono & Yang Yao, 2022. "Determination of the Red Mud Industrial Cluster Sites in Indonesia Based on Sustainability Aspect and Waste Management Analysis through PROMETHEE," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(15), pages 1-13, July.
    4. Dinko Đurđević & Saša Žiković & Tomislav Čop, 2022. "Socio-Economic, Technical and Environmental Indicators for Sustainable Sewage Sludge Management and LEAP Analysis of Emissions Reduction," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(16), pages 1-15, August.
    5. Adriana Dowbysz & Bożena Kukfisz & Mariola Samsonowicz & Jan Stefan Bihałowicz, 2022. "Determination of the Self-Ignition Behavior of the Accumulation of Sludge Dust and Sludge Pellets from the Sewage Sludge Thermal Drying Station," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(1), pages 1-15, December.

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