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A Review of Sludge-to-Energy Recovery Methods

Author

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  • Jumoke Oladejo

    (New Materials Institute, The University of Nottingham, Ningbo 315100, China)

  • Kaiqi Shi

    (New Materials Institute, The University of Nottingham, Ningbo 315100, China)

  • Xiang Luo

    (New Materials Institute, The University of Nottingham, Ningbo 315100, China)

  • Gang Yang

    (New Materials Institute, The University of Nottingham, Ningbo 315100, China)

  • Tao Wu

    (New Materials Institute, The University of Nottingham, Ningbo 315100, China
    Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, The University of Nottingham, Ningbo 315100, China)

Abstract

The increasing volume of sewage sludge from wastewater treatment facilities is becoming a prominent concern globally. The disposal of this sludge is particularly challenging and poses severe environmental hazards due to the high content of organic, toxic and heavy metal pollutants among its constituents. This study presents a simple review of four sewage to energy recovery routes (anaerobic digestion, combustion, pyrolysis and gasification) with emphasis on recent developments in research, as well as benefits and limitations of the technology for ensuring cost and environmentally viable sewage to energy pathway. This study focusses on the review of various commercially viable sludge conversion processes and technologies used for energy recovery from sewage sludge. This was done via in-depth process descriptions gathered from literatures and simplified schematic depiction of such energy recovery processes when utilised for sludge. Specifically, the impact of fuel properties and its effect on the recovery process were discussed to indicate the current challenges and recent scientific research undertaken to resolve these challenges and improve the operational, environmental and cost competitiveness of these technologies.

Suggested Citation

  • Jumoke Oladejo & Kaiqi Shi & Xiang Luo & Gang Yang & Tao Wu, 2018. "A Review of Sludge-to-Energy Recovery Methods," Energies, MDPI, vol. 12(1), pages 1-38, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:12:y:2018:i:1:p:60-:d:193168
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    3. Nuno S. Graça & Alírio E. Rodrigues, 2022. "The Combined Implementation of Electrocoagulation and Adsorption Processes for the Treatment of Wastewaters," Clean Technol., MDPI, vol. 4(4), pages 1-34, October.
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    6. Chiwei Chen & Jenn-Shing Chen, 2022. "A New Resource Recovery Process for Refining Sludge Generated by a Paper Manufacturing Company," International Journal of Agricultural and Environmental Information Systems (IJAEIS), IGI Global, vol. 13(1), pages 1-23, January.
    7. Chen, Guan-Bang & Wu, Fang-Hsien & Fang, Tzu-Lu & Lin, Hsien-Tsung & Chao, Yei-Chin, 2021. "A study of Co-gasification of sewage sludge and palm kernel shells," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 218(C).
    8. Diego Teixeira Michalovicz & Patricia Bilotta, 2023. "Impact of a methane emission tax on circular economy scenarios in small wastewater treatment plants," Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, Springer, vol. 25(7), pages 6575-6589, July.
    9. Raclavská, Helena & Růžičková, Jana & Šafář, Michal & Kucbel, Marek & Slamová, Karolina & Švédová, Barbora & Juchelková, Dagmar & Kantor, Pavel, 2023. "Municipal sludges as sources of energy or nutrients – What is the best?," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 275(C).
    10. Juhee Shin & Si-Kyung Cho & Joonyeob Lee & Kwanghyun Hwang & Jae Woo Chung & Hae-Nam Jang & Seung Gu Shin, 2019. "Performance and Microbial Community Dynamics in Anaerobic Digestion of Waste Activated Sludge: Impact of Immigration," Energies, MDPI, vol. 12(3), pages 1-15, February.
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