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Comparative Life Cycle Assessment of HTC Concepts Valorizing Sewage Sludge for Energetic and Agricultural Use

Author

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  • Kathleen Meisel

    (Deutsches Biomasseforschungszentrum Gemeinnützige GmbH (DBFZ), Bioenergy Systems Department, Torgauer Straße 116, 04347 Leipzig, Germany)

  • Andreas Clemens

    (Deutsches Biomasseforschungszentrum Gemeinnützige GmbH (DBFZ), Bioenergy Systems Department, Torgauer Straße 116, 04347 Leipzig, Germany)

  • Christoph Fühner

    (Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research (UFZ), Environmental and Biotechnology Centre, Permoserstraße 15, 04318 Leipzig, Germany)

  • Marc Breulmann

    (Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research (UFZ), Environmental and Biotechnology Centre, Permoserstraße 15, 04318 Leipzig, Germany)

  • Stefan Majer

    (Deutsches Biomasseforschungszentrum Gemeinnützige GmbH (DBFZ), Bioenergy Systems Department, Torgauer Straße 116, 04347 Leipzig, Germany)

  • Daniela Thrän

    (Deutsches Biomasseforschungszentrum Gemeinnützige GmbH (DBFZ), Bioenergy Systems Department, Torgauer Straße 116, 04347 Leipzig, Germany
    Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research (UFZ), Department of Bioenergy, Permoserstraße 15, 04318 Leipzig, Germany)

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.

Suggested Citation

  • Kathleen Meisel & Andreas Clemens & Christoph Fühner & Marc Breulmann & Stefan Majer & Daniela Thrän, 2019. "Comparative Life Cycle Assessment of HTC Concepts Valorizing Sewage Sludge for Energetic and Agricultural Use," Energies, MDPI, vol. 12(5), pages 1-16, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:12:y:2019:i:5:p:786-:d:209328
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Daniel Reißmann & Daniela Thrän & Dennis Blöhse & Alberto Bezama, 2021. "Hydrothermal carbonization for sludge disposal in Germany: A comparative assessment for industrial‐scale scenarios in 2030," Journal of Industrial Ecology, Yale University, vol. 25(3), pages 720-734, June.
    2. Agnieszka Urbanowska & Małgorzata Kabsch-Korbutowicz & Christian Aragon-Briceño & Mateusz Wnukowski & Artur Pożarlik & Lukasz Niedzwiecki & Marcin Baranowski & Michał Czerep & Przemysław Seruga & Hali, 2021. "Cascade Membrane System for Separation of Water and Organics from Liquid By-Products of HTC of the Agricultural Digestate—Evaluation of Performance," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(16), pages 1-18, August.
    3. Salah Jellali & Antonis A. Zorpas & Sulaiman Alhashmi & Mejdi Jeguirim, 2022. "Recent Advances in Hydrothermal Carbonization of Sewage Sludge," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(18), pages 1-6, September.
    4. Kathleen Meisel & Lisa Röver & Stefan Majer & Benjamin Herklotz & Daniela Thrän, 2022. "A Comparison of Functional Fillers—Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Air Pollutants from Lignin-Based Filler, Carbon Black and Silica," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(9), pages 1-16, April.
    5. Roy, Poritosh & Dutta, Animesh & Gallant, Jim, 2020. "Evaluation of the life cycle of hydrothermally carbonized biomass for energy and horticulture application," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 132(C).

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