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Environmental Impacts and Contaminants Management in Sewage Sludge-to-Energy and Fertilizer Technologies: Current Trends and Future Directions

Author

Listed:
  • Anna Grobelak

    (Department of Environmental Engineering and Biotechnology, Faculty of Infrastructure and Environment, Czestochowa University of Technology, 42200 Czestochowa, Poland)

  • Klaudia Całus-Makowska

    (Department of Environmental Engineering and Biotechnology, Faculty of Infrastructure and Environment, Czestochowa University of Technology, 42200 Czestochowa, Poland)

  • Anna Jasińska

    (Department of Environmental Engineering and Biotechnology, Faculty of Infrastructure and Environment, Czestochowa University of Technology, 42200 Czestochowa, Poland)

  • Marek Klimasz

    (Department of Environmental Engineering and Biotechnology, Faculty of Infrastructure and Environment, Czestochowa University of Technology, 42200 Czestochowa, Poland)

  • Aleksandra Wypart-Pawul

    (Department of Environmental Engineering and Biotechnology, Faculty of Infrastructure and Environment, Czestochowa University of Technology, 42200 Czestochowa, Poland)

  • Dominika Augustajtys

    (Department of Environmental Engineering and Biotechnology, Faculty of Infrastructure and Environment, Czestochowa University of Technology, 42200 Czestochowa, Poland)

  • Estera Baor

    (Department of Environmental Engineering and Biotechnology, Faculty of Infrastructure and Environment, Czestochowa University of Technology, 42200 Czestochowa, Poland)

  • Daria Sławczyk

    (Department of Environmental Engineering and Biotechnology, Faculty of Infrastructure and Environment, Czestochowa University of Technology, 42200 Czestochowa, Poland)

  • Aneta Kowalska

    (Department of Biochemistry, Biotechnology and Ecotoxicology, Faculty of Science and Technology, Jan Dlugosz University, 42200 Czestochowa, Poland)

Abstract

The increasing focus on sustainability and the circular economy has brought waste-to-energy technologies to the forefront of renewable energy research. However, the environmental impacts and management of contaminants associated with these technologies remain critical issues. This article comprehensively reviews the environmental impacts of converting sewage sludge into energy and fertilizers, focusing on managing potential contaminants and assessing the implications and ecological risks. It also highlights the latest trends in waste-to-energy technologies, waste-to-soil amendment, and their integration into circular economy frameworks. The discussion encompasses challenges and opportunities in optimizing these processes in wastewater treatment plants to minimize pollutants and enhance sustainability. Addressing these challenges is essential for ensuring the long-term viability and acceptance of waste-to-energy solutions, making this topic highly relevant and timely.

Suggested Citation

  • Anna Grobelak & Klaudia Całus-Makowska & Anna Jasińska & Marek Klimasz & Aleksandra Wypart-Pawul & Dominika Augustajtys & Estera Baor & Daria Sławczyk & Aneta Kowalska, 2024. "Environmental Impacts and Contaminants Management in Sewage Sludge-to-Energy and Fertilizer Technologies: Current Trends and Future Directions," Energies, MDPI, vol. 17(19), pages 1-28, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:17:y:2024:i:19:p:4983-:d:1492756
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Alberto Carotenuto & Simona Di Fraia & Nicola Massarotti & Szymon Sobek & M. Rakib Uddin & Laura Vanoli & Sebastian Werle, 2023. "Sewage Sludge Gasification Process Optimization for Combined Heat and Power Generation," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(12), pages 1-22, June.
    2. Aragón-Briceño, C.I. & Ross, A.B. & Camargo-Valero, M.A., 2021. "Mass and energy integration study of hydrothermal carbonization with anaerobic digestion of sewage sludge," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 167(C), pages 473-483.
    3. Bachev, Hrabrin & Ivanov, Bozhidar, 2021. "Efficiency and factors for agricultural use of sludge in the circular Bulgarian economy," MPRA Paper 109783, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    4. Manzoor Qadir & Pay Drechsel & Blanca Jiménez Cisneros & Younggy Kim & Amit Pramanik & Praem Mehta & Oluwabusola Olaniyan, 2020. "Global and regional potential of wastewater as a water, nutrient and energy source," Natural Resources Forum, Blackwell Publishing, vol. 44(1), pages 40-51, February.
    5. Qadir, M. & Drechsel, Pay & Cisneros, B. J. & Kim, Y. & Pramanik, A. & Mehta, P. & Olaniyan, O., 2020. "Global and regional potential of wastewater as a water, nutrient and energy source," Papers published in Journals (Open Access), International Water Management Institute, pages 44(1):40-51.
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    Cited by:

    1. Chen, Renjie & Dai, Xiaohu & Dong, Bin, 2025. "The two-stage effect of hydrothermal treatment on hydrogen-rich syngas production during different sludge gasification stages: The properties of sludge and their interaction with the product compositi," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 317(C).
    2. Anna Grobelak & Beata Bień & Daria Sławczyk & Jurand Bień, 2025. "Conditioning Biomass for Biogas Plants: Innovative Pre-Treatment and Digestate Valorization Techniques to Enhance Soil Health and Fertility," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(8), pages 1-29, April.
    3. Aneta Kowalska & Robert Biczak, 2025. "Phytoremediation and Environmental Law: Harnessing Biomass and Microbes to Restore Soils and Advance Biofuel Innovation," Energies, MDPI, vol. 18(7), pages 1-27, April.

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