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Conversion of Sewage Sludge into Biofuels via Different Pathways and Their Use in Agriculture: A Comprehensive Review

Author

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  • Zygmunt Kowalski

    (Mineral and Energy Economy Research Institute, Polish Academy of Sciences, 31-261 Kraków, Poland)

  • Agnieszka Makara

    (Faculty of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Cracow University of Technology, 31-155 Kraków, Poland)

  • Joanna Kulczycka

    (Faculty of Management, AGH University of Science and Technology, Gramatyka 10, 30-067 Kraków, Poland)

  • Agnieszka Generowicz

    (Department of Environmental Technologies, Cracow University of Technology, 31-155 Kraków, Poland)

  • Paweł Kwaśnicki

    (Faculty of Natural and Technical Sciences, John Paul II Catholic University of Lublin, 20-708 Lublin, Poland)

  • Józef Ciuła

    (Faculty of Engineering Sciences, State University of Applied Sciences in Nowy Sącz, 33-300 Nowy Sącz, Poland)

  • Anna Gronba-Chyła

    (Faculty of Natural and Technical Sciences, John Paul II Catholic University of Lublin, 20-708 Lublin, Poland)

Abstract

The valorisation of sewage sludge for sustainable agricultural use and biofuel production proposes an effective and beneficial management of sewage sludge in a closed-loop cycle. The management of sewage sludge biowaste is a rising problem due to increasing waste storage expenses. In this sense, the use of circular economy principles in sewage sludge management creates opportunities to develop new technologies for processing. The biorefinery model allows the application of wasteless technologies via sewage sludge valorisation in terms of agricultural use and biofuel production, especially with the hydrothermal carbonisation method. Applying hydrothermal carbonisation in the treatment of biosolid sewage sludge has numerous benefits due to processing highly hydrated organic waste into carbon hydro char, a high-quality solid biofuel. The direct use of sewage sludge in the soil does not allow for full use of its functional properties. However, the hydrothermal carbonisation of sewage sludge results in biocarbon pellets, making it a viable approach. This work also discusses the barriers (legal, chemical, biological, and technical) and possibilities related to sewage sludge biorefining processes.

Suggested Citation

  • Zygmunt Kowalski & Agnieszka Makara & Joanna Kulczycka & Agnieszka Generowicz & Paweł Kwaśnicki & Józef Ciuła & Anna Gronba-Chyła, 2024. "Conversion of Sewage Sludge into Biofuels via Different Pathways and Their Use in Agriculture: A Comprehensive Review," Energies, MDPI, vol. 17(6), pages 1-28, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:17:y:2024:i:6:p:1383-:d:1356294
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Lili Wang & Zexia Li, 2021. "Knowledge flows from public science to industrial technologies," The Journal of Technology Transfer, Springer, vol. 46(4), pages 1232-1255, August.
    2. Zygmunt Kowalski & Agnieszka Makara, 2022. "Sustainable Systems for the Production of District Heating Using Meat-Bone Meal as Biofuel: A Polish Case Study," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(10), pages 1-15, May.
    3. Hana Hudcová & Jan Vymazal & Miloš Rozkošný, 2019. "Present restrictions of sewage sludge application in agriculture within the European Union," Soil and Water Research, Czech Academy of Agricultural Sciences, vol. 14(2), pages 104-120.
    4. Korhonen, Jouni & Honkasalo, Antero & Seppälä, Jyri, 2018. "Circular Economy: The Concept and its Limitations," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 143(C), pages 37-46.
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