Biomass fuel production from cellulosic sludge through biodrying: Aeration strategies, quality of end-products, gaseous emissions and techno-economic assessment. (1st May 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Guerra-Gorostegi, N.; González, D.; Puyuelo, B.; Ovejero, J.; Colón, J.; Gabriel, D.; Sánchez, A.; Ponsá, S.
• Is Part Of: Waste management. Volume 126(2021)
• Page Start: 487
• Page End: 496
• Publication Date: 2021-05-01
• Subjects: Cellulosic sludge -- Biodrying -- Aeration strategies -- Gaseous emissions -- Techno-economic analysis; AT4 4 days cumulative oxygen consumption -- BA Bulking agent -- BI Biodrying index -- BPI Biodrying performance index -- CAPEX Capital expenditures -- COD Chemical oxygen demand -- CS Cellulosic sludge -- DRI Dynamic respirometric index -- EBI Energetic biodrying index -- EC Energy consumption -- EP Energy production -- GHG Greenhouse gases -- FAS Free air space -- HHV Higher heating value -- IRR Internal rate of return -- LHV Lower heating value -- MC Moisture content -- MSW Municipal solid waste -- NPV Net present value -- OPEX Operational expenditures -- PE Population equivalents -- SRF Solid recovered fuels -- TIP Temperature increasing phase -- TS Total solids -- tVOC Total volatile organic compounds -- VS Volatile solids -- VS-CS Volatile solids from cellulosic sludge -- WWTP Wastewater treatment plant; Hazardous wastes -- Periodicals; Refuse and refuse disposal -- Periodicals; 363.728
• DOI: 10.1016/j.wasman.2021.03.036
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0956-053X

Abstract

Graphical abstract: Highlights: Technical, environmental and economic feasibility of cellulosic sludge biodrying. 3 aeration strategies implemented for best strategy assessment. Technical feasibility assessed through innovative biodrying indexes. Gaseous emissions and energy consumption for performance assessment. End-products quality would allow a full-scale payback time of up to 2 years. Abstract: This study assesses the technological, environmental and economic feasibility of biodrying to valorise cellulosic sludge as a renewable energy source. Specifically, three different aeration strategies were compared in terms of biodrying performance, energetic consumption, gaseous emissions, quality of end-products and techno-economic analysis. These strategies were based on different combinations of convective drying with biogenic heat produced. Two innovative biodrying performance indicators (Energetic Biodrying Index and Biodrying Performance Index) were proposed to better assess the initial and operational conditions that favour the maximum energy process efficiency and the highest end-product quality. The end-products obtained consistently presented moisture contents below 40% and lower heating values above 9.4 MJ·kg-1. However, the best values achieved were 32.6% and 10.4 MJ·kg-1 for moisture content and lower heating value, respectively. Low N2 O and CH4 emissions confirmed the effective aeration of all three strategies carried out, while NH4 and tVOCs were related either to temperature or biological phenomena. A techno-economic analysis proved the economic viability and attractiveness of the biodrying technology for cellulosic sludge in all the strategies applied.