A review on turning sewage sludge to value-added energy and materials via thermochemical conversion towards carbon neutrality. (15th December 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Hu, Mian; Hu, Hongyu; Ye, Zhiheng; Tan, Suqin; Yin, Ke; Chen, Zhong; Guo, Dabin; Rong, Hongwei; Wang, Junliang; Pan, Zhiyan; Hu, Zhong-Ting
• Is Part Of: Journal of cleaner production. Volume 379:Part 1(2022)
• Publication Date: 2022-12-15
• Subjects: Sewage sludge -- Value-added energy and materials -- Thermochemical conversion -- Carbon neutrality; Factory and trade waste -- Management -- Periodicals; Manufactures -- Environmental aspects -- Periodicals; Déchets industriels -- Gestion -- Périodiques; Usines -- Aspect de l'environnement -- Périodiques; 628.5
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jclepro.2022.134657
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0959-6526

Abstract

Abstract: Because of the rapid growth of global population and economic activity, sewage sludge management is a global conundrum. Conventional landfilling and land-farming of sewage sludge receives increasing critiques due to the negative impacts on environmental sustainability and economic viability. Recently, the thermochemical conversion processes have attracted more and more attentions in sewage sludge treatment, which aims to reduce the volume of sewage sludge and recover of value-added energy and materials. However, the thermochemical conversion involves multiple processes and usually requires a high temperature, which brings many challenges to the large-scale application. Therefore, comprehensive reviews of thermochemical conversion of sewage sludge towards enhanced value-added energy and materials recovery is conducted. Firstly, the composition of sewage sludge and its recovery potential are briefly introduced. Then, a unique analysis of thermochemical conversion of sewage sludge towards value-added energy and materials recovery is elucidated with a focus on the challenges. Ideally, approaches for further sewage sludge management should allow achieving both environmental and economic sustainability. In this instance, varied value-added energy (e.g., thermal energy, combustible gases, H2 -rich gas, and bio-oils) and materials (e.g., biochar-based functional materials and ash to value-added materials) recovery from sewage sludge are analyzed. Meanwhile, the environmental assessment of thermochemical conversion technologies is evaluated. The further perspectives and recommendations are also outlined. These insights provide further perspectives and recommendations for enhanced sewage sludge management. Graphical abstract: Image 1 Highlights: Turning sewage sludge to energy and materials via thermochemical towards carbon neutrality. Challenges in thermochemical conversion of sewage sludge are assessed. Energy and materials recovery from sewage sludge via thermochemical conversion are elucidated. Future perspectives and recommendations for enhanced sewage sludge management are discussed.