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Zhang W, Li R, Wu Y, Wu S, Huang S, Mei Y, Wen X, Zhang A. Sludge gasification: Mineral behaviours and the high-value utilisation of gasification ash. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2025; 379:124857. [PMID: 40064079 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2025.124857] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2024] [Revised: 02/01/2025] [Accepted: 03/04/2025] [Indexed: 03/22/2025]
Abstract
Gasification technology is one of the advantageous methods to dispose sewage sludge, and the sludge gasification ash has the potential to be reused as an auxiliary material for rock wool production. In this study, the mineral behaviour of two sludge samples (dyeing sludge and municipal sludge) in gasification process, as well as the impacts of sludge gasification ash on the properties and mineral behaviours of raw material of rock wool, were investigated through qualitative and quantitative analyses. Results show that the minerals in dyeing sludge are mainly Fe-oxides and Fe-silicates because of high Fe content, while that in municipal sludge are primarily silicates and phosphates containing Ca, Mg, Fe, and Al. The municipal sludge gasification ash presents superior performance than dyeing sludge gasification ash on decreasing ash fusion temperatures, mineral behaviours, and liquid-phase content of raw material of rock wool at high temperatures. With the addition of dyeing sludge gasification ash, iron spinel comes into existence and Fe-compounds contents increases significantly. Moreover, the heavy metals in sludge gasification ash samples are successfully solidified, presenting an extremely low risk of leaching toxicity. It is favorable to provide a theoretical foundation for the ash chemistry of sludge gasification and the value-added utilisation of sludge gasification ash.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weiwei Zhang
- School of Mechanical and Power Engineering, Henan Polytechnic University, Jiaozuo, 454003, China; Department of Chemical Engineering for Energy Resources, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, 200237, China.
| | - Ruipeng Li
- School of Mechanical and Power Engineering, Henan Polytechnic University, Jiaozuo, 454003, China
| | - Youqing Wu
- Department of Chemical Engineering for Energy Resources, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, 200237, China.
| | - Shiyong Wu
- Department of Chemical Engineering for Energy Resources, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, 200237, China
| | - Sheng Huang
- Department of Chemical Engineering for Energy Resources, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, 200237, China
| | - Yanyang Mei
- School of Mechanical and Power Engineering, Henan Polytechnic University, Jiaozuo, 454003, China
| | - Xiaoping Wen
- School of Mechanical and Power Engineering, Henan Polytechnic University, Jiaozuo, 454003, China
| | - Anchao Zhang
- School of Mechanical and Power Engineering, Henan Polytechnic University, Jiaozuo, 454003, China
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Manali A, Pothoulaki A, Gikas P. The state of the art in biosolids gasification. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2024; 364:121385. [PMID: 38875979 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2024.121385] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2023] [Revised: 05/23/2024] [Accepted: 06/03/2024] [Indexed: 06/16/2024]
Abstract
Biosolids is a by-product of wastewater treatment that needs to be further processed. Traditional biosolids treatment and disposal technologies are inefficient under the current demanding standards. Thermochemical conversion technologies have been employed for biosolids management, with gasification being the most promising due to the production of syngas, a gaseous product that may be used for the production of energy or high-added-value substances through reforming reactions. Gasification is a complex thermochemical process; its performance and yield are strongly affected by the type of feedstock, but also by the system configuration and process conditions. Gasification usually takes place at temperatures between 700 and 1,200 °C, but it may also occur at lower temperatures (above 375 °C: supercritical water gasification) or at higher temperatures (above 3,000 °C: plasma gasification). The present review briefly presents the biosolids management practices, focusing on the gasification process and syngas treatment, while the state of the art in biosolids gasification is critically presented and discussed. A number of types of gasifiers (more frequently fluidized bed, but also fixed bed, rotary kiln, downdraft, etc.), gasifying agents, and operational conditions have been used for biosolids gasification. The key results of the study regarding biosolids gasification are: (i) the increase of temperature and equivalence ratio enhances the gasification performance, resulting in high syngas yield and quality, high cold gas efficiency, and low tar and char production; (ii) the calorific value of the obtained syngas tends to decrease with the increase of equivalence ratio; and (iii) the use of catalysts has been proven to substantially improve the gasification performance, compared to non-catalytic gasification. The proper selection of technical parameters determines the effectiveness of biosolids gasification, which is considered as a promising technology for the energy recovery from biosolids, so to upgrade wastewater treatment and improve environmental quality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anthoula Manali
- Design of Environmental Processes Laboratory, School of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Technical University of Crete, 73100, Chania, Greece.
| | - Aikaterini Pothoulaki
- Design of Environmental Processes Laboratory, School of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Technical University of Crete, 73100, Chania, Greece.
| | - Petros Gikas
- Design of Environmental Processes Laboratory, School of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Technical University of Crete, 73100, Chania, Greece.
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Khan U, Bilal M, Adil HM, Darlington N, Khan A, Khan N, Ihsanullah I. Hydrogen from sewage sludge: Production methods, influencing factors, challenges, and prospects. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 919:170696. [PMID: 38340850 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.170696] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2023] [Revised: 12/20/2023] [Accepted: 02/02/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024]
Abstract
The rising global population and rapid industrialization have frequently resulted in a significant escalation in energy requirements. Hydrogen, renowned for its eco-friendly and renewable characteristics, has garnered substantial interest as a fuel alternative to address the energy needs currently fulfilled by fossil fuels. Embracing such energy substitutes holds pivotal importance in advancing environmental sustainability, aiding in the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions - the primary catalysts of global warming and climate fluctuations. This study elucidates recent trends in sewage sludge (SS)-derived hydrogen through diverse production pathways and critically evaluates the impact of varying parameters on hydrogen yield. Furthermore, a detailed analysis of the breakdown of the hydrogen generation process from SS is provided, along with an assessment of its economic dimensions. The review culminates by illuminating key obstacles in the adoption of this innovative technology, accompanied by practical recommendations to surmount these challenges. This comprehensive analysis is expected to attract considerable interest from stakeholders within the hydrogen production domain, fostering substantial engagement.
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Affiliation(s)
- Usman Khan
- Faculty of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Cracow University of Technology, Warszawska 24, Krakow 31-155, Poland
| | - Muhammad Bilal
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Monash University, Clayton, VIC 3800, Australia
| | - Hossain Md Adil
- Faculty of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Cracow University of Technology, Warszawska 24, Krakow 31-155, Poland
| | - Nnabodo Darlington
- Faculty of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Cracow University of Technology, Warszawska 24, Krakow 31-155, Poland
| | - Ahsan Khan
- Center of Excellence in Particle Technology and Material Processing, Faculty of Engineering, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Nouman Khan
- Faculty of Engineering Sciences, Ghulam Ishaq Khan Institute of Engineering Sciences and Technology, Topi 23640, KPK, Pakistan
| | - I Ihsanullah
- Chemical and Water Desalination Engineering Program, College of Engineering, University of Sharjah, Sharjah 27272, United Arab Emirates.
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Sandoval-Reyes M, He R, Semeano R, Ferrão P. Mathematical optimization of waste management systems: Methodological review and perspectives for application. WASTE MANAGEMENT (NEW YORK, N.Y.) 2024; 174:630-645. [PMID: 38159502 DOI: 10.1016/j.wasman.2023.10.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2023] [Revised: 10/02/2023] [Accepted: 10/04/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024]
Abstract
The transition to a circular economy through sustainable waste management (WM) follows different paths in each region, depending on its socioeconomic conditions and existing infrastructure. Mathematical optimization models are rigorous tools for informing local decision-making and identifying WM policy levers based on a variety of configurations. This review explores the pathways taken when designing WM optimization models (WM-OMs) that establish a network of waste valorization technologies. To standardize the literature review process, we propose a novel characterization method for examining, relating, and benchmarking the features of WM-OMs. After a thorough review of 58 articles published between 2015 and 2022, we assembled a comprehensive database to document the characteristics of these papers and the type of data reported in their case studies. We aim to provide a solid foundation for streamlining and enhancing future WM-OMs. Our work identifies various opportunities to improve the accuracy and reliability of WM-OMs. They include modeling thermo-chemical reactions in WM processes; considering regulatory, environmental, and political constraints; recognizing the informal sector; exploring the impact of marketing mechanisms on waste prevention and recycling; improving the traceability of case study data; specifying the rationale for uncertainty analysis (UA); and indicating the mathematical model (type, optimization algorithm, and equations). As many WM-OM authors have implemented UA without justifying their method choices, our review provides a pioneering guide for selecting the UA approach. Finally, we discuss the need for a trade-off between performance and practicality as models become more complex, making it critical to consider the specific needs of stakeholders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mexitli Sandoval-Reyes
- IN+/LARSyS, Centre for Innovation, Technology and Policy Research, Associação para a Investigação e Desenvolvimento do Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. António José de Almeida, n.° 12, 1000-043 Lisboa, Portugal; Tecnologico de Monterrey, School of Engineering and Sciences, Ave. Eugenio Garza Sada 2501, Monterrey, N.L., 64849, Mexico.
| | - Rui He
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA.
| | - Rui Semeano
- IN+/LARSyS, Centre for Innovation, Technology and Policy Research, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Rovisco Pais 1, 1049-001 Lisboa, Portugal.
| | - Paulo Ferrão
- IN+/LARSyS, Centre for Innovation, Technology and Policy Research, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Rovisco Pais 1, 1049-001 Lisboa, Portugal.
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Villora-Picó JJ, González-Arias J, Pastor-Pérez L, Odriozola JA, Reina TR. A review on high-pressure heterogeneous catalytic processes for gas-phase CO 2 valorization. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2024; 240:117520. [PMID: 37923108 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2023.117520] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2023] [Revised: 10/23/2023] [Accepted: 10/25/2023] [Indexed: 11/07/2023]
Abstract
This review discusses the importance of mitigating CO2 emissions by valorizing CO2 through high-pressure catalytic processes. It focuses on various key processes, including CO2 methanation, reverse water-gas shift, methane dry reforming, methanol, and dimethyl ether synthesis, emphasizing pros and cons of high-pressure operation. CO2 methanation, methanol synthesis, and dimethyl ether synthesis reactions are thermodynamically favored under high-pressure conditions. However, in the case of methane dry reforming and reverse water-gas shift, applying high pressure, results in decreased selectivity toward desired products and an increase in coke production, which can be detrimental to both the catalyst and the reaction system. Nevertheless, high-pressure utilization proves industrially advantageous for cost reduction when these processes are integrated with Fischer-Tropsch or methanol synthesis units. This review also compiles recent advances in heterogeneous catalysts design for high-pressure applications. By examining the impact of pressure on CO2 valorization and the state of the art, this work contributes to improving scientific understanding and optimizing these processes for sustainable CO2 management, as well as addressing challenges in high-pressure CO2 valorization that are crucial for industrial scaling-up. This includes the development of cost-effective and robust reactor materials and the development of low-cost catalysts that yield improved selectivity and long-term stability under realistic working environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- J J Villora-Picó
- Inorganic Chemistry Department and Materials Sciences Institute, University of Seville-CSIC, Seville, Spain.
| | - J González-Arias
- Inorganic Chemistry Department and Materials Sciences Institute, University of Seville-CSIC, Seville, Spain
| | - L Pastor-Pérez
- Inorganic Chemistry Department and Materials Sciences Institute, University of Seville-CSIC, Seville, Spain
| | - J A Odriozola
- Inorganic Chemistry Department and Materials Sciences Institute, University of Seville-CSIC, Seville, Spain
| | - T R Reina
- Inorganic Chemistry Department and Materials Sciences Institute, University of Seville-CSIC, Seville, Spain
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