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Xu F, Li J, He Z. Comparative analysis of adding cotton straw and corn stover to improve the combustion performance of municipal sludge. Sci Rep 2024; 14:6321. [PMID: 38491118 PMCID: PMC10943231 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-56842-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2023] [Accepted: 03/12/2024] [Indexed: 03/18/2024] Open
Abstract
To address issues of high water content and low calorific value during combustion of municipal sludge, we added water-absorbent, easy-to-burn agricultural waste to improve the overall combustion performance. Cotton straw or corn stover were added to the sludge and mixed at high-speed to compare their capacities for improving combustion performance. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) revealed that cotton straw or corn stover attached to the surface of the municipal sludge particles after blending, while analysis of thermogravimetric curves and activation energies of the blends showed that combustion and exhaustion rates increased significantly when 40% cotton straw or corn stover were blended into the sludge. Using the quadrilateral cut-ring boiler as a prototype, the mix of sludge with cotton straw or corn stover was simulated, and FLUENT software was used to obtain the temperature and pollutant emissions of the boiler. Sludge blended with cotton straw or corn stover increased furnace temperature and reduced SO2 and NO emissions, while that with cotton straw burned at higher temperatures with lower SO2 and NO emissions. Overall, the CO content of sludge combustion was lower when blended with proportions of cotton straw or corn stover under 50%. The findings of this study lay a theoretical foundation for treatment of municipal sludge according to local conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Feng Xu
- School of Civil Engineering and Architecture, Xinjiang University, Urumqu, 830049, China
- Faculty of Environment, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, 15001, China
| | - Jing Li
- School of Civil Engineering and Architecture, Xinjiang University, Urumqu, 830049, China.
| | - Zihan He
- School of Civil Engineering and Architecture, Xinjiang University, Urumqu, 830049, China
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Bagheri M, Wetterlund E. Introducing hydrothermal carbonization to sewage sludge treatment systems-a way of improving energy recovery and economic performance? WASTE MANAGEMENT (NEW YORK, N.Y.) 2023; 170:131-143. [PMID: 37573718 DOI: 10.1016/j.wasman.2023.08.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2023] [Revised: 06/30/2023] [Accepted: 08/05/2023] [Indexed: 08/15/2023]
Abstract
Hydrothermal carbonization (HTC) can mitigate the disposal costs of sewage sludge in a wastewater treatment plant. This study analyzes the impact of integrating HTC with anaerobic digestion (AD) and combustion from a combined energy and economic performance perspective. Net energy balance and investment opportunity are investigated for a number of technical scenarios considering i) different combinations of the technologies: AD + HTC, AD + thermal dryer + combustion, and AD + HTC + combustion, ii) different options for HTC process water treatment: wet oxidation (WO) + AD, and direct return to AD, and iii) different products: heat-only, heat and electricity, hydrochar, and phosphorus. The results show trade-offs between investment cost, self-supplement of heat, and output electricity when WO is used. In AD + HTC, net heat output decreases compared to the reference plant, but avoided disposal costs and hydrochar revenue result in profitable investment when the process water is directly returned to the AD. Although HTC has a lower heat demand than the thermal dryer, replacing the thermal dryer with HTC is only possible when AD, HTC, and combustion are connected, or when WO covers HTC's heat demand. HTC may impair the electricity production because of the necessity for a high-temperature heat source, whereas the thermal dryer can utilize a low-temperature heat source. In conclusion, energy advantages of HTC in AD + HTC + combustion are insufficient to provide a promising investment opportunity due to high investment costs of HTC. The investment opportunity improves by co-combustion of hydrochar and external sludge.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marzieh Bagheri
- Division of Energy Science, Luleå University of Technology, 97187 Luleå, Sweden.
| | - Elisabeth Wetterlund
- Division of Energy Science, Luleå University of Technology, 97187 Luleå, Sweden.
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Chan YH, Lock SSM, Chin BLF, Wong MK, Loy ACM, Foong SY, Yiin CL, Lam SS. Progress in thermochemical co-processing of biomass and sludge for sustainable energy, value-added products and circular economy. BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY 2023; 380:129061. [PMID: 37075852 DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2023.129061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2023] [Revised: 04/11/2023] [Accepted: 04/13/2023] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
To achieve the main goal of net zero carbon emission, the shift from conventional fossil-based energy/products to renewable and low carbon-based energy/products is necessary. Biomass has been perceived as a carbon-neutral source from which energy and value-added products can be derived, while sludge is a slurry waste that inherently contains high amount of minerals and organic matters. Hence, thermochemical co-processing of biomass wastes and sludge could create positive synergistic effects, resulting in enhanced performance of the process (higher conversion or yield) and improved qualities or characteristics of the products as compared to that of mono-processing. This review presents the current progress and development for various thermochemical techniques of biomass-sludge co-conversion to energy and high-value products, and the potential applications of these products from circular economy's point of view. Also, these technologies are discussed from economic and environmental standpoints, and the outlook towards technology maturation and successful commercialization is laid out.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi Herng Chan
- PETRONAS Research Sdn. Bhd. (PRSB), Lot 3288 & 3289, Off Jalan Ayer Itam, Kawasan Institusi Bangi, 43000 Kajang, Selangor, Malaysia.
| | - Serene Sow Mun Lock
- CO(2) Research Center (CO(2)RES), Department of Chemical Engineering, Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS, 32610 Seri Iskandar, Malaysia
| | - Bridgid Lai Fui Chin
- Department of Chemical and Energy Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Science, Curtin University Malaysia, CDT 250, 98009 Miri, Sarawak, Malaysia; Energy and Environment Research Cluster, Faculty of Engineering and Science, Curtin University Malaysia, CDT 250, 98009 Miri, Sarawak, Malaysia
| | - Mee Kee Wong
- PETRONAS Research Sdn. Bhd. (PRSB), Lot 3288 & 3289, Off Jalan Ayer Itam, Kawasan Institusi Bangi, 43000 Kajang, Selangor, Malaysia
| | | | - Shin Ying Foong
- Higher Institution Centre of Excellence (HICoE), Institute of Tropical Aquaculture and Fisheries (AKUATROP), Universiti Malaysia Terengganu, 21030 Kuala Nerus, Terengganu, Malaysia
| | - Chung Loong Yiin
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Energy Sustainability, Faculty of Engineering, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS), 94300 Kota Samarahan, Sarawak, Malaysia; Institute of Sustainable and Renewable Energy (ISuRE), Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS), 94300 Kota Samarahan, Sarawak, Malaysia
| | - Su Shiung Lam
- Higher Institution Centre of Excellence (HICoE), Institute of Tropical Aquaculture and Fisheries (AKUATROP), Universiti Malaysia Terengganu, 21030 Kuala Nerus, Terengganu, Malaysia; Center for Transdisciplinary Research, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences, Saveetha University, Chennai, India
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Valorization of Residues from Energy Conversion of Biomass for Advanced and Sustainable Material Applications. SUSTAINABILITY 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/su14094939] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
The reduction in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by shifting towards renewable energy sources to control global warming is one of the main challenges of the 21st century [...]
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