Title:
Selective Extraction of Liquid Fuel from Urban Wastewater Sludge by Microwave-Controlled Pyrolysis
Author(s):
Capodaglio, A.G., Dondi, D.
Document(s):
Paper
Poster
Abstract:
Sewage sludge, a residual product of wastewater treatment, still contains a substantial amount of energy, and its disposal is one of the most important cost factors (up to 30-50% of the total operational cost) in the balance sheets of wastewater treatment facilities. In this study, microwave-controlled pyrolysis of digested urban waste sludge was applied for the production of oil and (Syn)gas, that were afterwards characterized and compared to mainstream alternative fuels (biodiesels). An energetic balance of the process is performed and described. A key factor in deciding the positivity of the energetic balance (and therefore the economic validity of the process) is the correct "tuning" of the microwave source device: based on the experiments illustrated, an energy-positive recovery of resources on one side, and considerable reduction of sludge volumes (affecting ultimate sludge disposal costs) may be achieved with the proposed technology.
Keywords:
biodiesel, pyrolysis, microwaves, sustainable, wastewater sludge, sludge disposal
Topic:
Biomass Conversion Technologies for Liquid and Gaseous Fuels, Chemicals and Materials
Subtopic:
Pyrolysis and other biomass liquefaction technologies
Event:
24th European Biomass Conference and Exhibition
Session:
3DV.3.20
Pages:
1270 - 1274
ISBN:
978-88-89407-165
Paper DOI:
10.5071/24thEUBCE2016-3DV.3.20
Price:
FREE
