Impact of Temperature and Residence Time on Sewage Sludge Pyrolysis for Combined Carbon Sequestration and Energy Production

Overview

Journal Heliyon

Specialty Social Sciences

Date 2024 Apr 10

PMID 38596039

Authors

M Halalsheh

K Shatanawi

R Shawabkeh

G Kassab

H Mohammad

M Adawi

S Ababneh

A Abdullah

N Ghantous

N Balah

S Almomani

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Environmental challenges related to sewage sludge call for urgent sustainable management of this resource. Sludge pyrolysis might be considered as a sustainable technology and is anticipated to support measures for mitigating climate change through carbon sequestration. The end products of the process have various applications, including the agricultural utilization of biochar, as well as the energy exploitation of bio-oil and syngas. In this research, sewage sludge was pyrolyzed at 500 °C, 600 °C, 750 °C, and 850 °C. At each temperature, pyrolysis was explored at 1hr, 2hrs, and 3hrs residence times. The ratio (H/C) was tapped to imply organic carbon stability and carbon sequestration potential. Optimum operating conditions were achieved at 750 °C and 2hrs residence time. Produced biochar had (H/C) ratio of 0.54, while nutrients' contents based on dry weight were 3.99%, 3.2%, and 0.6% for total nitrogen (TN), total phosphorus (TP), and total potassium (TK), respectively. Electrical conductivity of biochar was lesser than the feed sludge. Heavy metals in biochar aligned with the recommended values of the International Biochar Initiative. Heat content of condensable and non-condensable volatiles was sufficient to maintain the temperature of the furnace provided that PYREG process is considered. However, additional energy source is demanded for sludge drying.

Citing Articles

The fate and mobility of chromium, arsenic and zinc in municipal sewage sludge during the co-pyrolysis process with organic and inorganic chlorides.

Saffari M, Moazallahi M, Mashayekhi R Sci Rep. 2025; 15(1):2986.

PMID: 39848988 PMC: 11757719. DOI: 10.1038/s41598-025-87169-3.

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