Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Biochar Development in the Urban Environment: A Case Study of Sludge Char Production in Finland

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Sustainable Engineering

Part of the book series: Green Energy and Technology ((GREEN))

  • 199 Accesses

Abstract

Biochar, as one of the most prominent carbon drawdown technologies to emerge over the past few years, is intensely researched and tested. By no means a new creation, biochar has a rich history as a soil amendment in agriculture across the globe. However, the interest it raises now focuses more on its carbon sequestration potential and beneficial applications in the urban environment. This chapter offers an overview of the material, a literature review of its physical and chemical properties, production technologies, and uses in the urban context. It concentrates on biochar as a component in manufactured soils, water filtering systems, contaminated soil remediation methods, and construction material additives. Additionally, it investigates sewage sludge as an innovative feedstock for biochar production. Sewage sludge disposal is both environmentally and economically costly for wastewater treatment facilities, and biochar represents a viable way of upcycling. A case study of the largest sludge char pilot plant in Europe (in Finland) has been included, providing insights into its technical developments and operations.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 129.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Hardcover Book
USD 169.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • UNDP. Human Development Report 2020: The next frontier, Human development and the Anthropocene. 1 UN Plaza, New York: United Nations Development Programme, 2020.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rogelj, J., et al. Mitigation Pathways Compatible with 1.5°C in the Context of Sustainable Development. Global Warming of 1.5°C. An IPCC Special Report on the impacts of global warming of 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels… s.l. : Cambridge University Press for the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, 2018, p. Ch. 2.

    Google Scholar 

  • EBC. European Biochar Certificate – Guidelines for a Sustainable Production of Biochar. Arbaz, Switzerland: European Biochar Foundation, 2022.

    Google Scholar 

  • Biochar in agriculture – A systematic review of 26 global meta-analyses. Schmidt, Hans-Peter, et al. 11, 2021, GCB – Bio, Vol. 13, pp. 1708–1730.

    Google Scholar 

  • Biochar as a tool to reduce the agricultural greenhouse-gas burden – knowns, unknowns and future research needs. Kammann, Claudia, et al. 2017, Journal of Environmental Engineering and Landscape Management, pp. 114–139.

    Google Scholar 

  • Azzi, Elias S. Biochar systems across scales in Sweden. Stockholm: KTH – Doctoral Thesis in Industrial Ecology, 2021.

    Google Scholar 

  • The effect of pyrolysis conditions on biochar stability as determined by three methods. Crombie, Kyle, et al. 2013, Global Change Biology (GCB) Bioenergy, pp. 122–131.

    Google Scholar 

  • Feedstock choice, pyrolysis temperature and type infuence biochar characteristics: a comprehensive meta-data analysis review. Ippolito, James A., et al. 2020, Biochar, pp. 421–438.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pokharel et al. Biochar-Assisted Wastewater Treatment and Waste Valorization. Applications of Biochar for Environmental Safety. [Online] 2020. https://www.intechopen.com/chapters/71992.

  • UNEP. Cities and climate change. UN Environment Programme – Resource Efficiency – Cities. [Online] 2022. https://www.unep.org/explore-topics/resource-efficiency/what-we-do/cities/cities-and-climate-change

  • The health benefits of the great outdoors: A systematic review and meta-analysis of greenspace exposure and health outcomes. Bennett, Caoimhe Twohig – and Jones, Andy. 2018, Environmental Research, Vol. 166, pp. 628–637.

    Google Scholar 

  • The contribution of constructed green infrastructure to urban biodiversity: A synthesis and meta-analysis. Filazzola et al. 2019, Journal of Applied Ecology, Vol. 56, pp. 2131–2143.

    Google Scholar 

  • High carbon losses from established growing sites delay the carbon sequestration benefits of street tree plantings – a case study in Helsinki, Finland. Riikonen et al. 2017, Urban Forestry & Urban Greening, Vol. 26, pp. 85–94.

    Google Scholar 

  • Planting Urban Trees with Biochar. Embrén, Bjorn. Arbaz, Switzerland: s.n., 2016, Biochar Journal. ISSN 2297-1114.

    Google Scholar 

  • A Review of Green Roof: Definition, History, Evolution and Functions. Abass, F, et al. Melaka, Malaysia: s.n., 2020. IOP Conference Series: Materials Science and Engineering. Vol. 713.

    Google Scholar 

  • Setherton, Gregg. Green Roof Construction – How to Guide. Permagard. [Online] 2022. https://www.permagard.co.uk/advice/green-roof-construction.

  • Performance of Blue-Green Roofs in Cold Climates: A Scoping Review. Andenæs, Erlend, et al. s.l. : Norwegian University of Science and Technology, 2018, buildings.

    Google Scholar 

  • Biochar makes green roof substrates lighter and improves watersupply to plants. Cao, Cuong T.N., et al. 2014, Ecological Engineering, pp. 368–374.

    Google Scholar 

  • Biochar Improves Sustainability of Green Roofs via Regulate of Soil Microbial Communities. Chen, Haoming, et al. 2021, agriculture.

    Google Scholar 

  • Biochar amendment in the green roof substrate affects runoff quality and quantity. Kuoppamäkia, Kirsi, et al. 2015, Ecological Engineering, pp. 1–9.

    Google Scholar 

  • Estimation QS. How To Build a Football Field for your Professional Club, Community or Backyard – Natural Grass and Artificial Turf Pitch. [Online] n.d. https://estimationqs.com/how-to-make-a-football-field/.

  • Major, Julie. Guidelines on Practical Aspects of Biochar Application to Field Soil in Various Soil Management Systems. s.l. : International Biochar Initiative, 2010.

    Google Scholar 

  • IPCC. Global warming of 1.5°C Special Report on the impacts of global warming of 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels and related global greenhouse gas emission pathways, in the context of strengthening the global response to the threat of climate change. s.l. : Edited by: Masson-Delmotte, V., P. Zhai, H.-O. Pörtner, D. Roberts, J. Skea, P.R. Shukla, A. Pirani, W. Moufouma-Okia, C. Péan, R. Pidcock, S. Connors, J.B.R. Matthews, Y. Chen, X. Zhou, M.I. Gomis, E. Lonnoy, T. Maycock, M. Tignor, and T. Waterfield, 2018.

    Google Scholar 

  • Influence of biochar on the soil water retention characteristics (SWRC): Potential application in geotechnical engineering structures. Hussaina et al. 2019, Soil & Tillage Research.

    Google Scholar 

  • Peltosaari et al. Storm water management in the city of Helsinki. [Online] 30 6 2020. https://www.bsrwater.eu/news/storm-water-management-helsinki.

  • Reduced carbon footprints of buildings: new Finnish standards and assessments. Kuittinen, Matti and Häkkinen, Tarja. 2020, Buildings and Cities, pp. 182–197.

    Google Scholar 

  • The use of biochar as building material. Schmidt et al. 2014, Biochar Journal.

    Google Scholar 

  • Snøhetta. Biocrete – a carbon negative concrete. Snøhetta. [Online] 4 2022. https://snohetta.com/project/558-biocrete-a-carbon-negative-concrete.

  • Biochar for asphalt modification: A case of high-temperature properties improvement. Ma, Feng, et al. 2022, Science of The Total Environment, Vol. 804.

    Google Scholar 

  • The Historical Development of Sewers Worldwide. Feo, Giovanni De, et al. 2014, Sustainability, Vol. 6, pp. 3936–3974.

    Google Scholar 

  • UN Water. Water Quality and Wastewater. [Online] 2017. https://www.unwater.org/water-facts/quality-and-wastewater/.

  • Properties and Beneficial Uses of (Bio)Chars, with Special Attention to Products from Sewage Sludge Pyrolysis. Callegari, Arianna and Capodaglio, Andrea Giuseppe. 20, 2018, resources, Vol. 7.

    Google Scholar 

  • EC. Disposal and recycling routes for sewage sludge – Scientific and Technical Report. Luxembourg: European Commission, 2001.

    Google Scholar 

  • A sustainable paradigm of sewage sludge biochar: Valorization, opportunities, challenges and future prospects. Singh, Simranjeet, et al. 2020, Journal of Cleaner Production, Vol. 269.

    Google Scholar 

  • The Evaluation of Hazards to Man and the Environment during the Composting of Sewage Sludge. Lasaridi, Konstantia-Ekaterini, et al. 2018, Sustainability, Vol. 10.

    Google Scholar 

  • Occurrence of organic microcontaminants in the wastewater treatment process. A mini review. Ratola, Nuno, et al. 2012, Journal of Hazardous Materials.

    Google Scholar 

  • The urgent need for risk assessment on the antibiotic resistance spread via sewage sludge land application. Bondarczuk, Kinga, Markowicz, Anna and Piotrowska-Seget, Zofia. 2016, Environmental International, Vol. 87, pp. 49–55.

    Google Scholar 

  • Biosolids: What are the different types of reuse? Collivignarelli, Maria Cristina, et al. 2019, Journal of Cleaner Production, Vol. 238.

    Google Scholar 

  • Production, properties, and catalytic applications of sludge derived biochar for environmental remediation. Chen, Yi-di, et al. 2020, Water Research, Vol. 187.

    Google Scholar 

  • Enhanced technology based for sewage sludge deep dewatering: A critical review. Cao, Bingdi, et al. 2021, Water Research, Vol. 189.

    Google Scholar 

  • Influence of pyrolysis temperature on production and nutrient properties of wastewater sludge biochar. Hossain, M.K., et al. 2011, Journal of Environmental Management, Vol. 92, pp. 223–228.

    Google Scholar 

  • Characteristics of Biochars Derived from the Pyrolysis and Co-Pyrolysis of Rubberwood Sawdust and Sewage Sludge for Further Applications. Ali, Liaqat, et al. 7, Basel, Switzerland: sustainability, 2022, Vol. 14.

    Google Scholar 

  • Structure characteristics of bio-char generated from co-pyrolysis of wooden waste and wet municipal sewage sludge. Chen, Q., et al. 2019, Fuel Processing Technology, Vol. 183, pp. 48–54.

    Google Scholar 

  • Conversion of sewage sludge into biochar: A potential resource in water and wastewater treatment. Gopinath, Ashitha, et al. 2021, Environmental Research, Vol. 194.

    Google Scholar 

  • A meta-analysis on biochar’s effects on soil water properties–New insights and future research challenges. Edeh, I.G., MaÅ¡ek, O. and Buss, W. 2020, The Science of the Total Environment, Vol. 714.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pore structure of wastewater sludge chars and their water retention impacts in different soils. Turunen, Mika, et al. 2021, Biosystems Engineering, Vol. 206.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sludge-based biochar activation to enhance Pb(II) adsorption. Zhang, J., et al. 2019, Fuel, Vol. 252, pp. 101–108.

    Google Scholar 

  • Effect of pyrolysis temperatures on freely dissolved polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) concentrations in sewage sludge-derived biochars. A. ZieliÅ„ska, P. Oleszczuk. 2016, Chemosphere, Vol. 153, pp. 68–74.

    Google Scholar 

  • Characterization and Pb(II) removal potential of corn straw- and municipal sludge-derived biochars. Wang, Shujuan, et al. 9, 2017, Royal Society Open Science, Vol. 4.

    Google Scholar 

  • Utilization of sludge based adsorbents for the removal of various pollutants: A review. Devi, Parmila and Saroha, Anil K. 2017, Science of The Total Environment, Vol. 578, pp. 16–33.

    Google Scholar 

  • Nordic Biochar Network. Nordic Biochar Map. [Online] 2021. https://www.nordicbiochar.org/about-us/map/.

  • HSY. Helsinki Region Environmental Services Authority. Viikinmäki wastewater treatment plant. [Online] 2018. https://niini.fi/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/HSY0014_Viikinmaki_wastewater_treatment_plant.pdf.

  • HSY. Comprehensive recovery of nutrients and carbon from wastewater (RAHI). [Online] 2021. https://www.hsy.fi/en/environmental-information/projektit-ja-hankkeet/rahi-project/.

  • TECAM. Tecam-Sludge and slurry waste-Waste-to-product technology. [Online] 2022. https://tecamgroup.com/waste-valorization/sludge-and-slurry-waste/.

Download references

Acknowledgments

This work has been funded by Carbon Neutral Cities Alliance and by the Strategic Research Council grant number 352478 at the Academy of Finland.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Built Environment, Aalto University, Espoo, Finland

    Oana Iliescu

  2. Department of Design, Aalto University, Espoo, Finland

    Mikko Jalas

Authors
  1. Oana Iliescu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Mikko Jalas
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Oana Iliescu .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Mount Royal University, Calgary, AB, Canada

    Israel Sunday Dunmade

  2. Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Built Environment and Information Technology, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa

    Michael Olawale Daramola

  3. Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Built Environment and Information Technology, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa

    Samuel Ayodele Iwarere

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2024 The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG

About this chapter

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this chapter

Iliescu, O., Jalas, M. (2024). Biochar Development in the Urban Environment: A Case Study of Sludge Char Production in Finland. In: Dunmade, I.S., Daramola, M.O., Iwarere, S.A. (eds) Sustainable Engineering. Green Energy and Technology. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-47215-2_8

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-47215-2_8

  • Published:

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-031-47214-5

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-031-47215-2

  • eBook Packages: EngineeringEngineering (R0)

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation