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Integrated Thermal Conversion and Anaerobic Digestion for Sludge Management in Wastewater Treatment Plants

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Abstract

This study presented a techno-economic evaluation of the thermal conversion of sludge and digestate integrated with anaerobic digestion (AD) as a means of waste volume reduction, carbon emissions mitigation and energy recovery in wastewater treatment plants. The study was supported by empirical data and thermodynamic modelling of processes involved in sludge conversion. A gasification plant (6 MWel) with combustion engines produced sufficient power for treating wastewater (1.6 Mp.e.) and 130 tpd dry sludge. The integration of AD with gasification increased total energy coverage by up to 46%. Treatment costs between €132 and 210 dry t−1 were achieved and the associated levelised costs of electricity (23–85c kWh−1) were within the cost range known for biomass digestion and other CHP technologies. Biomass and waste co-processing was evaluated in order to avoid heat and electricity deficits due to variations in sludge availability and properties, showing potential for reducing carbon footprint and associated electricity costs.

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Acknowledgements

The authors would like to acknowledge technical discussions and contributions by Fiona Lane from Irish Water and Mick Henry, Aisling O’Connor and Eamonn Merriman from Environmental Protection Agency of Ireland.

Funding

This work was supported by the Environmental Protection Agency of Ireland (Grant Number 2014-RE-DS-3), the Irish Research Council (EPSPD-2015-54), Science Foundation Ireland via the Research Centre for Marine and Renewable Energy in Ireland (Spoke 3, Grant Number 12/RC/2302), and Gas Networks Ireland-Gas Innovation Group (Grant Number 2015-SR-003).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Mechanical Engineering, National University of Ireland Galway, Galway, Ireland

    Karla Dussan & Rory F. D. Monaghan

  2. Ryan Institute for Environmental, Marine and Energy Research, Galway, Ireland

    Karla Dussan & Rory F. D. Monaghan

  3. Research Centre for Marine and Renewable Energy, Galway, Ireland

    Karla Dussan & Rory F. D. Monaghan

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  1. Karla Dussan
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  2. Rory F. D. Monaghan
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Correspondence to Karla Dussan.

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Dussan, K., Monaghan, R.F.D. Integrated Thermal Conversion and Anaerobic Digestion for Sludge Management in Wastewater Treatment Plants. Waste Biomass Valor 9, 65–85 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12649-016-9812-x

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