Benchmarking environmental and economic indicators of sludge management alternatives aimed at enhanced energy efficiency and nutrient recovery

Arias, Ana; Feijoó, Gumersindo; Moreira, M.T.

doi:10.1016/j.jenvman.2020.111594

Cited by 22 publications

(11 citation statements)

References 42 publications

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“… To select a discount rate, the opportunity cost approach in terms of alternative investments with similar risks and times was used [ 34 ]. Here, a discount rate set to 5% was assumed, as in other studies [ 31 , 35 ]. Constant prices by excluding adjustments for inflation [ 36 ] were taken into account.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Increasing the Content of Olive Mill Wastewater in Biogas Reactors for a Sustainable Recovery: Methane Productivity and Life Cycle Analyses of the Process

Benalia

Falcone

Stillitano

et al. 2021

Foods

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Anaerobic codigestion of olive mill wastewater for renewable energy production constitutes a promising process to overcome management and environmental issues due to their conventional disposal. The present study aims at assessing biogas and biomethane production from olive mill wastewater by performing biochemical methane potential tests. Hence, mixtures containing 0% (blank), 20% and 30% olive mill wastewater, in volume, were experimented on under mesophilic conditions. In addition, life cycle assessment and life cycle costing were performed for sustainability analysis. Particularly, life cycle assessment allowed assessing the potential environmental impact resulting from the tested process, while life cycle costing in conjunction with specific economic indicators allowed performing the economic feasibility analysis. The research highlighted reliable outcomes: higher amounts of biogas (80.22 ± 24.49 NL.kgSV−1) and methane (47.68 ± 17.55 NL.kgSV−1) were obtained when implementing a higher amount of olive mill wastewater (30%) (v/v) in the batch reactors. According to life cycle assessment, the biogas ecoprofile was better when using 20% (v/v) olive mill wastewater. Similarly, the economic results demonstrated the profitability of the process, with better performances when using 20% (v/v) olive mill wastewater. These findings confirm the advantages from using farm and food industry by-products for the production of renewable energy as well as organic fertilizers, which could be used in situ to enhance farm sustainability.

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Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Increasing the Content of Olive Mill Wastewater in Biogas Reactors for a Sustainable Recovery: Methane Productivity and Life Cycle Analyses of the Process

Benalia

Falcone

Stillitano

et al. 2021

Foods

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“…As a result, biosolids treatment has become a primary issue alongside wastewater treatment (Figure 10.1). Biosolids disposal has been noted as a significant factor affecting treatment plant feasibility, with management accounting for a large share (25-65%) of operational costs (Arias et al, 2021;Mu'azu et al, 2019). Recycling, reuse, conversion, and nutrient or energy recovery have been identified as components of biosolids management (Shaddel et al, 2019).…”

Section: Overview Of Current Sludge Management Practicesmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Figure 10.2 shows the distribution of biosolids management methods from publicly-owned treatment works (POTWs) in the US as reported by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). In China, biosolids management methods include composting, co-combustion, thermal drying incineration, and cement manufacturing (Arias et al, 2021). Wastewater treatment generated approximately eight million tons of biosolids in the European Union (EU) in 2016 (European Commission, 2020).…”

Section: Overview Of Current Sludge Management Practicesmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Although sludge incineration maximizes solids reduction (thereby lowering land requirements) and yields energy recovery with a stable ash production, it has high capital and operation costs. Toxicity of the ash also limits the overall feasibility of the management strategy (Arias et al, 2021). In most cases, air emissions are an important issue and require additional treatment to meet air quality specifications.…”

Section: Compostingmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…An assessment of the environmental and economic sustainability of each sludge management option including landfilling, composting, incineration, digestion, and land application is needed. Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) and Life Cycle Cost Analysis (LCCA) have been used to provide a comparative assessment of environmental and economic impacts of sludge management alternatives (Arias et al, 2021;Lee et al, 2020;Yoshida et al, 2018).…”

Section: Environmental and Economic Life Cycle Assessment Of Sludge M...mentioning

confidence: 99%

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Pathways to Water Sector Decarbonization, Carbon Capture and Utilization

2022

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The water sector is in the middle of a paradigm shift from focusing on treatment and meeting discharge permit limits to integrated operation that also enables a circular water economy via water reuse, resource recovery, and system level planning and operation. While the sector has gone through different stages of such revolution, from improving energy efficiency to recovering renewable energy and resources, when it comes to the next step of achieving carbon neutrality or negative emission, it falls behind other infrastructure sectors such as energy and transportation. The water sector carries tremendous potential to decarbonize, from technological advancements, to operational optimization, to policy and behavioural changes. This book aims to fill an important gap for different stakeholders to gain knowledge and skills in this area and equip the water community to further decarbonize the industry and build a carbon-free society and economy. The book goes beyond technology overviews, rather it aims to provide a system level blueprint for decarbonization. It can be a reference book and textbook for graduate students, researchers, practitioners, consultants and policy makers, and it will provide practical guidance for stakeholders to analyse and implement decarbonization measures in their professions. ISBN: 9781789061789 (Paperback) ISBN: 9781789061796 (eBook) ISBN: 9781789061802 (ePUB)

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Comprehensive evaluation of sewage sludge anaerobic digestion process with different digestate treatments

Zhang

Wang

Peng³

et al. 2023

Environ Sci Pollut Res

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Benchmarking environmental and economic indicators of sludge management alternatives aimed at enhanced energy efficiency and nutrient recovery

Cited by 22 publications

References 42 publications

Increasing the Content of Olive Mill Wastewater in Biogas Reactors for a Sustainable Recovery: Methane Productivity and Life Cycle Analyses of the Process

Increasing the Content of Olive Mill Wastewater in Biogas Reactors for a Sustainable Recovery: Methane Productivity and Life Cycle Analyses of the Process

Pathways to Water Sector Decarbonization, Carbon Capture and Utilization

Comprehensive evaluation of sewage sludge anaerobic digestion process with different digestate treatments

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