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Torrefaction as a Valorization Method Used Prior to the Gasification of Sewage Sludge

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  • Halina Pawlak-Kruczek

    (Department of Boilers, Burners and Energy Systems; Faculty of Mechanical and Power Engineering; Wroclaw University of Science and Technology, 50-370 Wrocław, Poland)

  • Mateusz Wnukowski

    (Department of Boilers, Burners and Energy Systems; Faculty of Mechanical and Power Engineering; Wroclaw University of Science and Technology, 50-370 Wrocław, Poland)

  • Lukasz Niedzwiecki

    (Department of Boilers, Burners and Energy Systems; Faculty of Mechanical and Power Engineering; Wroclaw University of Science and Technology, 50-370 Wrocław, Poland)

  • Michał Czerep

    (Department of Boilers, Burners and Energy Systems; Faculty of Mechanical and Power Engineering; Wroclaw University of Science and Technology, 50-370 Wrocław, Poland)

  • Mateusz Kowal

    (Department of Boilers, Burners and Energy Systems; Faculty of Mechanical and Power Engineering; Wroclaw University of Science and Technology, 50-370 Wrocław, Poland)

  • Krystian Krochmalny

    (Department of Boilers, Burners and Energy Systems; Faculty of Mechanical and Power Engineering; Wroclaw University of Science and Technology, 50-370 Wrocław, Poland)

  • Jacek Zgóra

    (Department of Boilers, Burners and Energy Systems; Faculty of Mechanical and Power Engineering; Wroclaw University of Science and Technology, 50-370 Wrocław, Poland)

  • Michał Ostrycharczyk

    (Department of Boilers, Burners and Energy Systems; Faculty of Mechanical and Power Engineering; Wroclaw University of Science and Technology, 50-370 Wrocław, Poland)

  • Marcin Baranowski

    (Department of Boilers, Burners and Energy Systems; Faculty of Mechanical and Power Engineering; Wroclaw University of Science and Technology, 50-370 Wrocław, Poland)

  • Wilhelm Jan Tic

    (Department of Environmental Engineering, Opole University of Technology, 45-758 Opole, Poland
    West Technology &Trading Polska Sp. z o.o., 45-641 Opole, Poland)

  • Joanna Guziałowska-Tic

    (Department of Environmental Engineering, Opole University of Technology, 45-758 Opole, Poland)

Abstract

The gasification and torrefaction of sewage sludge have the potential to make the thermal utilization of sewage sludge fully sustainable, thus limiting the use of expensive fossil fuels in the process. This includes sustainability in terms of electricity consumption. Although a great deal of work has been performed so far regarding the gasification of sewage sludge and some investigations have been performed in the area of its torrefaction, there is still a gap in terms of the influence of the torrefaction of the sewage sludge on its subsequent gasification. This study presents the results from the torrefaction tests, performed on a pilot scale reactor, as well as two consecutive steam gasification tests, performed in an allothermal fixed bed gasifier, in order to determine if torrefaction can be deemed as a primary method of the reduction of tar content for the producer gas, from the aforementioned gasification process. A comparative analysis is performed based on the results obtained during both tests, with special emphasis on the concentrations of condensable compounds (tars). The obtained results show that the torrefaction of sewage sludge, performed prior to gasification, can indeed have a positive influence on the gas quality. This is beneficial especially in terms of the content of heavy tars with melting points above 40 °C.

Suggested Citation

  • Halina Pawlak-Kruczek & Mateusz Wnukowski & Lukasz Niedzwiecki & Michał Czerep & Mateusz Kowal & Krystian Krochmalny & Jacek Zgóra & Michał Ostrycharczyk & Marcin Baranowski & Wilhelm Jan Tic & Joanna, 2019. "Torrefaction as a Valorization Method Used Prior to the Gasification of Sewage Sludge," Energies, MDPI, vol. 12(1), pages 1-18, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:12:y:2019:i:1:p:175-:d:195275
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    2. Paweł Ziółkowski & Stanisław Głuch & Piotr Józef Ziółkowski & Janusz Badur, 2022. "Compact High Efficiency and Zero-Emission Gas-Fired Power Plant with Oxy-Combustion and Carbon Capture," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(7), pages 1-39, April.
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    4. Vishwajeet & Halina Pawlak-Kruczek & Marcin Baranowski & Michał Czerep & Artur Chorążyczewski & Krystian Krochmalny & Michał Ostrycharczyk & Paweł Ziółkowski & Paweł Madejski & Tadeusz Mączka & Amit A, 2022. "Entrained Flow Plasma Gasification of Sewage Sludge–Proof-of-Concept and Fate of Inorganics," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(5), pages 1-14, March.
    5. Szymon Szufa & Grzegorz Wielgosiński & Piotr Piersa & Justyna Czerwińska & Maria Dzikuć & Łukasz Adrian & Wiktoria Lewandowska & Marta Marczak, 2020. "Torrefaction of Straw from Oats and Maize for Use as a Fuel and Additive to Organic Fertilizers—TGA Analysis, Kinetics as Products for Agricultural Purposes," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(8), pages 1-30, April.

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