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Hydrothermal Carbonization of Sewage Sludge: New Improvements in Phosphatic Fertilizer Production and Process Water Treatment Using Freeze Concentration

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  • Gabriel Gerner

    (Institute of Natural Resource Sciences, Zurich University of Applied Sciences (ZHAW), Campus Grüental, CH-8820 Wädenswil, Switzerland)

  • Jae Wook Chung

    (Institute of Natural Resource Sciences, Zurich University of Applied Sciences (ZHAW), Campus Grüental, CH-8820 Wädenswil, Switzerland)

  • Luca Meyer

    (Institute of Natural Resource Sciences, Zurich University of Applied Sciences (ZHAW), Campus Grüental, CH-8820 Wädenswil, Switzerland)

  • Rahel Wanner

    (Institute of Natural Resource Sciences, Zurich University of Applied Sciences (ZHAW), Campus Grüental, CH-8820 Wädenswil, Switzerland)

  • Simon Heiniger

    (Institute of Natural Resource Sciences, Zurich University of Applied Sciences (ZHAW), Campus Grüental, CH-8820 Wädenswil, Switzerland)

  • Daniel Seiler

    (Institute of Natural Resource Sciences, Zurich University of Applied Sciences (ZHAW), Campus Grüental, CH-8820 Wädenswil, Switzerland)

  • Rolf Krebs

    (Institute of Natural Resource Sciences, Zurich University of Applied Sciences (ZHAW), Campus Grüental, CH-8820 Wädenswil, Switzerland)

  • Alexander Treichler

    (Institute of Chemistry and Biotechnology, Zurich University of Applied Sciences (ZHAW), Campus Reidbach, CH-8820 Wädenswil, Switzerland)

  • Roman Kontic

    (School of Engineering, Zurich University of Applied Sciences (ZHAW), CH-8401 Winterthur, Switzerland)

  • Beatrice Kulli

    (Institute of Natural Resource Sciences, Zurich University of Applied Sciences (ZHAW), Campus Grüental, CH-8820 Wädenswil, Switzerland)

Abstract

In recent years, promising developments in the hydrothermal carbonization (HTC) of sewage sludge, as well as the potential to reclaim phosphorus and nitrogen, have emerged. In this study, the HTC of digested sewage sludge (DSS) was investigated for the downstream production of heavy metal (HM)-free fertilizer and the use of freeze concentration (FC) as a novel technology for process water treatment. To obtain clean fertilizer, phosphatic acid extracts were first treated with ion-exchange resins to remove dissolved HM, as well as phosphorus precipitating agents (i.e., aluminum and iron). Over 98% of the aluminum (Al) and 97% of the iron (Fe) could be removed in a single treatment step. The purified extract was then used for the precipitation of HM-free struvite crystals, with P-recovery rates exceeding 89%. Process water (PW) makes up the largest share of the two main HTC-products (i.e., hydrochar and PW) and is very rich in organic compounds. Compared to evaporation or membrane separation, FC is a promising technology for concentrating solutes from PW. Separation experiments resulted in the recovery of over 90% of the dissolved compounds in the concentrate. In our study, the concentrate was later utilized as an ammonium source for struvite precipitation, and the subsequent aerobic digestion of the remaining ice water resulted in an 85% reduction in chemical oxygen demand (COD) in 15 days.

Suggested Citation

  • Gabriel Gerner & Jae Wook Chung & Luca Meyer & Rahel Wanner & Simon Heiniger & Daniel Seiler & Rolf Krebs & Alexander Treichler & Roman Kontic & Beatrice Kulli, 2023. "Hydrothermal Carbonization of Sewage Sludge: New Improvements in Phosphatic Fertilizer Production and Process Water Treatment Using Freeze Concentration," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(20), pages 1-19, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:16:y:2023:i:20:p:7027-:d:1256923
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Gabriel Gerner & Luca Meyer & Rahel Wanner & Thomas Keller & Rolf Krebs, 2021. "Sewage Sludge Treatment by Hydrothermal Carbonization: Feasibility Study for Sustainable Nutrient Recovery and Fuel Production," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(9), pages 1-12, May.
    2. Imane Uald-lamkaddam & Arezoo Dadrasnia & Laia Llenas & Sergio Ponsá & Joan Colón & Esther Vega & Mabel Mora, 2021. "Application of Freeze Concentration Technologies to Valorize Nutrient-Rich Effluents Generated from the Anaerobic Digestion of Agro-Industrial Wastes," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(24), pages 1-17, December.
    3. Dana Cordell & Stuart White, 2011. "Peak Phosphorus: Clarifying the Key Issues of a Vigorous Debate about Long-Term Phosphorus Security," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 3(10), pages 1-23, October.
    4. Jonas Mehr & Michael Jedelhauser & Claudia R. Binder, 2018. "Transition of the Swiss Phosphorus System towards a Circular Economy—Part 1: Current State and Historical Developments," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(5), pages 1-17, May.
    5. Taina Lühmann & Benjamin Wirth, 2020. "Sewage Sludge Valorization via Hydrothermal Carbonization: Optimizing Dewaterability and Phosphorus Release," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(17), pages 1-16, August.
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