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Process Waters from Hydrothermal Carbonization of Sludge: Characteristics and Possible Valorization Pathways

Author

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  • Michela Langone

    (Laboratory of Technologies for the efficient use and management of water and wastewater, Italian National Agency for New Technologies, Energy and Sustainable Economic Development (ENEA), 00123 Roma, Italy)

  • Daniele Basso

    (HBI S.r.l., 39100 Bolzano, Italy)

Abstract

Hydrothermal carbonization (HTC) is an innovative process capable of converting wet biodegradable residues into value-added materials, such as hydrochar. HTC has been studied for decades, however, a lack of detailed information on the production and composition of the process water has been highlighted by several authors. In this paper the state of the art of the knowledge on this by-product is analyzed, with attention to HTC applied to municipal and agro-industrial anaerobic digestion digestate. The chemical and physical characteristics of the process water obtained at different HTC conditions are compared along with pH, color, organic matter, nutrients, heavy metals and toxic compounds. The possibility of recovering nutrients and other valorization pathways is analyzed and technical feasibility constraints are reported. Finally, the paper describes the main companies which are investing actively in proposing HTC technology towards improving an effective process water valorization.

Suggested Citation

  • Michela Langone & Daniele Basso, 2020. "Process Waters from Hydrothermal Carbonization of Sludge: Characteristics and Possible Valorization Pathways," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(18), pages 1-33, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:17:y:2020:i:18:p:6618-:d:412166
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    3. Giuseppe Campo & Alberto Cerutti & Claudio Lastella & Aldo Leo & Deborah Panepinto & Mariachiara Zanetti & Barbara Ruffino, 2021. "Production and Destination of Sewage Sludge in the Piemonte Region (Italy): The Results of a Survey for a Future Sustainable Management," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(7), pages 1-13, March.
    4. Abu-Taher Jamal-Uddin & M. Toufiq Reza & Omid Norouzi & Shakirudeen A. Salaudeen & Animesh Dutta & Richard G. Zytner, 2023. "Recovery and Reuse of Valuable Chemicals Derived from Hydrothermal Carbonization Process Liquid," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(2), pages 1-15, January.
    5. Yuchiao Lu & Hanmin Yang & Andrey V. Karasev & Chuan Wang & Pär G. Jönsson, 2022. "Applications of Hydrochar and Charcoal in the Iron and Steelmaking Industry—Part 1: Characterization of Carbonaceous Materials," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(15), pages 1-27, August.
    6. Giovanni Gadaleta & Francesco Todaro & Annamaria Giuliano & Sabino De Gisi & Michele Notarnicola, 2024. "Co-Treatment of Food Waste and Municipal Sewage Sludge: Technical and Environmental Review of Biological and Thermal Technologies," Clean Technol., MDPI, vol. 6(3), pages 1-34, July.
    7. Ding, Yan & Li, Debo & Zhang, Xiaowei & Lv, Maochao & Qin, Shiru & Zhao, Peitao & Guo, Chuwen, 2024. "Research on the co-combustion characteristics and kinetics of rice husk hydrochar with anthracite," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 299(C).
    8. Jiahua Xia & Juan Ji & Zhiqiang Hu & Ting Rao & Ankang Liu & Jingqian Ma & Yongjun Sun, 2022. "Application of Advanced Oxidation Technology in Sludge Conditioning and Dewatering: A Critical Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(15), pages 1-14, July.

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