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Towards Circular Economy: Evaluation of Sewage Sludge Biogas Solutions

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  • Andrey Kiselev

    (Department of Investment Program, Municipal Unitary Enterprise for Water Supply and Sewerage, Tsarskaya str., 4, 620075 Ekaterinburg, Russia
    Department of Environmental Economics, Ural Federal University, Mira str., 19, 620002 Ekaterinburg, Russia)

  • Elena Magaril

    (Department of Environmental Economics, Ural Federal University, Mira str., 19, 620002 Ekaterinburg, Russia)

  • Romen Magaril

    (Department of Oil and Gas Processing Technology, Tyumen Industrial University, Volodarskogo str., 38, 625000 Tyumen, Russian)

  • Deborah Panepinto

    (Department of Environment, Land and Infrastructure Engineering, Politecnico di Torino, Corso Duca degli Abruzzi, 24, 10129 Torino, Italy)

  • Marco Ravina

    (Department of Environment, Land and Infrastructure Engineering, Politecnico di Torino, Corso Duca degli Abruzzi, 24, 10129 Torino, Italy)

  • Maria Chiara Zanetti

    (Department of Environment, Land and Infrastructure Engineering, Politecnico di Torino, Corso Duca degli Abruzzi, 24, 10129 Torino, Italy)

Abstract

Today it is obvious that the existing linear model of the economy does not correlate with the principles of sustainable development. The circular economy model can replace the current linear economy whilst addressing the issues of environmental deterioration, social equity and long-term economic growth. In the context of effectively implementing circular economy objectives, particular importance should be attributed to wastewater treatment sludge management, due to the possibility of recovering valuable raw materials and using its energy potential. Anaerobic digestion is one of the methods of recovering energy from sewage sludge. The main goal of this study is to make a preliminary evaluation of possible sewage sludge biogas and biomethane solutions using a computation model called MCBioCH 4 and compare its results with laboratory tests of sewage sludge fermentation from the northern wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) of Ekaterinburg (Russian Federation). Laboratory experiments were conducted to determine the volume and qualitative composition of biogas produced throughout anaerobic fermentation of raw materials coming from the WWTP. The specific productivity of samples ranged between 308.46 Nm 3 /t vs and 583.08 Nm 3 /t vs depending if mesophilic or thermophilic conditions were analyzed, or if the experiment was conducted with or without sludge pre-treatment. Output values from the laboratory were used as input for MCBioCH 4 to calculate the flow of biogas or biomethane produced. For the case study of Ekaterinburg two possible energy conversion options were selected: B-H (biogas combustion with cogeneration of electrical and thermal energy) and M-T (biomethane to be used in transports). The results of the energy module showed a net energy content of the biogas between 6575 MWh/year and 7200 MWh/year. Both options yielded a favorable greenhouse gas (GHG) balance, meaning that avoided emissions are higher than produced emissions. The results discussion also showed that, in this case, the B-H option is preferable to the M-T option. The implementation of the biogas/biomethane energy conversion system in Ekaterinburg WWTP necessitates further investigations to clarify the remaining technical and economic aspects

Suggested Citation

  • Andrey Kiselev & Elena Magaril & Romen Magaril & Deborah Panepinto & Marco Ravina & Maria Chiara Zanetti, 2019. "Towards Circular Economy: Evaluation of Sewage Sludge Biogas Solutions," Resources, MDPI, vol. 8(2), pages 1-19, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jresou:v:8:y:2019:i:2:p:91-:d:229113
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    2. Odabaş Baş, Gözde & Aydınalp Köksal, Merih, 2022. "Environmental and techno-economic analysis of the integration of biogas and solar power systems into urban wastewater treatment plants," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 196(C), pages 579-597.
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    6. Gupta, Akash Som & Khatiwada, Dilip, 2024. "Investigating the sustainability of biogas recovery systems in wastewater treatment plants- A circular bioeconomy approach," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 199(C).
    7. Pushpa Jha, 2019. "Adsorptive Findings on Selected Biomasses for Removal of Phenol from Aqueous Solutions," Resources, MDPI, vol. 8(4), pages 1-14, November.
    8. Sakaveli, Foteini & Petala, Maria & Tsiridis, Vasilios & Karas, Panagiotis A. & Karpouzas, Dimitrios G. & Darakas, Efthymios, 2023. "Effect of attapulgite on anaerobic digestion of primary sludge and downstream valorization of produced biosolids," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 217(C).
    9. Débora Cynamon Kligerman & Aline Stelling Zanatta & Graziella de Araújo Toledo & Joseli Maria da Rocha Nogueira, 2023. "Path toward Sustainability in Wastewater Management in Brazil," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(16), pages 1-19, August.
    10. Jena, Priyaranjan & Raj, Reetu & Tirkey, Jeewan Vachan, 2023. "Thermodynamic performance study and RSM based optimization of SI engine using sewage sludge producer gas blend with methane," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 273(C).
    11. Marzena Smol, 2020. "Inventory of Wastes Generated in Polish Sewage Sludge Incineration Plants and Their Possible Circular Management Directions," Resources, MDPI, vol. 9(8), pages 1-24, July.
    12. A.V. Kiselev & E.R. Magaril & I.S. Glushankova & L.V. Rudakova, 2020. "Analysis of Sewage Sludge Alternatives Towards Circular Economy," Journal of Applied Economic Research, Graduate School of Economics and Management, Ural Federal University, vol. 19(3), pages 329-347.

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