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Sewage Sludge Biorefinery for Circular Economy

Author

Listed:
  • Daniele Cecconet

    (Department of Civil Engineering and Architecture, University of Pavia, Via Ferrata 3, 27100 Pavia, Italy)

  • Andrea G. Capodaglio

    (Department of Civil Engineering and Architecture, University of Pavia, Via Ferrata 3, 27100 Pavia, Italy)

Abstract

Sewage sludge processing and disposal have a significant weight on the energy and economic balances of wastewater treatment operations and contribute substantially to greenhouse gas emissions related to wastewater processing. Despite this, sewage sludge contains substantial recoverable resources in the form of energy and useful molecules. The current challenge, other than reducing the environmental and economic impacts of its disposal, is to recover energy and materials from this waste stream, implementing a biosolid-centered circular economy with the greatest possible added value. A number of options along these lines exist, and others are being investigated, ranging from biological processes, thermochemical technologies, bioelectrochemical processing, biorefineries and others. Recoverable resources comprise biogas from sludge fermentation, liquid and solid end products (e.g., biodiesel and biochar) and valuable nutrients (N and P). This paper presents a state of the art of biorefinery, with emphasis on recent developments in non-conventional resource recovery from EBSS streams for sludge-based circular economy implementation. Expectations and limitations, including technological readiness, of these technologies are discussed.

Suggested Citation

  • Daniele Cecconet & Andrea G. Capodaglio, 2022. "Sewage Sludge Biorefinery for Circular Economy," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(22), pages 1-17, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:14:y:2022:i:22:p:14841-:d:968749
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. de Jesus, Sérgio S. & Filho, Rubens Maciel, 2020. "Recent advances in lipid extraction using green solvents," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 133(C).
    2. Andrea G. Capodaglio & Arianna Callegari & Maria Virginia Lopez, 2016. "European Framework for the Diffusion of Biogas Uses: Emerging Technologies, Acceptance, Incentive Strategies, and Institutional-Regulatory Support," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 8(4), pages 1-18, March.
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    Cited by:

    1. Tugba Sapmaz & Reza Manafi & Amir Mahboubi & Derya Y. Koseoglu-Imer & Mohammad J. Taherzadeh, 2023. "The Effect of Sequential and Simultaneous Supplementation of Waste-Derived Volatile Fatty Acids and Methanol as Alternative Carbon Source Blend for Wastewater Denitrification," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(8), pages 1-16, April.
    2. Yuhang Shi & Qinyong Ma & Dongdong Ma & Kun Huang & Yuqi Gu, 2023. "Effect of Aggregate Mix Proportion on Static and Dynamic Mechanical Properties and Pore Structure of Alkali-Activated Slag Mortar with Sludge Pottery Sand," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(3), pages 1-16, February.

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