Article
Engineering, Environmental
Jintao Cui, Haocheng Wang, Dwi Hantoko, Xiaoqang Wen, Ekkachai Kanchanatip, Mi Yan
Summary: To recover nitrogen and phosphorus from the treatment of sewage sludge using supercritical water gasification (SCWG), struvite crystallization was utilized. K2CO3 was added in SCWG to increase syngas production and enhance the migration of N and P for subsequent struvite crystallization. The effect of MgCl2 and pH on the removal of N, P, and COD and the purity of struvite was investigated. The results showed that the highest removal of N and P from the aqueous phase was achieved by struvite crystallization at pH 8, producing struvite with a purity of 93.3%.
JOURNAL OF WATER PROCESS ENGINEERING
(2023)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Theresa Constanze Sichler, Christian Adam, David Montag, Matthias Barjenbruch
Summary: The agricultural sewage sludge utilization in Germany is becoming less important due to new laws requiring phosphorus recovery from sewage sludge in wastewater treatment plants. Different future disposal scenarios show that around 70-77% of phosphorus in sewage sludge will likely be recovered.
JOURNAL OF CLEANER PRODUCTION
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Dorette Muller-Stover, Rhys Thompson, Changyong Lu, Tobias Pape Thomsen, Nadia Glaesner, Sander Bruun
Summary: Thermal conversion of phosphorus-rich waste materials offers advantages such as bioenergy generation and concentration of plant nutrients. The study found that particle size management and post-process oxidation can affect the plant availability of phosphorus in the final products. Different thermal processes modify the chemical and physical structure of the feedstock in varying ways, impacting phosphorus speciation and plant availability in the residual ashes or carbonization products.
Article
Energy & Fuels
Mi Yan, Jintao Cui, Tian Li, Hongyu Feng, Dwi Hantoko, Ekkachai Kanchanatip
Summary: This study conducted a comprehensive investigation on the transformation and distribution of nitrogen and phosphorus during supercritical water gasification of sewage sludge. The results showed that organic nitrogen was converted to ammonium nitrogen, while phosphates were enriched in the solid phase. Therefore, this study provides a theoretical basis for the utilization of the liquid product and the recovery of phosphorus from the solid product.
Article
Thermodynamics
Alberto Carotenuto, Simona Di Fraia, Nicola Massarotti, Szymon Sobek, M. Rakib Uddin, Laura Vanoli, Sebastian Werle
Summary: This study develops a numerical model for gasification, calibrating and validating it with different sewage sludge (SS) samples. The model predicts that integrating a gasifier with an internal combustion engine can achieve combined heat and power generation potentiality of the sludge.
Review
Environmental Sciences
Matej Husek, Jaroslav Mosko, Michael Pohorely
Summary: With the growing emphasis on environmental protection, this review analyses different methods of sewage sludge treatment in terms of potential environmental risk and raw materials recovery. The study suggests that direct use of sewage sludge in agriculture should no longer be considered as a source of nutrients and organic matter due to its pollutant content. The review also highlights pyrolysis as a sustainable method for sludge treatment in remote locations with low heavy metal content, and discusses different technologies for recovering phosphorus from sludge ash.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
(2022)
Review
Environmental Sciences
Francesco Di Capua, Simona de Sario, Alberto Ferraro, Andrea Petrella, Marco Race, Francesco Pirozzi, Umberto Fratino, Danilo Spasiano
Summary: Phosphate rocks are essential for fertilizer production, but their availability is insufficient to meet agricultural demands. Wastewater treatment plants play a crucial role in phosphorus management by removing and recovering phosphorus, reducing eutrophication and meeting fertilizer demands. Recent studies have focused on improving phosphorus removal efficiency and reducing treatment costs through advancements in biological and material sciences. The development of processes for phosphorus recovery from wastewater and sludge has also been explored. This review provides updated information for the design and upgrading of wastewater treatment plants in anticipation of forthcoming regulations on phosphorus removal and recovery.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Javier Canas, Silvia alvarez-Torrellas, Blanca Hermana, Juan Garcia
Summary: Environmental legislation and potential nutrient recovery drive the adoption of advanced treatment technologies for biosolids waste management. This study focused on phosphorus recovery from sewage sludge using wet oxidation. The wet oxidation process achieved high removal of organic matter (up to 85% COD) and total solids (up to 75%) at elevated temperature and pressure. Both liquid and solid fractions contained high amounts of phosphorus that can be recovered. Phosphorus was successfully recovered from the liquid effluent through chemical precipitation as struvite, with a recovery rate exceeding 95%. Acid leaching of the solid fraction resulted in a phosphorus recovery rate of up to 60%, with all extracted phosphorus in the form of orthophosphate.
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Anna Witek-Krowiak, Katarzyna Gorazda, Daniel Szopa, Krzysztof Trzaska, Konstantinos Moustakas, Katarzyna Chojnacka
Summary: This review discusses the most important ways to recover phosphorus from biowaste, focusing on wastewater, sewage sludge, manure, slaughter or food waste. Combining biological, chemical, and physical methods with thermal treatment appears to be the most effective way for phosphorus recovery from wastewater sludge. Chemical methods seem to be the optimal solution for animal by-products and other biological waste. Additional treatment is needed for wastewater to recover the highest possible amount of phosphorus.
Review
Environmental Sciences
Bohan Yu, Jinghuan Luo, Huanhuan Xie, Huan Yang, Shanping Chen, Jianyong Liu, Ruina Zhang, Yu-You Li
Summary: Recovering phosphorus from municipal sewage sludge is a promising way to address phosphorus resource scarcity. The efficiency and cost of recovery depend greatly on the phosphorus species and fractions in different sludges, with anaerobic fermentation being a key method for advanced phosphorus release.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Aleksandra Bogdan, Ciaran O' Donnell, Ana Alejandra Robles Aguilar, Ivona Sigurnjak, Niamh Power, Evi Michels, Joe Harrington, Erik Meers
Summary: The study evaluated the impact of five fertilizers recovered from municipal wastewater on perennial ryegrass dry matter (DM) and phosphorus concentration. Results showed significant differences among the fertilizers at the lowest P dose, but less variation at higher doses. Struvite, ash, and iron phosphate exhibited steady P release patterns, while one type of ash showed delayed release followed by an increase. Monitoring P uptake for at least four months during perennial ryegrass growth was found to be necessary, with seven months being the optimal period for reaching the full capacity of slow-release P fertilizers.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Muhammad Abdullah Khan, Salman Raza Naqvi, Syed Ali Ammar Taqvi, Muhammad Shahbaz, Imtiaz Ali, Muhammad Taqi Mehran, Asif Hussain Khoja, Dagmar Juchelkova
Summary: In this study, air gasification of sewage sludge was conducted in a lab-scale bubbling fluidized bed gasifier. The gasification process was modeled using artificial neural networks to predict the hydrogen production from product gas composition at various temperatures and equivalence ratios.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF HYDROGEN ENERGY
(2022)
Review
Engineering, Environmental
Oraleou Sangue Djandja, Lin-Xin Yin, Zhi-Cong Wang, Pei-Gao Duan
Summary: This article systematically reviews recent findings on hydrothermal treatments of Municipal Sewage Sludge, highlighting the related chemical reactions and the impact of reaction parameters. Suggestions are made for optimizing the applications of end products, and potential challenges for future hydrothermal treatments are discussed.
PROCESS SAFETY AND ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
T. Fournie, C. Switzer, J. Gerhard
Summary: The study compared the Hedley fractionation method to the LEAF pH-dependent tests to assess the bioavailability of phosphorus, finding that thermal treatment transformed phosphorus into less available forms. Hedley method left a significant portion of phosphorus unextracted from sludge and ash, suggesting it may be less suitable for organic materials. In contrast, LEAF methods provided more detailed and easily interpreted results, facilitating a more robust assessment of organic and inorganic solids for land application.
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Yuhan Zhu, Qian Zhao, Dongyue Li, Jun Li, Wei Guo
Summary: Determining the appropriate sludge type and pyrolysis temperature is crucial for the form and bioavailability of recovered phosphorus (P) during sludge pyrolysis. Higher pyrolysis temperature leads to more organic P transformation into inorganic P and conversion of non-apatite inorganic P into apatite P. Dewatered cake sludge pyrolyzed at 500°C has the highest concentration of bioavailable P and can be used as a direct P source, while dewatered cake sludge pyrolyzed at 700°C contains the highest concentration of apatite P and can be used as a slow-release P fertilizer.
JOURNAL OF CLEANER PRODUCTION
(2022)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Agnieszka Zelazna, Artur Kraszkiewicz, Artur Przywara, Grzegorz Lagod, Zbigniew Suchorab, Sebastian Werle, Javier Ballester, Radovan Nosek
ENVIRONMENTAL PROGRESS & SUSTAINABLE ENERGY
(2019)
Article
Thermodynamics
Zbigniew Bulinski, Helcio R. B. Orlande, Tomasz Krysinski, Sebastian Werle, Lukasz Ziolkowski
Article
Energy & Fuels
Szymon Sobek, Sebastian Werle
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Radovan Nosek, Sebastian Werle, Aleksandra Borsukiewicz, Agnieszka Zelazna, Grzegorz Lagod
APPLIED SCIENCES-BASEL
(2020)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Karolina Kula, Agnieszka Kacka-Zych, Agnieszka Lapczuk-Krygier, Zbigniew Wzorek, Anna K. Nowak, Radomir Jasinski
Summary: The present paper examines the thermal decomposition of 3,3-diphenyl-4-(trichloromethyl)-5-nitropyrazoline through experimental and theoretical studies, revealing different mechanisms in solution and at the melted state. By applying the Molecular Electron Density Theory (MEDT) and Bonding Evolution Theory (BET), the molecular mechanisms of dehydrochlorination were elucidated, showing a single-step mechanism contrary to most known HCl extrusion processes.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Artur Przybyla, Joanna Kuc, Zbigniew Wzorek
Summary: This work presents the implementation of the ICP-OES silicon determination method for zinc and lead-bearing materials and waste at ZGH Boleslaw Mining and Metallurgical Works. The proposed method was validated and found to have a linear calibration curve up to a silicon concentration of 100 mg/L, with a working range of 0.10-50%. Precision tests were carried out on nine types of real samples and interferences of molybdenum, chromium, and vanadium were found to have no statistically significant effect on the measurement results.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Halyna Kominko, Piotr Radomski, Anna K. Nowak, Zbigniew Wzorek
Summary: Research has shown that the waste toner-contaminated calcite mixture from toner processing plants can be used as an additive in concrete, and adding up to 5% of the mixture can improve the strength of the concrete.
Review
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Hamza Mumtaz, Sebastian Werle, Szymon Sobek
Summary: Effective municipal solid waste management and waste-to-resource recovery are crucial for economic growth. This study examines the potential of wet oxidation technique to treat mix MSW and produce valuable organic compounds.
CLEAN TECHNOLOGIES AND ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY
(2023)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Alberto Carotenuto, Simona Di Fraia, Nicola Massarotti, Szymon Sobek, M. Rakib Uddin, Laura Vanoli, Sebastian Werle
Summary: This study aims to evaluate the effects of gasifying agent preheating temperature and equivalence ratio (ER) on the conversion of sewage sludge (SS) to syngas through gasification and combined heat and power (CHP) generation. A novel gasification model was developed using Aspen Plus simulation, where the gasifying agent preheating temperature was used as the operating variable instead of the gasification temperature. The model was calibrated and validated using experimental data, demonstrating good agreement between simulation and experimental results. The optimum gasification parameters were predicted to be 150°C and 0.2 for the air preheating temperature and ER, respectively. The CHP generation potential of SS was assessed to be 2.54 kW/kg SS as dry solids (DS), with 0.81 kW as electrical power and the remainder as thermal power. The proposed treatment can reduce CO₂ emissions by 0.59 kg/kg SS as DS compared to natural gas combustion for the same energy output.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Krzysztof Mazurek, Sebastian Druzynski, Urszula Kielkowska, Adam Wegrzynowicz, Anna K. Nowak, Zbigniew Wzorek, Adriana Wrobel-Kaszanek
Summary: In the 21st century, the amount of sewage sludge has increased due to industrial development and population growth. Proper management is required due to the biological and chemical hazards, as well as legal regulations. Pyrolysis of sewage sludge to biochar can be an effective method to neutralize and utilize waste.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Marzena Smol, Joanna Kulczycka, Lukasz Lelek, Katarzyna Gorazda, Zbigniew Wzorek
ARCHIVES OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
(2020)
Article
Chemistry, Applied
Piotr Radomski, Andrzej Jarosinski, Zbigniew Wzorek, Anna K. Nowak
POLISH JOURNAL OF CHEMICAL TECHNOLOGY
(2020)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Agnieszka Sobczak-Kupiec, Dagmara Malina, Regina Kijkowska, Wioletta Florkiewicz, Klaudia Pluta, Zbigniew Wzorek
CROATICA CHEMICA ACTA
(2019)
Proceedings Paper
Energy & Fuels
Thuat T. Trinh, Sebastian Werle, Khanh-Quang Tran, Aneta Magdziarz, Szymon Sobek, Marta Pogrzeba
INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS FOR ENERGY TRANSITIONS
(2019)
Proceedings Paper
Energy & Fuels
Sebastian Werle, Khanh-Quang Tran, Aneta Magdziarz, Szymon Sobek, Marta Pogrzeba, Terese Lovas
INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS FOR ENERGY TRANSITIONS
(2019)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Xiaojian Liu, Bei Wang, Yayun Ma, Xiangyang Zhou, Juan Yang, Yuehui He, Jingjing Tang, Fanyun Su, Wan Yang
Summary: This study proposes a combined process of reduction roasting of herb-medicine residue and oxalic acid leaching to improve the recovery efficiency of lithium from spent lithium-ion batteries. By utilizing the reducing gas produced from the pyrolysis of herb-medicine residue, the layered structure of the cathode powder is destroyed and converted into Li2CO3, Ni, Co, and MnO. Additionally, selective extraction of lithium is achieved using oxalic acid, and the efficiency and kinetics of lithium extraction are improved under the combined action of herb-medicine residue and oxalic acid.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Muxina Konarova, Nuno Batalha, Gabriel Fraga, Mohamed H. M. Ahmed, Steven Pratt, Bronwyn Laycock
Summary: This study presents a proof of concept for a technology that integrates PET recovery from mixed plastic waste and plastic pyrolysis. By depolymerizing PET into TPA using a low volatility oil as medium, it achieves low-pressure operation and a selective separation and recovery of TPA from the product mix. Full PET conversion and high TPA recovery were achieved, making it an effective solution for processing mixed waste streams and improving the yield and quality of liquid product from thermal pyrolysis compared to untreated feedstock.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Zhenhua Sun, Jing Li, Xuejiang Wang, Siqing Xia, Jianfu Zhao
Summary: This study investigated the influence of in-situ formed MgFe2O4 on the hydrothermal treatment of swine manure. The results showed that the in-situ formation of MgFe2O4 improved the dehydration and decarboxylation of organic components in swine manure, thereby improving its carbonization degree. Furthermore, it enhanced the stabilization of heavy metals and the retention of phosphorus. MgFe2O4 modified hydrochars exhibited remarkable adsorption capacity for Pb(II) and Cu(II) without any leaching of heavy metals.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Yijing Jiang, Boyang Leng, Jingxin Xi
Summary: The increased generation of municipal solid waste has had a significant impact on the economy, environment, and public health. The current waste treatment process has limitations. By developing a comprehensive social costing model, this study assesses the impacts of municipal solid waste management throughout its life cycle and provides policymakers with best practices and feasibility information.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Marina Hernandes de Paula e Silva, Ricardo Coser Mergulha, Jose Geraldo Vidal Vieira, Andrea Brasco Pampanelli, Rodrigo Salvador, Diogo Aparecido Lopes Silva
Summary: This study developed and implemented a self-assessment tool to assist companies in decision-making processes for establishing circular flows based on Lean Manufacturing and Circular Economy principles. The tool utilized a maturity model and was applied to nine companies of varying characteristics. The findings revealed that certain companies showed higher maturity in water-waste and chemical-emissions management, with larger enterprises focusing on these strategies. However, many companies lacked sufficient training and employee awareness prior to seeking cleaner alternatives, and comprehensive actions to manage the product lifecycle were lacking. To address these gaps, the tool provided tailored recommendations for each company to improve their processes, products, and value chain.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Gamze Dogdu, Turgay Pekdemir, Sanaz Lakestani, Seyda Karabork, Osman Cavus
Summary: This paper presents data on food waste associated with mini size food packaging services, highlighting the difficulties in emptying the food and consumer wastefulness as the main causes. These findings have significant implications for the sustainability of food and relevant packaging.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Qingxia Li, Xin Kong, Yuxin Chen, Jianan Niu, Jia Jing, Jin Yuan, Yifeng Zhang
Summary: This study investigates how to enhance methane production from food waste after hydrothermal pretreatment. The results demonstrate a significant increase in methane yield when zero-valent iron and magnetite are used together, and high organic loading is favorable for methane production. Microbial diversity analysis further reveals the dominant pathways and metabolic processes involved in methane generation.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
D. H. H. Sim, I. A. W. Tan, L. L. P. Lim, E. T. Lau, B. H. Hameed
Summary: The development of controlled-release fertilizer formulation is important for preventing environmental pollution caused by nutrient leaching and volatilization. This study combined biochar-based fertilizer with encapsulation technology to improve the nutrient release mechanism. Optimal conditions for synthesizing urea-impregnated biochar (UIB) were determined using central composite design, and the release of nitrogen was described by mathematical models. Results showed that encapsulated UIB (EUIB) achieved complete release of nitrogen in water and exhibited improved water retention in sandy-textural soil. Therefore, EUIB derived from peppercorn waste has the potential to be used as a sustainable controlled-release fertilizer for agriculture.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Yuchuan Wang, Neslihan Akdeniz
Summary: Incorporating biochar into composting systems can increase compost temperatures. This study developed a heat transfer model for a biochar-amended co-composting system and found that biochar increased thermal conductive losses but also enhanced microbial activity, resulting in an overall increase in total heat unit. When biochar was applied on the surface, it mainly functioned as an insulator.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
George Tsalis, Birger Boutrup Jensen, Jessica Aschemann-Witzel
Summary: This paper empirically explores the relationship between retail price promotions and household food waste. The results show that households with a higher proportion of discount food purchases and environmental awareness tend to waste less food, while larger households and those lacking food handling skills tend to waste more food.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Lukas Friederici, Arne Koch, Patrick Martens, Jana Pantzke, Sebastiano Di Bucchianico, Thorsten Streibel, Christopher P. Rueger, Ralf Zimmermann
Summary: The increasing demand for lightweight materials has led to a rise in fiber-reinforced plastic (FRP) production. However, the properties and compositional range of FRPs pose challenges to recycling strategies. Pyrolysis has emerged as a promising method for separating the fibers from the polymer matrix. This study investigated the pyrolysis process using thermal analysis and high-resolution mass spectrometry, and also assessed the toxicity of the recovered fibers using an in vitro model.
Review
Engineering, Environmental
Devika Kannan, Shakiba Khademolqorani, Nassibeh Janatyan, Somaieh Alavi
Summary: This paper introduces Smart Waste Management (SWM) that applies Industry 4.0 technologies in waste management. A framework called SWM4.0 is developed, which highlights the importance of smart people, smart cities, smart enterprises, and smart factories in achieving successful waste management. The paper also suggests future research directions and managerial implications.