Energy recovery from waste water treatment plant sludge

Abstract

The sludge generated from physical, chemical, and biological treatment of Wastewater. It is becoming a major environmental problem with the increase in urbanization & industrialization. The sludge generated contains a vast spectrum of organic& inorganic chemicals & pathogens. Presently the sludge is dewatered and disposed of as landfill. It is shifting of pollution & its problem from liquid to the solid phase. The insoluble organic pollutants from industry are the source of energy and can be used as a fuel. This research work collects the latest information on recent trends in the conversion of sludge to fuel as value-added products such as briquette. The present studies are carried out on the sludge generated from the Waste Water Treatment Plant from sugar mill and distillery. The sludge is dewatered by using a different type of filtering media to select better filter media. The dewatered sludge is mixed with other cheaper ingredients to make briquettes with better calorific values. The briquettes are sundried to use as fuel for domestic and industrial use. The briquettes are analyzed for their fuel value. It is found that briquettes made have the calorific value better than wood and lesser than coal. The costing of briquettes is carried out to assess its economic viability. The cost of briquette is lesser than the conventional fuel having the same calorific value. Thus this research work gives the most promising value-added usage for the sludge in a more economical way and helps to keep the environment green and sustainable with the energy generation from waste. Further studies will be carried out to design the solid phase digester.