Abstract
This paper aims to analyze the economic feasibility of generating a novel, innovative biofuel—bioenergy—obtained from deposit bio-components by means of a pilot installation of sewage sludge bio-conversion. Fuel produced from sewage sludge biomass bears the potential of being considered a renewable energy source. In the present study, 23 bioconversion cycles were conducted taking into consideration the different contents, types of high carbohydrate additives, moisture content of the mixture as well as the shape of the bed elements. The biofuel was produced using post fermentation sewage sludge for industrial energy and heat generation. Based on the presented research it was concluded that the composite biofuel can be co-combusted with hard coal with the optimal percentage share within the range of 20–30% w/w. Sewage sludge stabilized by means of anaerobic digestion carried out in closed fermentation chambers is the final product. The average values of the CO2, CO, NO, NOx and SO2 concentrations in flue gas from co-combustion of a bioconversion product (20% w/w) and coal were 5.43%, 1903 ppm, 300 ppm, 303 ppm and 179 ppm, respectively. In total, within a period of 4.5 years of the plant operation, 1853 Mg of fuel was produced and successfully co-combusted with coal in a power plant. The research demonstrated that in the waste water treatment sector there exists energy potential in terms of calorific value which translates into tangible benefits both in the context of energy generation as well as environmental protection. Over 700,000 Mg of bio-sewage sludge is generated annually in Poland. According to findings of the study presented in the paper, the proposed solution could give 970,000 Mg of dry mass of biomass qualified as energy biomass replacing fossil fuels.
Highlights
The development of sewerage infrastructure and household sewage connections has become a priority objective in addressing the issue of preventing soil and water pollution in Poland
Based on the research findings, it was observed that the composite biofuel can be co-combusted with hard coal while the optimal percentage share is within the range of 20–30%
The method may be applied in any waste water treatment facility with a modest capital expenditure
Summary
The development of sewerage infrastructure and household sewage connections has become a priority objective in addressing the issue of preventing soil and water pollution in Poland. Households, along with other sources of sewage, are connected to sewerage systems which route the effluents to a waste water treatment facility in order to remove the contaminants. Sewage sludge is a by-product generated in the process of industrial and municipal waste water treatment. Sewage sludge is a dispersive system in which the non-dispersive phase is a liquid phase in the form of water with dissolved substances while the dispersed phase constitutes a solid phase in the form of insoluble parts or a gaseous phase in the form of a gas dissolved in liquid [1]. Sewage sludge bears certain potential of practical application on account of the fact that it contains organic substances
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
