Environmental Evaluation of Different Treatment Processes for Sludge from Urban Wastewater Treatments: Anaerobic Digestion versus Thermal Processes (10 pp)

Hospido, Almudena; Moreira, Marı́a Teresa; Martín, Maria J.; Rigola, Miquel; Feijoo, Gumersindo

doi:10.1065/lca2005.05.210

Cited by 199 publications

(101 citation statements)

References 17 publications

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“…It seems that neither of SSB types within the application rates and study duration used in this study have caused environmental threads to soils. Based on life cycle assessment analysis on different treatment processes of sewage sludge including anaerobic digestion, pyrolysis, and incineration, it was concluded that the most effective utilization of sewage sludge implied both energy and material reuse, and that the land application of digested sludge was an acceptable and good choice as long as heavy metal contents in the final cake could be minimized (Hospido et al, 2005). Therefore, long-term effects of SSB application on heavy metal dynamics among SSBs, soils, and plants are needed to be evaluated for further acceptance of SSB application in agronomic benefits.…”

Section: Heavy Metal Accumulation and Availability In Soilmentioning

confidence: 99%

Leachability and Vegetable Absorption of Heavy Metals from Sewage Sludge Biochar

Yachigo¹,

Sato²

2013

Soil Processes and Current Trends in Quality Assessment

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Section: Heavy Metal Accumulation and Availability In Soilmentioning

confidence: 99%

Leachability and Vegetable Absorption of Heavy Metals from Sewage Sludge Biochar

Yachigo¹,

Sato²

2013

Soil Processes and Current Trends in Quality Assessment

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“…Nutrient availability from biosolids were assumed to be 40% of N (Irish Government, 2009) and 46% of P (Plunkett, 2010) contained in the biosolids. The biosolids were assumed to have been pretreated by anaerobic digestion, followed by storage and transportation of 15 km according to Akwo (2008) and Hospido et al (2005).…”

Section: Inventory Analysismentioning

confidence: 99%

Energy requirements and environmental impacts associated with the production of short rotation willow (Salix sp.) chip in Ireland

2013

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Willow Salix sp. is currently cultivated as a short rotation forestry crop in Ireland as a source of biomass to contribute to renewable energy goals. The aim of this study is to evaluate the energy requirements and environmental impacts associated with willow (Salix sp.) cultivation, harvest, and transport using life cycle assessment (LCA). In this study, only emissions from the production of the willow chip are included, end-use emissions from combustion are not considered. In this LCA study, three impact categories are considered; acidification potential, eutrophication potential and global warming potential. In addition, the cumulative energy demand and energy ratio of the system are evaluated. The results identify three key processes in the production chain which contribute most to all impact categories considered; maintenance, harvest and transportation of the crop. Sensitivity analysis on the type of fertilizers used, harvesting technologies and transport distances highlights the effects of these management techniques on overall system performance. Replacement of synthetic fertilizer with biosolids results in a reduction in overall energy demand, but raises acidification potential, eutrophication potential and global warming potential. Rod harvesting compares unfavourably in comparison with direct chip harvesting in each of the impact categories considered due to the additional chipping step required. The results show that dedicated truck transport is preferable to tractor-trailer transport in terms of energy demand and environmental impacts. Finally, willow chip production compares favourably with coal provision in terms of energy ratio and global warming potential, while achieving a higher energy ratio than peat provision but also a higher global warming potential.

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“…Suh and Rousseaux's LCA characterized the environmental profiles, based on nine impact categories, of the operation phase of various technologies; however, the transferability of their work is limited by the fact that they only report qualitative results (5). Hospido et al compared anaerobic versus thermal sludge treatment processes, accounting for both the environmental and economic costs, but the boundary condition was limited to the operation phase (3). In ignoring the construction phase, they eliminate a comparison of capital costs, which is an important part of the decision-making process for many municipalities.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…These options exhibit a wide range of economic and environmental costs and benefits, which often depend on site-specific economic, environmental, social, and political constraints. Life-cycle assessment (LCA) has proven an apt tool for comparing different sludge handling schemes (3)(4)(5). Life-cycle inventory assessment (LCI) is used in the study herein to evaluate sludge handling options that combine treatment with productive end uses for sludge, thus treating sludge as a resource rather than waste.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Hybrid Life-Cycle Environmental and Cost Inventory of Sewage Sludge Treatment and End-Use Scenarios: A Case Study from China

Murray

Horvath

Nelson

2008

Environ. Sci. Technol.

202

104

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Sewage sludge management poses environmental, economic, and political challenges for wastewater treatment plants and municipalities around the globe. To facilitate more informed and sustainable decision making, this study used life-cycle inventory (LCI) to expand upon previous process-based LCIs of sewage sludge treatment technologies. Additionally, the study evaluated an array of productive end-use options for treated sewage sludge, such as fertilizer and as an input into construction materials, to determine how the sustainability of traditional manufacturing processes changes with sludge as a replacement for other raw inputs. The inclusion of the life-cycle of necessary inputs (such as lime) used in sludge treatment significantly impacts the sustainability profiles of different treatment and enduse schemes. Overall, anaerobic digestion is generally the optimal treatment technology whereas incineration, particularly if coal-fired, is the most environmentally and economically costly. With respect to sludge end use, offsets are greatest for the use of sludge as fertilizer, but all of the productive uses of sludge can improve the sustainability of conventional manufacturing practices. The results are intended to help inform and guide decisions about sludge handling for existing wastewater treatment plants and those that are still in the planning phase in cities around the world. Although additional factors must be considered when selecting a sludge treatment and end-use scheme, this study highlights how a systems approach to planning can contribute significantly to improving overall environmental sustainability.

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Environmental Evaluation of Different Treatment Processes for Sludge from Urban Wastewater Treatments: Anaerobic Digestion versus Thermal Processes (10 pp)

Cited by 199 publications

References 17 publications

Leachability and Vegetable Absorption of Heavy Metals from Sewage Sludge Biochar

Leachability and Vegetable Absorption of Heavy Metals from Sewage Sludge Biochar

Energy requirements and environmental impacts associated with the production of short rotation willow (Salix sp.) chip in Ireland

Hybrid Life-Cycle Environmental and Cost Inventory of Sewage Sludge Treatment and End-Use Scenarios: A Case Study from China

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