The Role of Biosolids Product and Process Energy Use Of Water Content, Based on Market Externalities. Putting This Into Context by Comparing Aeration Energy Consumption with Sludge Management Energy Consumption in Order to Minimize Overall Consumption to near Zero

Panter, K.

2023

Introduction

Traditionally sewage treatment plant (STP) is designed with the objective of meeting the final effluent limits in mind and any route for sludge/residuals that occur is often decided by others and sometimes at a later date. Fundamentally, this approach lacks holistic approach and needs to be altered. The recommended approach will be to incorporate the strategy for sludge treatment and disposal simultaneously along with sewage treatment.

The traditional approach ignores the actual outputs from STPs and a key role (and true cost) that sludge treatment and disposal /recycling plays in designing a successful STP. Virtually all the BOD load entering from the sewers is either oxidised (high energy use) or converted into sludge (containing energy) in STPs. The sludge so produced has to be converted to a useful form for reuse or destroyed. The sludge contains energy as carbon, and major and minor nutrients.

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