The Influence of Biosolids on Attaining Energy Neutrality at a Wastewater Treatment Plant

Barber, W.P.F.

Water, 2014

Abstract

Wastewater, sludge and subsequent
biosolids are large inherent energy
sinks and, in most cases, contain more
energy than required to operate a
treatment plant. This paper explores
how the energy can be exploited to
minimise plant demands. This study
found that no single measure can help
achieve energy neutrality; rather, a
combination of processes. The use of
anaerobic digestion was found to reduce
energy demands by over a third, and
by 60% when combined with enhanced
primary treatment. Energy neutrality
was potentially achievable by combining
these processes with further energy
recovery downstream via burning as
a cake. However, this study highlighted
the poor energy extraction capability
of anaerobic digestion when considered
in a plant-wide envelope.

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