Effects of sewage sludge blending on the coal combustion: A thermogravimetric assessment

Combustion of urban sewage sludge together with coal in existing infrastructures may be a sustainable management option energetically interesting for these materials, usually considered wastes. Thermogravimetric analysis was used to study the combustion of a semianthracite coal and the modifications undergone when adding a small percentage (2%, 5%, 10%) of sewage sludge. Both Differential Scanning Calorimetric analysis and Differential Thermogravimetry burning profiles showed differences between coal and sewage sludge combustion. However, the effects of adding a percentage of sewage sludge equal or smaller than 10% was hardly noticeable in terms of heat release and weight loss during the coal combustion. This was further proved by non-isothermal kinetic analysis, which was used to evaluate the Arrhenius activation energy corresponding to the co-combustion of the blends. This work shows that thermogravimetric analysis may be used as an easy rapid tool to asses the co-combustion of sewage sludge together with coal.     

Cleaner co-combustion of lignite-biomass-waste blends by utilising inhibiting compounds of toxic emissions

In this paper, the co-combustion behaviour of coal with wastes and biomass and the related toxic gaseous emissions were investigated. The objective of this work is to add on towards a cleaner co-combustion of lignite-waste-biomass blends by utilizing compounds that could inhibit the formation of toxic pollutants. A series of co-combustion tests was performed in a pilot scale incinerator, and the emissions of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs) and dibenzofurans (PCDFs) were measured. The co-combustion behaviour of lignite with olive kernels, MDF and sawdust was studied and the ability of additives such as urea, almond shells and municipal sewage sludge to reduce the PCDD/F emissions was examined. All blends were proven good fuels and reproducible combustion conditions were achieved. The addition of inhibitors prior to combustion showed in some cases, relatively high PCDD/F emissions reduction. Among the inhibitors tested, urea seems to achieve a reduction of PCDD/F emissions for all fuel blends, while an unstable behaviour was observed for the others.     

采用配方均匀设计法利用脱水污泥制备陶粒的研究

长期以来,对城市污水处理后产生的污泥处置一直是环保的难题,传统的处理处置方法均存在诸多问题,寻求一种好的处理处置污泥方法迫在眉睫。针对目前的问题运用带约束条件的配方均匀设计方法对粉煤灰-脱水污泥陶粒配方进行实验设计,运用三叶回转窑进行小试。研究了陶粒组分中粉煤灰、污泥、黏土的比例对烧成陶粒堆积密度、颗粒强度的影响;确定了最佳物料配比,使陶粒的性能测试指标均符合GB/17431.2-1998标准的规定。实验结果表明:烧制陶粒湿比例下脱水污泥用量达45%,干比例污泥用量15.2%,污泥减量化和资源化效果显著;陶粒浸出毒性实验结果表明各项指标均低于浸出液中危害成分浓度限值,达到了污泥无害化的效果;粉煤灰、污泥和黏土的优化质量(干)比例为79%,15.2%,5.8%;陶粒的堆积密度为600 kg/m3,筒压强度2.2 MPa,1 h吸水率10.2%,粒型系数1.3。     

Emission Characteristics of Granulated Fuel Produced from Sewage Sludge and Coal Slime

Abstract

The neutralization of wastewater treatment residues is an issue for many countries. The European Union (EU) legal regulations have limited the use of the residues in agriculture and implemented a ban for their disposal. Therefore, urgent action should be taken to find solutions for the safe disposal of sewage sludge. The problem refers in particular to the new EU member countries, including Poland, where one can now observe an intensive development of sewage system networks and new sewage treatment plants. At the same time, these countries have few installations for thermal sewage sludge utilization (e.g., there is only one installation of that type in Poland). Simultaneously, there are many coal-fired mechanical stoker-fired boilers in some of these countries. This paper presents suggestions for the production of granulated fuel from sewage sludge and coal slime. Additionally, among others, lime was added to the fuel to decrease the sulfur compounds emission. Results are presented of research on fuel with two average grain diameters (～15 and 35 mm). The fuel with such diameters is adapted to the requirements of the combustion process taking place in a stokerfired boiler. The research was aimed at identifying the behavior of the burning fuel, with special attention paid to its emission properties (e.g., to the emissions of oxides of nitrogen [NO_x], sulfur dioxide [SO₂], and carbon mon-oxide [CO], among others). The concentration and emission values were compared with similar results obtained while burning hard coal. The combustion process was carried out in a laboratory stand where realization of the large-scale tests is possible. The laboratory stand used made simulation possible for a wide range of burning processes in mechanical stoker-fired boilers.     

Formation of PCDD/PCDF

One option of recycling used contaminated packaging is to recover its high energy content. This can be performed in a normal multi-fuel power plant by co-combustion of packaging-derived fuel (PDF) or refuse-derived fuel (RDF) with fossil fuels, such as coal or peat. This work includes the results of 17 co-combustion tests and an evaluation of the results by the Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and the Partial Least Squares Projections to Latent Structures (PLS). PCA and PLS calculations showed that especially Pb, but also Cr, and Cu correlated with lower chlorinated furans (PCDFs) in the fly ash. Correlation between Sn and lower chlorinated dioxins (PCDDs) in the fly ash was also noticed. CO and PAH emission in the flue gas correlated with total PCDD/Fs in the flue gas. In a real full-scale combustion process, a single parameter in fuel, flue gas or a combustion parameter did not provide a guide to PCDD/F formation or to a level of the total PCDD/F emission, but correlations between different parameters and PCDD/Fs could be found. Although PDFs and RDF had catalytic heavy metals and chlorine, the co-combustion results showed that they can be co-combusted with peat and coal in a fluidized-bed boiler at least up to 26 % with very low total PCDD and PCDF emissions.     

Emission characteristics of granulated fuel produced from sewage sludge and coal slime

The neutralization of wastewater treatment residues is an issue for many countries. The European Union (EU) legal regulations have limited the use of the residues in agriculture and implemented a ban for their disposal. Therefore, urgent action should be taken to find solutions for the safe disposal of sewage sludge. The problem refers in particular to the new EU member countries, including Poland, where one can now observe an intensive development of sewage system networks and new sewage treatment plants. At the same time, these countries have few installations for thermal sewage sludge utilization (e.g., there is only one installation of that type in Poland). Simultaneously, there are many coal-fired mechanical stoker-fired boilers in some of these countries. This paper presents suggestions for the production of granulated fuel from sewage sludge and coal slime. Additionally, among others, lime was added to the fuel to decrease the sulfur compounds emission. Results are presented of research on fuel with two average grain diameters (approximately 15 and 35 mm). The fuel with such diameters is adapted to the requirements of the combustion process taking place in a stoker-fired boiler. The research was aimed at identifying the behavior of the burning fuel, with special attention paid to its emission properties (e.g., to the emissions of oxides of nitrogen [NO(x)], sulfur dioxide [SO2], and carbon monoxide [CO], among others). The concentration and emission values were compared with similar results obtained while burning hard coal. The combustion process was carried out in a laboratory stand where realization of the large-scale tests is possible. The laboratory stand used made simulation possible for a wide range of burning processes in mechanical stoker-fired boilers.     

市政污泥深度脱水药剂优化研究简

污泥含水率高影响污泥后续处置。利用化学药剂对污泥进行深度脱水处理可使污泥减量化、稳定化。为提高深度脱水效果，对添加剂进行了种类和添加量的优化研究（石灰、工业石灰、粉煤灰、硅藻土、十二烷基磺酸钠和飞灰；5%、10%、15%、20%、25%和30%），另外，还进行了复合投加实验。研究结果表明，石灰、工业石灰、粉煤灰的深度脱水效果最好；复合添加中，25%石灰+5%粉煤灰，20%石灰+10%粉煤灰，10%石灰+20%粉煤灰的深度脱水效果最好。5%的石灰或者工业石灰的添加剂量使干化污泥pH值达到12.25，粉煤灰、硅藻土、十二烷基磺酸钠和飞灰的添加对干化污泥pH值影响相对要小。     

城市下水污泥焚烧过程中二次污染物排放特性的试验研究

在0.15 MWt循环流化床燃烧试验台上进行了城市下水污泥与煤的混烧试验,分析了烟气中的二次污染物排放特性.分析结果表明,利用循环流化床焚烧城市下水污泥时,添加辅助燃料(如煤)及改变焚烧条件,不仅可以达到稳定燃烧的目的,而且有利于抑制焚烧中二次污染物(如CO及二恶英等有机污染物)的生成.分析了焚烧污泥污染物的排放特性,为采用焚烧方式处理城市下水污泥提供了基础性试验数据.     

城市下水污泥焚烧过程中二次污染物排放特性的试验研究

在0．15MWt循环流化床燃烧试验台上进行了城市下水污泥与煤的混烧试验，分析了烟气中的二次污染物排放特性。分析结果表明，利用循环流化床焚烧城市下水污泥时，添加辅助燃料（如煤）及改变焚烧条件，不仅可以达到稳定燃烧的目的，而且有利于抑制焚烧中二次污染物（如CO及二恶英等有机污染物）的生成。分析了焚烧污泥污染物的排放特性。为采用焚烧方式处理城市下水污泥提供了基础性试验数据。     

PCDD/F, PAH and heavy metals in the sewage sludge from six wastewater treatment plants in Beijing, China

In order to better understand land application of sewage sludge, the characterization of heavy metals, PCDD/F and PAHs in sewage sludge was investigated from six different wastewater treatment plants (WWTP) in Beijing City, China. It was found that the total concentrations of Zn in Wujiacun (WJC) sewage sludge, and Cd and Hg in sewage sludge generated from all of the six different places are higher than Chinese regulation limit of pollutants for sludge to be used for agriculture (GB18918-2002). The levels of 16 PAHs that have been categorized as priority pollutants by US EPA in the sewage sludge samples varied from 2467 to 25923 microg/kg (dry weight), the highest values of 25923 microg/kg being found in WJC WWTP. The concentrations of Benzo[a]pyrene were as high as 6.1mg/kg dry weight in WJC sewage sludge, exceeding the maximum permitted content by GB18918-2002. Individual PAH content varies considerably with sewage samples. The ratios of anthracene to anthracene plus phenanthrene (An/178), benz[a]anthracene to benz[a]anthracene plus chrysene (BaA/228), indene[1,2,3-cd]pyrene to indene[1,2,3-cd]pyrene plus benzo[g,h,i]perylene (In/In+BP), and fluoranthene to fluoranthene plus pyrene (Fl/Fl+Py) suggest that petroleum and combustion of fossil fuel were the dominant contributions for the PAHs in sewage sludge. The concentrations of total PCDD/F in the sewage sludge ranged from 330 to 4245 pg/g d.w. The toxicity equivalent concentrations is between 3.47-88.24 pg I-TEQ according to NATO/CCMS, which is below Chinese legislation limit value proposed for land application. The PCDD/F congener/homologue profiles found in the Beijing samples indicated that the high chlorinated PCDD/F contamination might originate mainly from PCP-related source and depositional sources while the low chlorinated PCDD/F homologues could be originating from incineration or coal combustion. The major source of PCDD/Fs in Beijing sludge is still unclear.     

造纸工业污泥燃烧特性及动力学实验研究

在不同升温速率及与其他污泥不同混合比例条件下，利用热重法对造纸污泥和含工业污水污泥进行了实验研究。结果表明，造纸污泥与含工业污水污泥表现出不同的DTG曲线形式，其中造纸污泥固定碳燃烧峰失重较为明显。随着升温速率的提高，造纸污泥的燃烧速率加大，燃尽时间缩短，提高了其综合燃烧特性；加入含工业污水污泥后，造纸着火性能及燃尽性能均得到改善。采用积分法（Coats-Redfern方程）计算得到各阶段燃烧反应的机理方程及相应的活化能参数，表明活化能的大小与试样的燃烧阶段是相对应的。     

污水处理厂污泥无害化处置工艺探讨

随着当前的污泥处置技术的发展,在对污水处理厂污泥处置工艺经济可行性分析的基础上,按照因地制宜原则提出一种适宜于江阴市污水处理厂污泥无害化处置方案。即污泥经改性深度脱水至含水率50%以下,再送热电厂掺煤焚烧处置工艺路线。     

污水污泥中重金属污染物的溶出过程研究

污水污泥中污染物尤其是重金属的水体浸出作为重要的二次污染途径备受关注。为了探讨污水污泥中重金属的溶出规律,对上海7个污水处理厂的污水污泥进行了重金属总量分析,并采用水平振荡法对上述污水污泥中重金属进行了溶出动力学研究。结果表明,污水污泥中Cu、Cr和Zn的含量均较高,之后依次是Pb、As、Cd和Hg;污水污泥中重金属溶出动力学过程分为快速反应和慢速反应两个过程,可以用Elovich方程进行模拟;污水污泥中各重金属的溶出负荷差异较大,Cu、Cr和Zn的溶出负荷较大,其他较小,但各重金属相对于污水污泥中重金属总量的溶出百分比差异不大,基本处于10%以下。     

Characterization of top phase oil obtained from co-pyrolysis of sewage sludge and poplar sawdust

To research the impact of adding sawdust on top phase oil, a sewage sludge and poplar sawdust co-pyrolysis experiment was performed in a fixed bed. Gas chromatography (GC)/mass spectrometry (MS) was used to analyze the component distribution of top phase oil. Higher heating value, viscosity, water content, and pH of the top phase oil product were determined. The highest top phase oil yield (5.13 wt%) was obtained from the mixture containing 15 % poplar sawdust, while the highest oil yield (16.51 wt%) was obtained from 20 % poplar sawdust. Top phase oil collected from the 15 % mixture also has the largest amount of aliphatics and the highest higher heating value (28.6 MJ/kg). Possible reaction pathways were proposed to explain the increase in the types of phenols present in the top phase oil as the proportion of poplar sawdust used in the mixture increased. It can be concluded that synergetic reactions occurred during co-pyrolysis of sewage sludge and poplar sawdust. The results indicate that the high ash content of the sewage sludge may be responsible for the characteristic change in the top phase oil obtained from the mixtures containing different proportions of sewage sludge and poplar sawdust. Consequently, co-pyrolysis of the mixture containing 15 % poplar sawdust can increase the yield and the higher heating value of top phase oil.     

Emission characteristics for co-combustion of leather wastes,sewage sludge,and coal in a laboratory-scale entrained flow tube furnace

Four different mixed fuels consisted of leather waste, coal, and sewage sludge were combusted in a lab-scale entrained flow fluidized bed furnace. The influence of blending ratio on emission characteristics of SO₂, NO_x, HCl, particulate matter (PM), heavy metals, and polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs) was studied. Results showed that the mixing of coal with sewage sludge had a complex effect on the emission characteristics. On the one hand, with more sewage sludge blending in the mixed fuel, the acid gas pollutant (SO₂, NO_x) decreased a lot, and the recovery of volatile heavy metals (Cd, Pb) increased at the same time. Furthermore, the leaching toxicity of Cr in the fly ash and bottom ash went down below the national standard with the adding of sewage sludge. On the other hand, the mixing of sewage sludge which consisted of more ash content resulted in the increase of the PM emission. Moreover, the high content of Cu and chlorine in the sewage sludge can promote the formation of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs) when the fuel 3 and 4 were combusted. Most importantly, the concentration of toxic PCDD/Fs in the flue gas produced from fuel 3 and fuel 4 was successfully controlled down below 0.20 ng I-TEQ/Nm³ by the active carbon.

     

Persistence of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in sewage sludge-amended soil

The application of sewage sludge as a fertilizer is a common method used to improve soil properties. However, sewage sludge may contain various organic pollutants including polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. In the present study, the persistence of PAHs in soils fertilized with different sewage sludge doses was compared in relation to the sewage sludge dose applied (30, 75, 150, 300 and 600 Mgha(-1)) and the content of the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in them. The experiment was carried out in two blocks of experimental plots divided according to the type of plants grown: field plants and perennial-willow. Sewage sludge addition to soils resulted in an increase in the content of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in these soils. This increase was proportional to the quantity of sewage sludge applied. The results obtained showed that during a 42/54-month period, more than half of the individual PAHs introduced into the soil with sewage sludge were degraded. The scope of dissipation depended on the sewage sludge dose and the use to which the area was put. In the experiment with the willow only in the case of the highest sludge dose was a decrease in the PAH content above 50% noted; whereas in the case of the experiment with the field plants, it was higher by 50% for all sewage sludge doses. In experiment with field plants the highest scope of individual PAH disappearance was observed in the soil with the sewage sludge dose amounting to 300 Mgha(-1). In experiment with willow a relatively high dissipation of individual PAHs (>50%) was found in the treatment with the highest sludge dose (600 Mgha(-1)). A wider PAH dissipation range in the experiment with field plants was conditioned by the more favourable conditions created as a result of the breeding treatments applied. Agrotechnical treatments clearly increased the disappearance of the PAHs in those soils fertilized with the lowest sewage sludge doses (30 and 75 Mgha(-1)). The results obtained showed that the preferred method of treating a light soil fertilised with sewage sludges should be a one-year system, with a sludge application of 75 Mgha(-1).     

中国部分城市污泥中矿质元素形态与生物可利用性研究

近年来随着城市污水处理厂数目迅速增加,低成本、高效率的污泥农用受到越来越多的关注。研究从北到南的五家污水处理厂消化污泥中矿质元素的含量和形态分布,为污泥资源化的合理利用提供科学参考。结果表明：消化污泥总体呈高有机质、高氮磷、低K、高矿质元素营养的相似性,但其理化性质如阳离子交换容量(CEC)、pH等差异较大,对矿质元素的形态分布与生物可利用性有明显的影响。同种元素在不同污泥中含量的差异较大,相差数倍,甚至十倍以上。污泥中不同元素含量明显不同,Fe的浓度最高,次之是Mg、Zn、B的浓度最低。连续提取研究表明,污泥pH对污泥中矿质元素的形态分布有明显影响,酸性污泥(厦门污水处理厂)中各矿质元素酸溶／交换态百分率明显高于其他污泥。Cu主要分布在氧化态;Zn的三态分布百分率均在10％以上;Mg、Mn的酸溶／交换态含量较高;Fe主要分布在残渣态;B氧化态和还原态的百分率较高。建议在全国范围内进行一次污水处理厂污泥品质调查,为污泥合理农用提供科学依据。     

城市污泥热解中试系统集成一体化研究及运行效果评估

为了促进城市污泥热解工艺的工程化应用,组建了污泥热解系统、热解产物分离回收利用系统、废气净化排放系统于一体较完整的热解中试装置,在实现污泥有效处置的同时也实现了高值能源回收利用。中试工况优化,较好工况为：热解时间30-40 min,热解终温450-500℃,在此条件下,干化污泥（含水率5%）减量率为50%;热值为33.8 MJ/kg的热解油产率为17.1%左右。通过对中试运行效果的评估,得出热解油和热解气两者能量或污泥炭自身能量可供干化污泥热解本身所需能量,从而为推动污水污泥热解工艺的工程化利用提供了支持。     

污泥生物沥滤工艺优化和重金属分配研究

为了得到嗜酸硫细菌沥滤污泥中重金属的最佳工艺参数,对沥滤过程进行3因素4水平的正交实验研究。3种影响因素的水平设置分别为:污泥浓度35、25、15和5 g/L,单质硫投加量15、10、5和1 g/L,接种量15、10、5和3 g/L。对沥滤过程污泥中7种重金属(As、Cd、Cr、Cu、Ni、Pb和Zn)的去除率进行极差分析,提出了因素影响程度依次为单质硫投加量污泥浓度接种量,且最佳工艺条件为:污泥浓度25 g/L,单质硫投加量10 g/L,接种量为5%。采用超声波-离心方法,分步提取污泥胞外聚合物(EPS)的2种形态:松散结合态(LB)和紧密结合态(TB)。分析其中的重金属浓度,提出沥滤后重金属在污泥EPS的赋存以LB为主。     

The strategy for conservation non-renewable natural resources through producing and application solid recovery fuel in the cement industry: a case study for Lithuania

This pilot study aimed to develop a production line for SRF production from RDF by extracting prohibited materials, grinding, and drying, and the energy potential for using SRF in the cement industry as an alternative fuel was evaluated. This paper defined the main characteristics of RDF, which were obtained after the separation of the biological fraction from MSW at an MBT plant. According to its characteristics, RDF can only be used for incineration in the CPP to obtain heat and energy. The produced SRF meets the requirements for fuel from waste and can be used as an alternative fuel for clinker firing. A technological process line for SRF production from RDF has been developed by adding technical units to the existing MBT line. The SRF production line yield was calculated as 4.47 t/h. At the end of the SRF production process, the moisture content of the finished product decreased by 85%, and the volume decreased by 18%. The obtained SRF had a high calorific value, low moisture content, and a permissible value of chlorine and mercury. It was proposed that the produced SRF and sewage sludge (already used during the clinker firing process) be utilized as alternative fuels since they correspond to the oxide composition of the finished clinker in elemental and oxide composition. A calculation to assess the economic and environmental efficiency of the use of SRF in the cement kiln was conducted. The result showed that using 10% SRF as a substitute fuel for coal used in clinker roasting at 1.92 t/h would save 601.7 USD/h coal costs. This use of SRF will emit 3.7 t/h CO₂ and achieve net savings of 754.7 USD/h.