Preparation of Sewage Sludge as Substrate for Biochar Production

Sludge is the solid byproduct resulting from sewage treatment, excluding screened materials and sand. Effective management of sludge is crucial to ensure the anticipated environmental and sanitary benefits of sewage systems. The formation and chemical composition of sludge are significantly influenced by the wastewater treatment technology applied during the liquid phase. For instance, in traditional aerobic treatment methods like activated sludge, the average per capita sludge production reaches 70 gSST/day. In this context, we capitalized on thermal drying, utilizing methane as an energy source produced in sewage treatment. Following the drying process, the sludge retained 84% moisture and exhibited a carbon content of 12%. Thermal drying demonstrated efficiency, and the resultant product possesses characteristics conducive to its use as a raw material in biochar production. Biochar, in turn, exhibits a notable capacity for adsorbing greenhouse gases (GHG).