Mechanical Engineering Commons^™

Techno- Economic Analysis Of Wastewater Biosolids Gasification, Jason M. Porter, Nick Lumley, Robert Braun, Tzahi Cath, Ana Prietro, Dotti Ramey, Greta Buschmann

Faculty Publications

Wastewater treatment biosolids, commonly referred to as sludge, is a dilute suspension of micro-organisms, noxious organic matter, and mineral species in up to 99% water. Sludge is produced at about 250 mg/L of mixed municipal and light industrial wastewater treated. Management of this process stream can present a financial and environmental challenge for wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs), accounting for up to 15% of plant energy consumption. Operators of small urban WWTPs see the greatest challenge as their operations do not benefit from economies of scale, which permit larger facilities to absorb the costs or footprint of anaerobic digestion. This work …