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Technology Assessment Report - Aqueous Sludge Gasification Technologies
Citation:
Kowalczuk, W. Technology Assessment Report - Aqueous Sludge Gasification Technologies. US Environmental Protection Agency, Cincinnati, OH, EPA/600/R/12/540, 2012.
Impact/Purpose:
Environmental Technology Assessment and Verification (ETAV) technology assessment report.
Description:
Sludge production in the United States is increasing with an increase in population. An estimated 7.2 million dry tons of treated and tested sewage sludge was generated in 2004 and 4.1 million tons of paper mill sludge was produced in 1995. Consequently, there is an increased need for efficient and environmentally sound management practices for sewage sludge from publicly owned treatment works (POTWs) and sludge from pulp and paper mills. Traditional methods to dispose of the sludge can require significant energy inputs, occupy otherwise useful real estate, and sometimes result in negative environmental aspects, including impacts on air, land, water, and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. This independent assessment independently evaluates sludge gasification technologies based on a review of currently available data. Pros and cons are presented for sludge gasification and its environmental impacts, sustainability, costs, and efficiency in converting sludge into usable fuels.