Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Kinetic study of pyrolysis of waste water treatment plant sludge

  • Original Paper
  • Published:
Chemical Papers Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Activated sewage sludge samples obtained from two different waste water treatment plants were investigated by thermogravimetric analysis. Due to a very high content of water in the sludge samples, these had to be dried at 160°C in an electrical oven in order to remove all adsorbed water. To ensure pyrolysis conditions, nitrogen atmosphere was applied. The pyrolysis decomposition process was carried out in the temperature range from ambient temperature to 900°C at three different heating rates: 2 K min−1, 5 K min−1, 10 K min−1. TGA and DTG curves of the decomposition processes were obtained. Temperature of onset decomposition, final temperature of decomposition, maximum decomposition rate, and decomposition temperature were determined by thermogravimetric analysis for both sludge samples used. The main decomposition process takes place at temperatures in the range from 230°C to 500°C. Above this temperature, there are only small changes in the mass loss which are often attributed to the decomposition of carbonates present in the sewage sludge samples. To determine the apparent kinetic parameters such as the activation energy and the preexponential factor, the so called Friedman isoconversional method was used. Because of the requirements of this method, initial and final parts of the decomposition process, where crossings of the decomposition lines occurred, were cut off. Obtained dependencies of the apparent activation energies and preexponential factors as a function of conversion were used backwards to calculate the modeled decomposition process of sewage sludge and the experimental data were in good accordance with the data obtained by simulation.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Biagini, E., Fantei, A., & Tognotti, L. (2008). Effect of the heating rate on the devolatilization of biomass residues. Thermochimica Acta, 472, 55–63. DOI: 10.1016/j.tca.2008.03.015.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Bridgwater, A. V. (2004). Biomass fast pyrolysis. Thermal Science, 8(2), 21–49.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bridgwater, A. V., Toft, A. J., & Brammer, J. G. (2002). A techno-economic comparison of power production by biomass fast pyrolysis with gasification and combustion. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 6, 181–246. DOI: 10.1016/S1364-0321(01)00010-7.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Calvo, L. F., Otero, M., Jenkins, B. M., Garcia, A. I., & Morán, A. (2004). Heating process characteristics and kinetics of sewage sludge in different atmospheres. Thermochimica Acta, 409, 127–135. DOI: 10.1016/S0040-6031(03)00359-9.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Di Blasi, C. (2008). Modeling chemical and physical processes of wood and biomass pyrolysis. Progress in Energy and Combustion Science, 34, 47–90. DOI: 10.1016/j.pecs.2006.12.001.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Drtil, M., & Hutňan, M. (2007). Technologický projekt: časť procesy a technológie čistenia odpadových vôd (Technological project: processes and waste water cleaning technologies). Bratislava, Slovakia: Vydavatel’stvo NOI. ISBN 978-80-89088-57-7

    Google Scholar 

  • Folgueras, M. B., Díaz, R. M., Xiberta, J., & Prieto, I. (2003). Thermogravimetric analysis of the co-combustion of coal and sewage sludge. Fuel, 82, 2051–2055. DOI: 10.1016/S0016-2361(03)00161-3.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Fonts, I., Azuara, M., Gea, G., & Murillo, M. B. (2009). Study of the pyrolysis liquids obtained from different sewage sludge. Journal of Analytical and Applied Pyrolysis, 85, 184–191. DOI: 10.1016/j.jaap.2008.11.003.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Fytili, D., & Zabaniotou, A. (2008). Utilization of sewage sludge in EU application of old and new methods—A review. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 12, 116–140. DOI: 10.1016/j.rser.2006.05.014.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • García Barneto, A., Ariza Carmona, J., Martín Alfonso, J. E., & Díaz Blanco, J. (2009). Kinetic models based in biomass components for the combustion and pyrolysis of sewage sludge and its compost. Journal of Analytical and Applied Pyrolysis, 86, 108–114. DOI: 10.1016/j.jaap.2009.04.011.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gašparovič, L., Koreňová, Z., & Jelemenský, Ľ. (2009). Kinetic study of wood chips decomposition by TGA. Chemical Papers, 64, 174–181. DOI: 10.2478/s11696-009-0109-4.

    Google Scholar 

  • Grønli, M. G., Várhegyi, G., & Di Blasi, C. (2002). Thermogravimetric analysis and devolatilization kinetics of wood. Industrial & Engineering Chemistry Research, 41, 4201–4208. DOI: 10.1021/ie0201157.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ji, A., Zhang, S., Lu, X., & Liu, Y. (2009). A new method for evaluating the sewage sludge pyrolysis kinetics. Waste Management, 30, 1225–1229. DOI: 10.1016/j.wasman.2009.10.003.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kirch, K., Augenstein, D., Batmale, J. P., Benemann, J., Rutledge, B., & Salour, D. (2005). Biomethane from dairy waste. San Francisco, CA, USA: Sustainable Conservation.

    Google Scholar 

  • Koreňová, Z., Juma, M., Annus, J., Markoš, J., & Jelemensky, L. (2006). Kinetics of pyrolysis and properties of carbon black from a scrap tire. Chemical Papers, 60, 422–426. DOI: 10.2478/s11696-006-0077-x.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kumar, A., Wang, L., Dzenis, Y. A., Jones, D. D., & Hanna, M. A. (2008). Thermogravimetric characterization of corn stover as gasification and pyrolysis feedstock. Biomass and Bioenergy, 32, 460–467. DOI: 10.1016/j.biombioe.2007.11.004.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Li, Z., Liu, C., Chen, Z., Qian, J., Zhao, W., & Zhu, Q. (2009). Analysis of coals and biomass pyrolysis using the distributed activation energy model. Bioresource Technology, 100, 948–952. DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2008.07.032.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Mohan, D., Pittman, C. U., Jr., & Steele, P. H. (2006). Pyrolysis of wood/biomass for bio-oil: A critical review. Energy & Fuels, 20, 848–889. DOI: 10.1021/ef0502397.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Müller-Hagedorn, M., Bockhorn, H., Krebs, L., & Müller, U. (2003). A comparative kinetic study on the pyrolysis of three different wood species. Journal of Analytical and Applied Pyrolysis, 68–69, 231–249. DOI: 10.1016/S0165-2370(03)00065-2.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Munir, S., Daood, S. S., Nimmo, W., Cunliffe, A. M., & Gibbs, B. M. (2009). Thermal analysis and devolatilization kinetics of cotton stalk, sugar cane bagasse and shea meal under nitrogen and air atmospheres. Bioresource Technology, 100, 1413–1418. DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2008.07.065.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Nowicki, L., Stolarek, P., Olewski, T., Bedyk, T., & Ledakowicz, S. (2008). Mechanism and kinetics of sewage sludge pyrolysis by thermogravimetry and mass spectrometry analysis. Chemical and Process Engineering, 29, 813–825.

    Google Scholar 

  • Otero, M., Calvo, L. F., Gil, M. V., García, A. I., & Morán, A. (2008). Co-combustion of different sewage sludge and coal: A non-isothermal thermogravimetric kinetic analysis. Bioresource Technology, 99, 6311–6319. DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2007.12.011.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Otero, M., Gómez, X., García, A. I., & Morán, A. (2007). Effects of sewage sludge blending on the coal combustion: A thermogravimetric assessment. Chemosphere, 69, 1740–1750. DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2007.05.077.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Paik, P., & Kar, K. K. (2009). Thermal degradation kinetics and estimation of lifetime of polyethylene particles: Effects of particle size. Materials Chemistry and Physics, 113, 953–961. DOI: 10.1016/j.matchemphys.2008.08.075.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Quan, C., Li, A., & Gao, N. (2009). Thermogravimetric analysis and kinetic study on large particles of printed circuit board wastes. Waste Management, 29, 2353–2360. DOI: 10.1016/j.wasman.2009.03.020.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Samtani, M., Dollimore, D., & Alexander, K. S. (2002). Comparison of dolomite decomposition kinetics with related carbonates and the effect of procedural variables on its kinetic parameters. Thermochimica Acta, 392.393, 135–145. DOI: 10.1016/S0040-6031(02)00094-1.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Scott, S. A., Dennis, J. S., Davidson, J. F., & Hayhurst, A. N. (2006). Thermogravimetric measurements of the kinetics of pyrolysis of dried sewage sludge. Fuel, 85, 1248–1253. DOI: 10.1016/j.fuel.2005.11.003.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Šimon, P. (2004). Isoconversional methods: Fundamentals, meaning and application. Journal of Thermal Analysis and Calorimetry, 76, 123–132. DOI: 10.1023/B:JTAN.0000027811.80036.6c.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Thipkhunthod, P., Meeyoo, V., Rangsunvigit, P., & Rirksomboon, T. (2007). Describing sewage sludge pyrolysis kinetics by a combination of biomass fractions decomposition. Journal of Analytical and Applied Pyrolysis, 79, 78–85 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaap.2006.10.005.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Tsai, W.-T., Chang, J.-H., Hsien, K.-J., & Chang, Y.-M. (2009). Production of pyrolytic liquids from industrial sewage sludges in an induction-heating reactor. Bioresource Technology, 100, 406–412. DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2008.06.013.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Wang, G., Li, W., Li, B., & Chen, H. (2008). TG study on pyrolysis of biomass and its three components under syngas. Fuel, 87, 552–558. DOI: 10.1016/j.fuel.2007.02.032.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Xiao, H.-M., Ma, X.-Q., & Lai, Z.-Y. (2009). Isoconversional kinetic analysis of co-combustion of sewage sludge with straw and coal. Applied Energy, 86, 1741–1745. DOI: 10.1016/j.apenergy.2008.11.016.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Yang, H., Yan, R., Chen, H., Lee, D. H., & Zheng, C. (2007). Characteristics of hemicellulose, cellulose and lignin pyrolysis. Fuel, 86, 1781–1788. DOI: 10.1016/j.fuel.2006.12.013.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Chemical and Food Technology, Slovak University of Technology, Radlinského 9, 812 37, Bratislava, Slovakia

    Lukáš Gašparovič, Ivan Hrablay, Zuzana Vojteková & Ľudovít Jelemenský

Authors
  1. Lukáš Gašparovič
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Ivan Hrablay
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Zuzana Vojteková
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Ľudovít Jelemenský
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Ľudovít Jelemenský.

Additional information

Presented at the 37th International Conference of the Slovak Society of Chemical Engineering, Tatranské Matliare, 24–28 May 2010.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Gašparovič, L., Hrablay, I., Vojteková, Z. et al. Kinetic study of pyrolysis of waste water treatment plant sludge. Chem. Pap. 65, 139–146 (2011). https://doi.org/10.2478/s11696-010-0081-z

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/s11696-010-0081-z

Keywords

Search

Navigation