Technical, financial, and environmental evaluation of the alkaline sanitization of sewage sludge for its transformation into biosolid
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.15359/rca.59-1.6Keywords:
biosolid, circular economy, liming, sanitation, wastewater sludgeAbstract
[Introduction]: The search for techniques and methods for managing sludge generated during wastewater treatment is necessary to ensure a sustainable sanitation in the medium term in Costa Rica. An interesting approach involves converting sludge into a biosolid usable in agriculture through alkaline sanitization. [Objective]: This article evaluated the efficacy and economic and environmental viability of this technique for obtaining an agriculturally usable type A biosolid from municipal wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) sludge. [Methodology]: To this end, the efficacy in reducing microbiological parameters was experimentally tested at the laboratory scale using quicklime, for anaerobic and aerobic WWTP sludge. The experimental results fed a benefit/cost analysis model and a life cycle assessment. [Results]: It was confirmed that the application of a 40% lime dose allowed the obtention of a type A biosolid with non-detectable concentrations of pathogenic microorganisms, which remained in that condition for more than 30 days. Additionally, the benefit/cost and life cycle analyses concluded that this option would be more attractive than sludge disposal in a landfill, due to the corresponding savings in chemical compounds (fertilizers, agricultural lime). [Conclusions]: Therefore, alkaline sanitization can be considered suitable for WWTP sludge management in Costa Rica. Its application on a larger scale should be further investigated.
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