Environmental and economic performances of incorporating Fenton-based processes into traditional sludge management systems

Zhang, R; Liu, X; Chen, R; Wang, Z; Lin, W; Ngo, HH; Nan, J; Li, G; Ma, J; Ding, A

Environmental and economic performances of incorporating Fenton-based processes into traditional sludge management systems

Zhang, R Liu, X Chen, R Wang, Z Lin, W Ngo, HH Nan, J Li, G Ma, J Ding, A

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Publisher:: Elsevier BV
Publication Type:: Journal Article
Citation:: Journal of Cleaner Production, 2022, 364, pp. 132613
Issue Date:: 2022-09-01

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Field	Value	Language
dc.contributor.author	Zhang, R
dc.contributor.author	Liu, X
dc.contributor.author	Chen, R
dc.contributor.author	Wang, Z
dc.contributor.author	Lin, W
dc.contributor.author	Ngo, HH
dc.contributor.author	Nan, J
dc.contributor.author	Li, G
dc.contributor.author	Ma, J
dc.contributor.author	Ding, A
dc.date.accessioned	2023-01-19T05:03:32Z
dc.date.available	2023-01-19T05:03:32Z
dc.date.issued	2022-09-01
dc.identifier.citation	Journal of Cleaner Production, 2022, 364, pp. 132613
dc.identifier.issn	0959-6526
dc.identifier.uri	http://hdl.handle.net/10453/165231
dc.description.abstract	Municipal and industrial wastewater treatment plants produce a tremendous amount of sludge containing organic and toxic components. One of the advanced oxidation processes (AOP) - Fenton process has demonstrated great prospect in reduction of sludge organics and toxicity. Fenton pretreatment could ameliorate the sludge dewaterability and biodegradability for anaerobic digestion (AD) process, and enhance the sludge lower heating value for incineration process, thus stimulating sludge dewatering, reduction and energy recovery. However, doubts remain about whether the incorporation of the Fenton process into the traditional sludge management systems brings environmental benefits. Hence, a life cycle environmental impact calculation model was established for sludge with various organic contents (60%, 70%, 80%) under the effect of Fenton and US/UV/Electro-Fenton processes. Noteworthy mitigation of environmental load was observed for the Fenton process coupled with incineration system, which involves high dewatering demand. Conversely, as for the AD system with high biomass transformation rate, Fenton process failed to attain the assumed promotion of environmental benefit. Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) prominently attributed to the weakness of Fenton process combined with AD (F-AD) scenario, compared with the AD scenario in terms of environmental impact. Summarily, the F-AD scenario acts as the preponderant system when weighing up the pros and cons of environmental impact, energy balance and life cycle cost. Contrary to the mainstream view, the proven technical advantages of Fenton process cannot compensate for the additional environmental loads in the life cycle of sludge. It provides valuable reflection for environmental managers and scholars that we should be more cautious in the application of cutting-edge technologies.
dc.language	en
dc.publisher	Elsevier BV
dc.relation.ispartof	Journal of Cleaner Production
dc.relation.isbasedon	10.1016/j.jclepro.2022.132613
dc.rights	info:eu-repo/semantics/embargoedAccess
dc.subject	0907 Environmental Engineering, 0910 Manufacturing Engineering, 0915 Interdisciplinary Engineering
dc.subject.classification	Environmental Sciences
dc.title	Environmental and economic performances of incorporating Fenton-based processes into traditional sludge management systems
dc.type	Journal Article
utslib.citation.volume	364
utslib.for	0907 Environmental Engineering
utslib.for	0910 Manufacturing Engineering
utslib.for	0915 Interdisciplinary Engineering
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology/School of Civil and Environmental Engineering
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Strength - CTWW - Centre for Technology in Water and Wastewater Treatment
utslib.copyright.status	open_access	*
utslib.copyright.embargo	2024-09-01T00:00:00+1000Z
dc.date.updated	2023-01-19T05:03:31Z
pubs.publication-status	Published
pubs.volume	364

Abstract:

Municipal and industrial wastewater treatment plants produce a tremendous amount of sludge containing organic and toxic components. One of the advanced oxidation processes (AOP) - Fenton process has demonstrated great prospect in reduction of sludge organics and toxicity. Fenton pretreatment could ameliorate the sludge dewaterability and biodegradability for anaerobic digestion (AD) process, and enhance the sludge lower heating value for incineration process, thus stimulating sludge dewatering, reduction and energy recovery. However, doubts remain about whether the incorporation of the Fenton process into the traditional sludge management systems brings environmental benefits. Hence, a life cycle environmental impact calculation model was established for sludge with various organic contents (60%, 70%, 80%) under the effect of Fenton and US/UV/Electro-Fenton processes. Noteworthy mitigation of environmental load was observed for the Fenton process coupled with incineration system, which involves high dewatering demand. Conversely, as for the AD system with high biomass transformation rate, Fenton process failed to attain the assumed promotion of environmental benefit. Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) prominently attributed to the weakness of Fenton process combined with AD (F-AD) scenario, compared with the AD scenario in terms of environmental impact. Summarily, the F-AD scenario acts as the preponderant system when weighing up the pros and cons of environmental impact, energy balance and life cycle cost. Contrary to the mainstream view, the proven technical advantages of Fenton process cannot compensate for the additional environmental loads in the life cycle of sludge. It provides valuable reflection for environmental managers and scholars that we should be more cautious in the application of cutting-edge technologies.

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