Circular Economy approaches to Digested Sludge Utilization in a Wastewater Treatment Plant Based on Hydrothermal Carbonization and Complementary Technologies
CeSuds addresses regulatory and environmental challenges of EU wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs), including energy demand, greenhouse gas emissions and stringent effluent and sludge quality requirements. To comply with EU directives (86/278/EEC, and 91/271/EEC amended by 2024/3019 Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive) and align with EU resource efficiency and circularity objectives embedded in the Critical Raw Materials Act, WWTPs must improve pollution reduction, increase resource recovery and minimise environmental impact. The project proposes an integrated sludge management system combining anaerobic processes with hydrothermal carbonisation (HTC) and resource recovery technologies, creating a closed-loop economy model for WWTPs. By optimising HTC, CeSuds aims to increase WWTPs’ energy efficiency, improve sewage sludge treatment while managing nutrients and reduce operational costs and environmental impacts. CeSuds develops machine-learning-based predictive models and digital tools to optimise HTC variables and predict product quality, facilitating WWTP operator decision-making. Research objectives include experimental studies of HTC processes, management of by-products and demonstration of the developed technology at higher technology readiness levels (TRLs). Particular emphasis is placed on compliance with European standards for fertilisers, environmental and economic assessment using Life Cycle Assessment and Environmental Life Cycle Cost tools, as well as socio-legal assessment of integrated technology in EU regions. CeSuds provides multidisciplinary training for Doctoral Candidates, developing competences in chemical and process engineering, computational science, environmental science, chemistry, biotechnology, microbiology and environmental/legal management for sustainable solutions. The consortium’s work will culminate in open-access tools and policy recommendations to facilitate the implementation of optimised sludge management strategies in EU WWTPs.
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Imported from OpenAIRE Italy | Grant 101312245.
Open sourceOverview
Grant agreement 101312245 | CeSuds
Open sourceCeSuds addresses regulatory and environmental challenges of EU wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs), including energy demand, greenhouse gas emissions and stringent effluent and sludge quality requirements. To comply with EU directives (86/278/EEC, and 91/271/EEC amended by 2024/3019 Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive) and align with EU resource efficiency and circularity objectives embedded in the Critical Raw Materials Act, WWTPs must improve pollution reduction, increase resource recovery and minimise environmental impact. The project proposes an integrated sludge management system combining anaerobic processes with hydrothermal carbonisation (HTC) and resource recovery technologies, creating a closed-loop economy model for WWTPs. By optimising HTC, CeSuds aims to increase WWTPs’ energy efficiency, improve sewage sludge treatment while managing nutrients and reduce operational costs and environmental impacts. CeSuds develops machine-learning-based predictive models and digital tools to optimise HTC variables and predict product quality, facilitating WWTP operator decision-making. Research objectives include experimental studies of HTC processes, management of by-products and demonstration of the developed technology at higher technology readiness levels (TRLs). Particular emphasis is placed on compliance with European standards for fertilisers, environmental and economic assessment using Life Cycle Assessment and Environmental Life Cycle Cost tools, as well as socio-legal assessment of integrated technology in EU regions. CeSuds provides multidisciplinary training for Doctoral Candidates, developing competences in chemical and process engineering, computational science, environmental science, chemistry, biotechnology, microbiology and environmental/legal management for sustainable solutions. The consortium’s work will culminate in open-access tools and policy recommendations to facilitate the implementation of optimised sludge management strategies in EU WWTPs.