Biogas Production and Utilization Potential of Wastewater Treatment Sludge

Abstract

Municipal wastewater treatment plants generate sludge as a by-product of the physical, chemical and biological processes used in the treatment of wastewater. Generally, this sludge must be subject to some form of treatment in order to alter its character. By using anaerobic digestion in the treatment of wastewater sludge, methane gas is produced and it is known as biogas. It must not only be seen as a renewable energy source, but even more as one of the promising solutions to the large environmental problem concerning waste handling, water pollution, CO₂ emission, etc. This article presents the biogas generation from wastewater treatment sludge, its energy potential and also its usage in some treatment plants operated in Turkey. Although the estimation of recoverable energy from municipal wastes and sewage is difficult to assess, total recoverable bioenergy potential is estimated as being 16,920 ktoe. Of this, 1,300 ktoe of municipal wastes and sewage whereas biogas production potential is 1.5–2 Mtoe in Turkey.

Keywords:

• biogas
• energy
• sludge generation
• wastewater treatment

Notes

^a Predicted value.

^b Anaerobic digestion does not exist.