LUJun-ying.Research on Carbon Emissions of Sludge Dewatering Drying and Incineration Process of Municipal Sewage Treatment Plant[J].China Water & Wastewater,2025,41(24):52-55.
Research on Carbon Emissions of Sludge Dewatering Drying and Incineration Process of Municipal Sewage Treatment Plant
China Water & Wastewater[ISSN:1000-4062/CN:12-1073/TU]
volume:
第41卷
Number:
第24期
Page:
52-55
Column:
Date of publication:
2025-12-17
- Keywords:
- sludge treatment; carbon emissions; water content of sludge; sludge dewatering and drying; sludge incineration
- Abstract:
- Taking a city in southern China as a case study, this research examines the carbon emissions of different sludge treatment scenarios, starting from the thickened sludge at the wastewater treatment plant. The three scenarios analyzed are: on-site dewatering and drying + off-site centralized incineration (with sludge moisture content of 40% upon leaving the wastewater treatment plant), on-site deep dewatering + off-site centralized incineration (with sludge moisture content of 60% upon leaving the wastewater treatment plant), and on-site conventional dewatering + off-site drying/incineration (with sludge moisture content of 80% upon leaving the wastewater treatment plant). The result shows that lower water content in the sludge discharged from the WWTP leads to lower calculated carbon emissions. When the water content of sludge is 40% and 60%, the carbon emission of electricity usage accounts for the largest proportion of total carbon emissions, accounting for 31% and 27%, respectively. However, when the water content of sludge is 80%, the carbon emissions from additional fuel usage contributes to approximately 43% of the total carbon emissions. Therefore, to reduce carbon emissions in the sludge treatment and disposal process, it is recommended to utilize energy-efficient equipment, minimize chemical additives, reduce reliance on natural gas and other energy sources, and maximize the utilization of incorporate waste heat steam, biomass, and other sustainable heat sources.
Last Update:
2025-12-17