Production, properties, and catalytic applications of sludge derived biochar for environmental remediation

Yi-di Chen; Rupeng Wang; Xiaoguang Duan; Shaobin Wang; Nan-Qi Ren; Shih-Hsin Ho

doi:10.1016/j.watres.2020.116390

Production, properties, and catalytic applications of sludge derived biochar for environmental remediation

Water Res. 2020 Dec 15:187:116390. doi: 10.1016/j.watres.2020.116390. Epub 2020 Sep 5.

Authors

Yi-di Chen¹, Rupeng Wang², Xiaoguang Duan³, Shaobin Wang⁴, Nan-Qi Ren¹, Shih-Hsin Ho⁵

Affiliations

¹ School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Harbin Institute of Technology (Shenzhen), Shenzhen, Guangdong 518055, China; State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and Environment, School of Environment, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150090, China.
² State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and Environment, School of Environment, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150090, China.
³ School of Chemical Engineering and Advanced Materials, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5005, Australia. Electronic address: xiaoguang.duan@adelaide.edu.au.
⁴ School of Chemical Engineering and Advanced Materials, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5005, Australia.
⁵ State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and Environment, School of Environment, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150090, China. Electronic address: stephen6949@hit.edu.cn.

PMID: 32950796
DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2020.116390

Abstract

Environment-friendly and cost-effective disposal and reutilization of sludge wastes are essential in wastewater treatment processes (WWTPs). Converting activated sludge into biochar via thermochemical treatment is a promising technology for waste management in WWTPs. This review summarizes the compositions of sludge, the dewatering methods, and the thermochemical methods whichinfluence the structures, chemistry, and catalytic performances of the derived biochar. Moreover, the physiochemical characteristics and chemical stability of sludge biochar are discussed. Catalytic applications of biochar are highlighted, including the reaction mechanisms and feasibility for catalytic removal of organic contaminants. High-temperature carbonized sludge biochar exhibits excellent performance for persulfate activation in advanced oxidation processes due to the graphitic carbon structure, newly-created active sites, and fine-tuned metal species. Therefore, the sludge biochar can be produced via cost-effective and eco-friendly approaches to immobilize harmful components from sludge and remediate organic pollution in wastewater, offering a sustainable route toward sludge reutilization into value-added products for water purification.

Keywords: Advanced oxidation processes; Biochar; Persulfate; Sludge; Sulfate radical; Thermal treatment.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Charcoal
Environmental Restoration and Remediation*
Sewage*
Wastewater

Substances

Sewage
Waste Water
biochar
Charcoal