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20 resultsShowing papers similar to Fate of microplastic during pyrolysis of sewage sludge
ClearFate of microplastic during pyrolysis of sewage sludge
Researchers examined how pyrolysis as a sewage sludge treatment method affects the fate of embedded microplastics, finding that thermal treatment largely destroys plastic particles. However, some polymer-derived volatile compounds transferred to pyrolysis gases and oils, suggesting that microplastic destruction does not eliminate all associated chemical risks.
Microplastics Mitigation in Sewage Sludge through Pyrolysis: The Role of Pyrolysis Temperature
The effect of pyrolysis on reducing microplastic content in sewage sludge was investigated in a lab-scale study evaluating multiple pyrolysis temperature conditions. Pyrolysis effectively degraded microplastic particles in sludge, with higher temperatures achieving greater microplastic reduction, positioning pyrolysis as a viable treatment for managing microplastic-laden organic waste.
How microplastics affect sludge pyrolysis behavior: Thermogravimetry-mass spectrum analysis and biochar characteristics
Microplastics in sewage sludge alter how the sludge burns during pyrolysis: PVC microplastics sped up decomposition while polyethylene and polypropylene slowed it down. This matters because sewage sludge from wastewater plants contains thousands of microplastic particles per kilogram, and understanding how they change the energy recovery and byproduct quality of sludge treatment helps improve the management of this widespread microplastic sink.
Microplastic Degradation through Thermal Hydrolysis in Sewage Sludge and Its Impact on the Anaerobic Process
Researchers found that thermal hydrolysis pretreatment of sewage sludge reduced microplastic concentrations from 206 particles/g to lower levels, with approximately 54% of microplastics initially in solid phase, and examined the implications for sludge management and microplastic fate.
MicroplasticDegradation through Thermal Hydrolysisin Sewage Sludge and Its Impact on the Anaerobic Process
Researchers investigated the fate of microplastics in sewage sludge during thermal hydrolysis pretreatment and found that temperatures of 140-180°C significantly degraded microplastics while also affecting subsequent anaerobic biogas production from the treated sludge.
Quantitatively tracing microplastics in sewage sludge using thermodesorption gas chromatography/mass spectrometry combined with pyrolysis
Researchers developed a mass-based method using pyrolysis combined with thermal desorption gas chromatography to trace microplastics through sewage sludge treatment processes. They found that total microplastic concentrations dropped from about 8,700 micrograms per gram in primary sludge to roughly 470 micrograms per gram in final treated sludge. Centrifugal dewatering was the most effective step for removing microplastics, while thermal hydrolysis and anaerobic digestion had minimal impact.
Pyrolysis behavior of sewage sludge coexisted with microplastics: Kinetics, mechanism, and product characteristics
Researchers investigated the co-pyrolysis behavior of sewage sludge mixed with polyethylene and polylactic acid microplastics. They found that the presence of microplastics improved the overall pyrolysis performance and altered the composition of the resulting bio-oil and gas products. The study suggests that understanding how microplastics in sewage sludge affect thermal treatment could help optimize waste processing at wastewater treatment plants.
Medium-Low Temperature Conditions Induce the Formation of Environmentally Persistent Free Radicals in Microplastics with Conjugated Aromatic-Ring Structures during Sewage Sludge Pyrolysis
Researchers found that incomplete pyrolysis of sewage sludge at medium-low temperatures left residual microplastics containing high levels of environmentally persistent free radicals, particularly from polystyrene and other aromatic-ring plastics. Increasing pyrolysis temperature reduced microplastic residues but required tradeoffs with other sludge treatment objectives.
Changes in physicochemical and leachate characteristics of microplastics during hydrothermal treatment of sewage sludge
Researchers examined hydrothermal treatment of sewage sludge containing microplastics and found that while the process degraded polyethylene, polystyrene, and PET to varying degrees, it also generated potentially harmful leachates, highlighting trade-offs in this treatment approach.
Fate of microplastics during conventional and hydrothermal treatments of sewage sludge: a short review
This review examines the fate of microplastics during conventional and hydrothermal treatment of sewage sludge, noting that approximately 90% of microplastics entering wastewater treatment plants are retained in sludge. Researchers found that while conventional disposal routes concentrate microplastics in sludge destined for land application, hydrothermal treatments offer potential pathways to degrade or transform microplastics, though the efficiency and byproducts of these processes require further investigation.
Current understanding on the fate of contaminants during hydrothermal treatment of sewage sludge
This review examines how hydrothermal treatment of sewage sludge handles various contaminants including microplastics, heavy metals, and pharmaceuticals. While the high-temperature water treatment can break down many pollutants, its effectiveness against microplastics specifically is still being studied. Since sewage sludge is often spread on farmland, understanding how well treatment destroys microplastics is important for preventing them from entering the food supply.
Microplastics in sewage sludge destined to anaerobic digestion: The potential role of thermal pretreatment
Researchers found that thermal pretreatment of sewage sludge at 120°C did not degrade conventional PET microplastics but did alter biodegradable microplastics, which also boosted methane production during anaerobic digestion, raising concerns about how different microplastic types behave in sludge treatment.
Unraveling Co-Pyrolysis Mechanisms for Municipal Sludge and Microplastics: Thermodynamic, Kinetic, and Product Insights
Wastewater treatment plants produce large quantities of sewage sludge, which is often contaminated with microplastics from household and industrial sources. This study tested whether co-pyrolyzing sludge with polyethylene (HDPE) or PET plastic waste at high temperatures could improve energy recovery while processing microplastics. Adding 30% HDPE maximized the overall pyrolysis efficiency and changed the chemical reaction pathways, while PET had stronger facilitating effects at mid-range temperatures. The research suggests that co-pyrolysis could serve the dual purpose of sludge disposal and microplastic destruction, though the altered reaction kinetics and product mixtures require careful management.
The Pyrolysis of Biosolids in a Novel Closed Coupled Pyrolysis and Gasification Technology: Pilot Plant Trials, Aspen Plus Modelling, and a Techno-Economic Analysis
Researchers tested a novel closed-coupled pyrolysis and gasification system for processing biosolids (sewage sludge), measuring energy recovery and the fate of contaminants including microplastics during thermal treatment. The system achieved high energy recovery while thermally destroying microplastics present in the biosolids.
Migration and transformation modes of microplastics in reclaimed wastewater treatment plant and sludge treatment center with thermal hydrolysis and anaerobic digestion
Researchers tracked how microplastics move and change throughout a wastewater treatment plant and a sludge treatment center that uses thermal hydrolysis and anaerobic digestion. They found that while the treatment plant removed about 98% of microplastics from the water, most particles ended up concentrated in the sludge. The study suggests that sludge disposal and reuse practices need to account for the microplastics that accumulate during wastewater treatment.
The Effect of Hydrothermal Carbonization Temperature on Microplastic Content in Digested Sewage Sludge and Its Relation to the Fuel Properties of Hydrochars
Hydrothermal carbonization temperature was found to influence how microplastics are transformed into hydrochar, affecting the properties of the resulting material. Optimizing this process could convert plastic waste into useful biochar-like materials while reducing the persistence of microplastics in the environment.
Amplifiers of environmental risk of microplastics in sewage sludge: Thermal drying treatment
Researchers found that thermal drying of sewage sludge increased microplastic abundance by approximately 10-fold compared to undried sludge, with enhanced fragmentation into smaller particles. This finding identifies thermal drying as a treatment process that amplifies rather than reduces the environmental risk of microplastics in sludge.
Microplastic Degradation in Sewage Sludge by Hydrothermal Carbonization: Efficiency and Mechanisms
Researchers evaluated hydrothermal carbonization as a method for degrading microplastics in sewage sludge. The study found that treatment at 260 degrees Celsius achieved a 79% reduction in microplastic concentrations, and investigated the decomposition mechanisms for different polymer types. The findings suggest that hydrothermal carbonization could be an effective approach for removing microplastics from sewage sludge before environmental disposal.
Fate of microplastics in a centralized biogas plant treating mainly sewage sludge
Researchers tracked the fate of microplastics through a centralized biogas plant treating sewage sludge, examining how anaerobic digestion and subsequent dewatering partition microplastics between solid and liquid digestate fractions. The study informs efforts to develop safer digestate-based recycled fertilizers that minimize microplastic introduction to agricultural soils, where 20-55% of microplastics entering wastewater treatment plants are estimated to end up in sludge.
Aging and mitigation of microplastics during sewage sludge treatments: An overview
Researchers reviewed how microplastics change and break down during sewage sludge treatment processes such as composting, anaerobic digestion, and thermal treatment. They found that while some treatment methods can reduce microplastic levels, others may actually fragment particles into smaller, potentially more harmful sizes. The study highlights the importance of optimizing sludge treatment to prevent microplastics from reaching agricultural soils when sludge is applied as fertilizer.