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An Innovative Technology to Minimize Biological Sludge Production and Improve Its Quality in a Circular Economy Perspective

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Emerging Pollutants in Sewage Sludge and Soils

Part of the book series: The Handbook of Environmental Chemistry ((HEC,volume 114))

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Abstract

In the coming years, the production of biological sewage sludge is set to increase. According to the European legislation, the management of sludge, as well as other waste, must follow a hierarchical approach according to which the first place in order of priority is represented by the prevention/minimization of the production. Over the last few years, thermophilic aerobic processes proved to be effective in minimizing the production of sludge within wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs). Thermophilic aerobic/anoxic membrane reactor (TAMR) technology combines the advantages of thermophilic aerobic treatments with those of biological membrane processes. This work reviews the literature concerning the application of TAMR focusing on the prevention of the production of biological sludge and on the improvement of its quality for the purpose of a possible recovery in agriculture in a circular economy perspective. The results show that the process is mature and effective for full-scale application in conventional WWTPs.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Civil Engineering and Architecture, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy

    Maria Cristina Collivignarelli, Francesca Maria Caccamo & Marco Carnevale Miino

  2. Interdepartmental Centre for Water Research, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy

    Maria Cristina Collivignarelli

Authors
  1. Maria Cristina Collivignarelli
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  2. Francesca Maria Caccamo
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  3. Marco Carnevale Miino
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Marco Carnevale Miino .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, University of Santiago de Compostela, Lugo, Spain

    Avelino Núñez-Delgado

  2. Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, University of Vigo, Ourense, Spain

    Manuel Arias-Estévez

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Collivignarelli, M.C., Caccamo, F.M., Carnevale Miino, M. (2022). An Innovative Technology to Minimize Biological Sludge Production and Improve Its Quality in a Circular Economy Perspective. In: Núñez-Delgado, A., Arias-Estévez, M. (eds) Emerging Pollutants in Sewage Sludge and Soils. The Handbook of Environmental Chemistry, vol 114. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/698_2022_852

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