PROJECT DETAILS


  • Project No 4960
  • Project Name Investigating the feasibility of pyrolysis/co-pyrolysis of the Victorian biosolids and alum sludge
  • Lead Organisation South East Water
  • Research Lead RMIT University

Project Description

Biosolids, the main by product from wastewater treatment plants, have a high potential in agricultural applications because they contain important plant nutrients and they can function as soil amendments. However, there are limitations to direct soil application of biosolids due to odour, pathogens, PFAS, micro-plastics, pharmaceuticals, and high heavy metal concentration present biosolids. This project proposes co-pyrolysis of biosolids with other waste types as a technique to overcome these limitations. In co-pyrolysis process, biosolids are mixed with other types of waste feedstocks and then are transformed thermochemically to biochar, pyro-oil, and pyro-gas in oxygen free atmosphere. This process is expected to overcome existing barriers in biosolids management and soil applications by transforming biosolids into high quality biochar with low heavy metal content and destroy PFAS components present in biosolids. In addition, co-pyrolysis also evidently improves qualities of oil and gas products due to the synergetic effects between the feedstock materials.