Circular Economy Applied to Sludge Minimization: The STAR Project
The management of biological sludge from wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) poses a significant environmental challenge due to increasing sludge production and the presence of emerging pollutants. This study investigates an innovative solution by integrating a thermophilic aerobic membrane reactor...
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| Format: | Article |
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MDPI AG
2025-01-01
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| Series: | Membranes |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0375/15/1/15 |
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| author | Maria Cristina Collivignarelli Stefano Bellazzi Alessandro Abbà |
| author_facet | Maria Cristina Collivignarelli Stefano Bellazzi Alessandro Abbà |
| author_sort | Maria Cristina Collivignarelli |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The management of biological sludge from wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) poses a significant environmental challenge due to increasing sludge production and the presence of emerging pollutants. This study investigates an innovative solution by integrating a thermophilic aerobic membrane reactor (TAMR) into the sludge treatment line of a medium-size WWTP, aiming to minimize biological sludge output while enhancing resource recovery. The study involved a six-month monitoring of an industrial-scale TAMR system, assessing the reduction in volatile solids (VSs) in thickened sludge and evaluating the compatibility of TAMR residues with conventional activated sludge (CAS) systems. The TAMR unit, which achieved up to a 90% reduction in VSs, was combined with traditional CAS processes, forming the STAR (Sludge Treatment and Advanced Recycling) configuration. This configuration reduced sludge output to just 10% of conventional levels while enabling the recirculation of nutrient-rich liquid effluents. Both batch and continuous respirometric tests demonstrated the biological treatability of TAMR residues, highlighting their potential reuse as external carbon sources and their positive impact on CAS system performance. The findings suggest that integrating mesophilic and thermophilic systems can significantly improve sludge management efficiency, lowering both operating costs and environmental impacts. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-07c80c16ce8c4acc98a6c8c2758887b7 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2077-0375 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-01-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Membranes |
| spelling | doaj-art-07c80c16ce8c4acc98a6c8c2758887b72025-01-24T13:41:01ZengMDPI AGMembranes2077-03752025-01-011511510.3390/membranes15010015Circular Economy Applied to Sludge Minimization: The STAR ProjectMaria Cristina Collivignarelli0Stefano Bellazzi1Alessandro Abbà2Department of Civil Engineering and Architecture, University of Pavia, Via Ferrata 3, 27100 Pavia, ItalyDepartment of Civil Engineering and Architecture, University of Pavia, Via Ferrata 3, 27100 Pavia, ItalyDepartment of Civil, Environmental, Architectural Engineering and Mathematics, University of Brescia, Via Branze 43, 25123 Brescia, ItalyThe management of biological sludge from wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) poses a significant environmental challenge due to increasing sludge production and the presence of emerging pollutants. This study investigates an innovative solution by integrating a thermophilic aerobic membrane reactor (TAMR) into the sludge treatment line of a medium-size WWTP, aiming to minimize biological sludge output while enhancing resource recovery. The study involved a six-month monitoring of an industrial-scale TAMR system, assessing the reduction in volatile solids (VSs) in thickened sludge and evaluating the compatibility of TAMR residues with conventional activated sludge (CAS) systems. The TAMR unit, which achieved up to a 90% reduction in VSs, was combined with traditional CAS processes, forming the STAR (Sludge Treatment and Advanced Recycling) configuration. This configuration reduced sludge output to just 10% of conventional levels while enabling the recirculation of nutrient-rich liquid effluents. Both batch and continuous respirometric tests demonstrated the biological treatability of TAMR residues, highlighting their potential reuse as external carbon sources and their positive impact on CAS system performance. The findings suggest that integrating mesophilic and thermophilic systems can significantly improve sludge management efficiency, lowering both operating costs and environmental impacts.https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0375/15/1/15sludge minimizationresource recoverythermophilic membrane reactorrespirometric tests |
| spellingShingle | Maria Cristina Collivignarelli Stefano Bellazzi Alessandro Abbà Circular Economy Applied to Sludge Minimization: The STAR Project Membranes sludge minimization resource recovery thermophilic membrane reactor respirometric tests |
| title | Circular Economy Applied to Sludge Minimization: The STAR Project |
| title_full | Circular Economy Applied to Sludge Minimization: The STAR Project |
| title_fullStr | Circular Economy Applied to Sludge Minimization: The STAR Project |
| title_full_unstemmed | Circular Economy Applied to Sludge Minimization: The STAR Project |
| title_short | Circular Economy Applied to Sludge Minimization: The STAR Project |
| title_sort | circular economy applied to sludge minimization the star project |
| topic | sludge minimization resource recovery thermophilic membrane reactor respirometric tests |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0375/15/1/15 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT mariacristinacollivignarelli circulareconomyappliedtosludgeminimizationthestarproject AT stefanobellazzi circulareconomyappliedtosludgeminimizationthestarproject AT alessandroabba circulareconomyappliedtosludgeminimizationthestarproject |