Original scientific paper
https://doi.org/10.37023/ee.12.1-2.3
PERSPECTIVES ON THE APPLICATION OF BIOCHAR PRODUCED FROM SEWAGE SLUDGE GASIFICATION IN WASTEWATER TREATMENT FOR HEAVY METALS REMOVAL
Domagoj Nakić
orcid.org/0000-0003-1747-5451
; Faculty of Civil Engineering, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
*
Hana Posavčić
orcid.org/0000-0001-6555-482X
; Faculty of Civil Engineering, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
Dominik Matošević
; Faculty of Civil Engineering, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
Ivan Tomaš
; Faculty of Civil Engineering, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
* Corresponding author.
Abstract
Sewage sludge disposal, being a costly and environmentally and socially sensitive process, increasingly burdens
utilities and municipalities. Therefore, thermal treatment processes, particularly gasification and pyrolysis, that minimize
environmental impacts while simultaneously producing by-products that generate energy, are increasingly gaining importance.
However, even in these processes, new by-products are generated and need to be properly disposed. At the same time,
increasingly stringent requirements for wastewater treatment are emerging, particularly with anticipated amendments to the
EU Directive and the introduction of the fourth level of treatment, primarily aimed at removal of micropollutants.
This paper links these issues: by using biochar, obtained by sludge gasification, as an adsorbent for the removal of heavy
metals from wastewater. As part of the preliminary research, a series of adsorption experiments on synthetic solutions
containing selected heavy metals was conducted, resulting in exceptionally high removal efficiencies, mostly over 90%. The
ultimate goal of the research is to examine various influencing factors and provide a perspective for the further sustainable
disposal of biochar.
Keywords
sewage sludge; gasification; biochar; adsorbent; heavy metals
Hrčak ID:
341604
URI
Publication date:
18.12.2025.
Visits: 476 *