Environmental evaluation of alternatives for the treatment of WWTP sludge

To evaluate the environmental impact of the different management options for the treatment of sludge generated in different WWTPs (Wastewater Treatment Plant) of a region, comparing also different management technologies, in order to identify which is the most environmentally sustainable option.
The environmental assessment of the different scenarios is based on two main aspects:
- Calculation of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions associated with each of the scenarios
- Calculation of fossil energy consumption associated with each of the scenarios
The different technological alternatives evaluated have been:
- Composting
- Thermophilic Autosustainaed Aerobic Digestion (ATAD)
- Mesophilic and thermophilic anaerobic digestions (DAM and DAT)
- Different uses of biogas (CHP application on site, replacement of natural gas, use as fuel for transport