Evaluating energy balance and environmental footprint of sludge management in BRICS countries.

ABSTRACT: Climate change is driving global endeavours to achieve carbon neutrality and renewable energy expansion. Sludge, a nutrient-rich waste, holds energy potential yet poses environmental challenges that need proper management. We conducted a comprehensive life cycle assessment to evaluate the energy balance and environmental footprint of the most commonly used sludge management scenarios in BRICS countries, namely Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa. Technologies such as incineration and anaerobic digestion with energy recovery units (i.e., cogeneration unit) maximize energy balance and minimize the environmental footprint, with incineration showing a superior performance. Shifting sludge management scenarios from the worst to the best can boost energy production by 1.4-98.4 times a

SUBMITTER: Wang Z 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11404187 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature