Gasification As An Innovative Method of Sewage-Sludge Disposal

There is a significant amount of energy in the carbonaceous component of sewage sludge. Effective use can be made of this energy through conversion to the gaseous state followed by gas cleaning and subsequent firing of a gas turbine.
This paper (a) compares the technology for the gasification of dried sewage sludge, noting the advantages in favour of fuelling a gas turbine, (b) reviews the significance of the individual components in sewage sludge, and (c) provides a brief introduction to a demonstration project which was embarked upon by Northumbrian Water in conjunction with Lurgi, with the financial support of an ECU Thermie Grant.