Analysis of the gases produced during the thermal treatment of sludge from water treatment plants.

• Grant number: 25/21562-4
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: November 01, 2025
• End date: October 31, 2026
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Sanitary Engineering - Environmental Sanitation
• Principal Investigator: Fabiana Alves Fiore Pinto
• Grantee: Mariah Demarchi Nardone
• Host Institution: Instituto de Ciência e Tecnologia (ICT). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de São José dos Campos. São José dos Campos , SP, Brazil
• Company: Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de São José dos Campos. Instituto de Ciência e Tecnologia (ICT)
• Associated research grant: 20/12230-4 - Determination of technological requirements for adequation of the physical and chemical properties of water treatment plant sludge, for beneficial use in earth work, AP.PITE

Abstract

Studies have demonstrated the viability of using water treatment plant sludge (WTPS) as an alternative to natural materials in civil engineering projects. These studies show that WTPS can be used in geotechnical projects and in ceramic products such as tiles and bricks, as well as in concrete, mortar and expanded clay. As WTPS has a high moisture content, it is common practice to dewater it before use. One method of removing moisture from WTPS is heat treatment, a process which has already been implemented on a large scale in Brazil. In some civil engineering applications, the material is burned at high temperatures, for instance in the production of ceramic materials and expanded clays. Thermal treatment of WTPS is also necessary for other beneficial applications, such as incorporating cementing agents and removing organic matter. It is known that WTPS contain organic and inorganic elements that pose recognised risks to human health, such as heavy metals. However, few studies have evaluated the composition of the gases generated when these materials are heated. This project aims to analyse the composition of gases produced during the thermal treatment of sludge from water treatment plants. (AU)