https://www.vowasa.com/voices-of-vow/nataliia-kasian

Creating value from sewage.
Eurostat statistics show a wide variation in the destinations of sewage sludge: use as fertiliser for agriculture (Ireland, 89 % of total dry mass, 2019 data), composting (Hungary, 74 %, 2019 data), incineration (Netherlands, 87 %, 2018 data) or landfill (Malta, 100 %, 2019 data).

Despite new sewage management solutions emerging, recent knowledge and science show that some pollutants find their way into the environment. One of the recent discoveries is “forever chemicals” PFAS which may cause cancer and endocrine disruption.

Sewage sludge should not be seen as a problem or a waste but as a valuable resource. In my talk, I will share with you some thoughts and examples for sewage sludge pyrolysis focusing on:
1) Clean-up from pharmaceuticals, PFAS, PAH
2) Retaining heavy metals
3) Development of N- and P-rich fertilisers
4) Design of high-value adsorbents and catalysts
5) Enhancing the performance of sewage sludge
6) Cascade applications of sewage products
7) Can sewage biochar be a carbon sink?