Institutional Repository
Technical University of Crete
Technical University of Crete
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| URI: | http://purl.tuc.gr/dl/dias/0B6E9164-3D50-4A38-BA6D-FC54D0D0BAB4 | ||
| Year | 2025 | ||
| Type of Item | Diploma Work | ||
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| Bibliographic Citation | Foteini-Evangelia Spiliotopoulou, "Life cycle assessment of biochar production by sewage sludge pyrolysis", Diploma Work, School of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Technical University of Crete, Chania, Greece, 2025 https://doi.org/10.26233/heallink.tuc.103809 | ||
| Appears in Collections |
Biochar is the solid product of biomass pyrolysis, and it has been the epicenter of research in recent years as a promising product for biomass valorisation. The biochar can be utilized as adsorption material, soil amendment, CO2 sequestration, and fuel. Given the high quantities of sewage sludge produced worldwide owing to population growth and urbanization, the sewage sludge pyrolysis has gained high interest towards biochar production, sustainability and utilization. Recent research on the effect of sewage sludge organic and inorganic constituents for the exploitation of pyrolysis products, sewage sludge was mixed separately with humic acid (HA), CaO and kaolin and then pyrolyzed at 700°C. The HA was used to represent organic substances, while CaO and kaolin were used as representatives of Ca and aluminosilicate compounds, respectively. The results showed that the biochar yield increased for all three alternative scenarios compared to SS pyrolysis, while the stabilization of heavy metals was enhanced. These results are important when biochar is utilized as a soil amendment. This study examined the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) of sewage sludge pyrolysis with subsequent utilization of biochar product. Different environmental impact categories were determined like climate change (kg CO2-eq), fine particulate matter formation (kg PM2.5-eq), etc. The LCA framework included the goal and scope definition, life cycle inventory analysis (LCI), life cycle impact assessment (LCIA), and interpretation of results. The LCA was specifically designed on process assessment, including systems boundaries. According to the Life Cycle Assessment results, the PYR-H scenario demonstrates the lowest impacts on climate change and water consumption, making it the most sustainable option. The PYR-C scenario showed improved performance in terms of human health and reduction of PM2.5 particles, while PYR-K exhibited an advantage in the terrestrial ecotoxicity indicator.
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