PROJECT DESCRIPTION
BACKGROUND
The SLUDGE2VALUELIFE project integrates sludge treatment with efficient bioproducts generation through a circular economy approach. It aims to convert sludge from paper mill wastewater treatment plants into bio-products and bio-energy via a carbon-negative, energy-positive, process. Traditional disposal methods are limited due to cost and environmental concerns, while alternatives struggle with the sludge's high moisture content and viscosity. SLUDGE2VALUELIFE offers an innovative, cost-effective and environmentally-friendly solution to address the hurdles of sludge management based on an innovative combination of torrefaction and hydrolysis. More specifically, the project is based on TORWASH reactor technology (WO2021032842) which separates the sludge into solids, transforming them into a carbon-negative substrate, and liquid, put through anaerobic digestion in a UASB reactor. Thus, the process produces both biofuel with a high heating value (HHV=20 GJ/ton vs 18 GJ/ton of wood) and biogas, to heat the reactor and post-dry the sludge guaranteeing an energy-positive operation. In this project the sludge is processed locally at the wastewater treatment plant, reducing the need to transport material and avoiding the use of chemicals in the process. The project will process sludge at a 1,760 ds ton/year capacity, producing 1,170 tons/year of biofuel and 304,000 Nm3/year of biogas within the project duration hence proving the technology at pre-industrial scale (TRL8), boosting the adoption of resource- and cost-efficient circular sludge treatment, secure market acceptance, and incorporate sustainability into the lifecycle of bio-based products, supporting the EU’s Circular Economy Action Plan and the transition to a sustainable bioeconomy.