Review of the Influence of Thermal Hydrolysis on the Production of Aqueous Recalcitrant Compounds

Barber, W. P. F.

The 19th IWA Conference on Sludge Management Toward material cycle and low carbon society (2025)

Abstract

Thermal hydrolysis, a process whereby sewage sludge is pressure cooked typically prior to digestion, has gained in popularity in recent years. This has been mainly due to increased performance and loading rates of downstream processes which in turn reduce costs and environmental footprint. However, pressure cooking sludge creates a number of colored compounds which are typically refractory and end up in the final effluent. Furthermore, these compounds have been known to interfere with liquor treatment processes and disinfection systems. Therefore, an understanding of how they are produced and how they can be alleviated is of significant importance. This paper provides a high level summary related to their production and management. 

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