Oxidative thermochemical treatment

Oxidative thermochemical treatment of sludge

Oxidative methods for sludge thermochemical treatment comprise incineration, wet air oxidation (WAO) and supercritical water oxidation (SCWO).

These processes convert the combustible organic matter to primarily carbon dioxide and water, along with other gaseous oxidised byproducts (such as nitrogen oxides or NO_x) present at lower concentrations, and a solid residue. The methods differ in terms of the operational temperature and pressure, the required feed sludge water content, and the nature and concentrations of gaseous and solid products generated.

Waste incinerator against a blue sky with clouds

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Incineration of sludge

Incineration is the most well established and widely implemented of the sludge thermochemical treatment processes

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Wet air oxidation (WAO) process showing reactor tank, gas-liquid separator, solid-liquid separator, and heat exchangers.

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Wet (air) oxidation of sludge

Wet/wet air oxidation of sludge is the thermal degradation, hydrolysis and oxidation of organics at high temperatures

States of water as a function of temperature and pressure, showing the critical point and the supercritical region

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Supercritical water oxidation (SCWO) of sludge

Supercritical water oxidation refers to the oxidation of organics in water in the so-called supercritical phase of water

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