The Effects of Washing Techniques on Thermal Combustion Properties of Sewage Sludge Chars

Sewage sludge chars were subjected to washing to produce a clean solid fuel of superior quality. First, sewage sludge was converted into chars at different carbonization temperatures (400–700 °C), and then the produced chars were washed with various washing techniques, i.e., water (W), hydrochloric acid (HCl), ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid (EDTA) and ultrasound-assisted water to further reduce ash and heavy metal contents. The washed chars were systematically characterized and their fuel properties were analyzed. The results indicated that all washing techniques decreased ash content of chars and improved their fuel ratio. The washed chars exhibited higher heating values, lower slagging and ash fouling indexes and higher combustion reactivity, indicating the better quality of the derived fuels. Among the washing techniques, HCl washing was the most efficient process as carbon content increased by 20%, while ash content decreased by 50%. The fuel ratio as well as slagging and ash fouling indexes were significantly improved. Furthermore, the combustion reactivity showed similar pattern to coal with high conversion rate suggesting the enhanced thermal stability of the fuel. In conclusion, pyrolysis as a single process seems inefficient to produce high quality chars; however, coupling pyrolysis with washing can yield chars with satisfactory fuel properties. Graphic abstract: [Figure not available: see fulltext.].