Sewage sludge as a renewable energy carrier and CO2 zero emission biomass in CO-combustion with coal

Sewage sludge management in Poland is a major environmental problem. The preferred solution to this problem may be co-combustion of sludge with coal in existing power plants. The paper presents the current legal basis and the benefits associated with the recognition of sewage sludge as renewable energy carrier and biomass with zero CO2 emission factor in the processes of coal cocombustion. Energy parameters of sewage sludge resulting from its organic fraction, which is mostly biodegradable material, have been characterized. The results of investigation of the biodegradable fraction content in sewage sludge by the method of selective dissolution have also been presented.