Overview
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Read the articleAUTHORS
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Léa CABROL: Engineer INSA Toulouse - Doctorate in Process Engineering from the University of Montpellier II - Industrial Environment Engineering Laboratory, École des mines d'Alès - Veolia Environnement Research and Innovation
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Jean-Louis FANLO: Professor - Industrial Environment Engineering Laboratory, École des mines d'Alès
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Christophe RENNER: Head of "Gaseous Emissions Treatment" Division - Veolia Environnement Research and Innovation
INTRODUCTION
Waste management is a growing concern for public authorities, local authorities and industry alike. With the development of sanitation, the management of wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) sludge has become a major issue for those involved in water treatment. In 2006, according to the French Environment Institute (IFEN), 40% of national waste management expenditure was devoted to wastewater management. Since Decree 97-1133 of 1997, WWTP sludge has been considered as waste – within the meaning of the law of July 15, 1975 –, which means that it must be traceable, and the producer is responsible for its disposal. However, some of its characteristics make sludge a potentially valuable product, particularly after appropriate treatment and subject to strict quality criteria. Composting has proved to be an economically and ecologically interesting alternative for promoting the agricultural recovery of sewage sludge, as part of a sustainable development policy. However, the odor nuisance generated by industrial composting facilities is the source of complaints from local residents, which can even lead to the closure of the site. As one of the main obstacles to the development of composting, odor nuisance needs to be addressed. Numerous physical, chemical and biological processes are now available to control odors, in compliance with the discharge standards imposed by regulations.
The aim of this article is to present composting from its two a priori antagonistic angles: as an interesting alternative for problematic sludge management on the one hand, and as a source of secondary air pollution on the other. The article therefore begins by putting composting in context, addressing the problem of sludge management and presenting the strategic orientations governing the distribution of sludge in the various possible recovery and/or disposal channels. The article focuses on the composting process, underlining the advantages that make it a choice alternative for sludge recovery, in energy, environmental and economic terms. Finally, the focus is on odor emissions linked to composting, which it is important to know, understand and characterize in order to be able to deal with them. This is the most sensitive aspect of composting, and therefore the main obstacle to the industrial development of sewage sludge composting. In any case, regulations impose strict discharge standards, which are outlined at the end of the article.
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Paradox of composting: a solution for managing sewage sludge and a source of odor nuisance
Bibliography
Websites
ADEME (Agence de l'environnement et de la maîtrise de l'énergie): www.ademe.fr "Les boues d'épuration municipales et leur utilisation en agriculture", dossier prepared by the Comité National des Boues (CNB) available on : https://side.developpement-durable.gouv.fr/Default/doc/SYRACUSE/81642/boues-d-epuration-municipales-et-leur-utilisation-en-agriculture-les...
Standards and norms
- Organic amendments – Composts containing materials of agronomic interest from water treatment. AFNOR, 2002. Compulsory standard since 2004, modified by amendment NF U44-095/A1, 2008 - NF U44-095 - 2002
Regulations
In chronological order
Law no. 75-633 of July 15, 1975 on waste disposal and materials recovery (consolidated version as of September 21, 2000). JO of July 16, 1975 page 7279.
European Council Directive 86/278/EEC of June 12, 1986 on the protection of the environment, and in particular of the soil, when sewage sludge is used in agriculture. OJ n° L 181 of July 04 1986 page...
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