Biological and thermal treatment of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in sewage sludge at Fuglevik wastewater treatment plant (WWTP)

Abstract

The goal of the research was to examine the removal of PFAS within sewage sludge present at Fuglevik WWTP through biological and thermal methods. We examined how PFAS decomposes within the sludge and also how it affects the sludge at Fuglevik WWTP. The samples were taken before and after the anaerobic digestion (AD) and after the dewatering process of the digested sludge. Dewatered sludge was sent for pyrolysis at various temperatures i.e., 300oC, 500oC, and 700oC at Aquagreen ApS, Denmark. The results helped us in giving a good indication of its effectiveness compared to anaerobic digestion. At the end of it, it gave a good understanding of how sludge can be treated so that it can be useful not only for Fuglevik but also for other WWTPs in Norway.