Utilizing of wastewater and biomass generated in jordanian sewage treatment plants

Abstract

This paper aims to produce and transfer data to a decision-maker so as to help within the creation of correct property sewer water biosolids management and utilization in Jordan. Jordan has around 31 wastewater treatment plants with annual total capacity of 350 Mm3. The deficiency of water demand in the country could be reduced by treating this quantity of wastewater. Treatment will produce a total amount of sludge waste around 20000 tons annually. Wastewater sludge could be utilized in different usages such as; biogas production (methane gas), organic fertilizers, additives in material construction and other applications. Considering these amounts of reclaimed water and biomass produced, they require an extremely high budget to operate different equipment to treat wastewater, utilize the sludge and finally to dispose of residual in landfills. This study will provide and help to adopt best practice technologies (BPT) and related techniques to generate energy from sludge in different wastewater treatment plants efficiently and economically while taking environmental impacts into consideration. It is concluded that the high percentage of the energy can be produced and reused, while the transportation cost and the disposal cost of the unwanted sludge will be reduced. A total amount of reclaimed water of 240-260 Mm3 may be achieved by 2025, while daily electricity of 57128804 kWh will be generated from wastewater sludge. Wastewater utilization and management will reduce the environmental pollutions as well as providing economic value for the waste material as well. The results of suggested techniques and methodology for utilizing wastewater and sludge in this study will save about 10,683,086 JOD/Year (15 million $/Year).