Treatment of sewage sludge for fuel cells supply

Abstract

Sewage sludge represents the main fraction of municipal waste generated in Poland. Since its production increases rapidly, an effective method for its decomposition needs to be found. Due to conventional energy sources depletion, new solutions allowing for renewable energy production are recommended. One of the methods for conversion of sewage sludge into green energy is application of the fuel cells feeding with gaseous residuals of sewage sludge, obtained as a result of different thermal or biological processes. Such a system can be easily modified and adjusted to the individual needs, which makes this solution very promising. The article analyses biological and thermal processes that can be used in converting sewage sludge into a useful input for various types of fuel cells.