Environmental impact MID MIX

A quote from CE Delft’s mLCA speaks for itself. “The MID MIX + carbonation route is environmentally superior to sludge incineration. The other routes are of lower environmental value than sludge incineration. If the entire electricity use of the MID MIX + dehydrate route is filled with self-produced renewable electricity, then this route becomes equivalent to sludge combustion.”

The CO₂ box was developed in collaboration with Carmeuse. In addition, Carmeuse facilitates the inclusion in the so-called ETS/CCU/CRC system, whereby the value of the CO₂ storage is attributed to the user of a MID MIX installation. In addition to a large environmental impact, this also has a large positive impact on the financial picture of sludge processing with MID MIX.

Below is a schematic representation of the climate impact of processing 1 tonne of sewage sludge. In this comparison, the burning of sludge has been calculated as the production of green electricity with green biomass (so the emission of CO₂ is not calculated).

  • Sludge incineration scores 67 points in environmental impact
  • MID MIX with the route of dehydrating Neutral scores 14 points in the environmental impact.
  • MID MIX with Neutral’s Carbonation route scores -/- 123 points in environmental impact.
  • The calcination route; this has been included purely as a reference. VSGM does not see this application as something that could be applied at all.
  • The thermal treatment/drying route; this has only been included for a small part and as an absolute ‘worst case scenario’. Neutral is then used as a sand substitute. This route is not likely, because many other useful applications are possible after the same process of post-processing/drying. For example, as a substitute for slaked lime in various applications (mortar, asphalt, AAC concrete, etc.). The MLCA scores of various specific alternative useful applications will be calculated later.
  • It is very realistic and logical to draw the conclusion that processing of other sludges (industrial sludges and/or dredging spoils) that are landfilled or incinerated in a waste incineration plant will have a significantly worse environmental score than processing with the MID MIX technology.
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Numbers that speak for themselves in the context of environmental impact.
Want to know more? Request CE Delft’s complete mLCA using the form below.

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