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.
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.