Effect of temperature on pyrolysis of sewage sludge: biochar properties and environmental risks from heavy metals

Abstract

Biochars were prepared via the pyrolysis of sewage sludge at temperatures ranging from 350–550 °C. The properties and behaviors of heavy metals in the biochars were investigated. The results indicated that the pH values and ash contents of the biochars increased, while biochar yield and C, H, and N contents decreased with the increasing temperature. A high pyrolysis temperature contributed to a developed biochar pore structure. The specific surface area and pore volume of the biochars increased, while the average pore width decreased, with the increasing temperature. Heavy metals in the biochars were further enriched with the increasing temperature. TCLP tests demonstrated that the leaching potential of heavy metals from the biochars significantly decreased with the increasing temperature, indicating the decrease of potential ecological risks of heavy metals to the environment. Additionally, BCR tests confirmed the transformation of heavy metals from mobile fractions (F1 and F2) to stable fractions (F3 and F4). The evaluation results showed that a high pyrolysis temperature can effectively inhibit the ecological risks of heavy metals in the biochars. Thus, the conversion of sewage sludge into biochar via pyrolysis is a promising method for the safe disposal of sewage sludge.