[Terrapreta] sewage sludge charcoal

[MFH]

So the reality seems to be that human waste normally has low levels of heavy
metals and other nasties, and the sewage toxicity problem is caused by
irresponsible householders and factories dumping anything and everything
down the spout. Similar mentality to dumping into the creek or the sea – “I
can’t see it any more so therefore it’s not a problem”. 

 

Sewage sludge should have a value as feedstock for composting worms and/or
charcoal, but if that means new, expensive and energy consuming technologies
for the prior removal of heavy metals and other problems, then we’re looking
at the wrong end of the tunnel. The solution is at the source, not at the
treatment end.  

 

Max H

 

 

  _____  

From: Gerald Van Koeverden [mailto:vnkvrdn at yahoo.ca] 
Sent: Wednesday, 9 April 2008 11:01 PM
To: MFH
Cc: 'Folke Günther'; 'Michael Antal'; 'Terra Preta'
Subject: Re: [Terrapreta] sewage sludge charcoal

 

What's the problem with sewage sludge?  Folke has a very good point!

 

"Problems associated with the agricultural use of sewage sludge include
groundwater, soil, and crop contamination with pathogens, heavy metals,
nitrate, and toxic and carcinogenic organic compounds.
<http://weblife.org/humanure/references.html#5_34> 34 Sewage sludge is a lot
more than organic human refuse. It can contain DDT, PCBs, mercury, and other
heavy metals. <http://weblife.org/humanure/references.html#5_35> 35 One
scientist alleges that more than 20 million gallons of used motor oil are
dumped into sewers every year in the United States.
<http://weblife.org/humanure/references.html#5_36> 36

America's largest industrial facilities released over 550 million pounds of
toxic pollutants into US sewers in 1989 alone, according to the US Public
Interest Research Group. Between 1990 and 1994, an additional 450 million
pounds of toxic chemicals were dumped into sewage treatment systems,
although the actual levels of toxic discharges are said to be much higher
than these. <http://weblife.org/humanure/references.html#5_37> 37

Of the top ten states responsible for toxic discharges to public sewers in
1991, Michigan took first prize with nearly 80 million pounds, followed in
order by New Jersey, Illinois, California, Texas, Virginia, Ohio, Tennessee,
Wisconsin and Pennsylvania (around 20 million pounds from PA).38
<http://weblife.org/humanure/references.html#5_38> "

For the complerte chapter, go to:

http://weblife.org/humanure/chapter5_10.html

Gerrit

 

On 9-Apr-08, at 5:11 AM, MFH wrote:





Folke

 

Hang on. The Chinese in particular have been using human waste in
agriculture for thousands of years. What’s different to their poo?

 

M

 

 

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From: terrapreta-bounces at bioenergylists.org
[mailto:terrapreta-bounces at bioenergylists.org] On Behalf Of Folke Günther
Sent: Wednesday, 9 April 2008 6:45 PM
To: 'Michael Antal'; 'Terra Preta'
Subject: Re: [Terrapreta] sewage sludge charcoal

 

Raw sewage sludge should never, under any circumstances, be used in a
process involving soil that will be used for food production, because of the
high content of heavy metals. 

I agree that the charring might destroy (or spread out?) some of the
otherwise organic noxious stuff, as medicals and the like.

Thus, if you make char of it, you have to put it in abandoned mines or the
like, which implicates a loss of phosphorus.

 

Much better is to use source-separating toilets, add the urine to char,
possibly char the faeces, and then put it in the soil. 

It is the “purification” process that destroys this otherwise excellent
nutrient stuff.

 

----------------------------------------------------------------------------
---  

Folke Günther

Kollegievägen 19

224 73 Lund, Sweden

home/office: +46 46 14 14 29

cell:               0709 710306  skype:  folkegun

Homepage:     http://www.holon.se/folke  
blog: http://folkegunther.blogspot.com/

 

  _____  

Från: terrapreta-bounces at bioenergylists.org
[mailto:terrapreta-bounces at bioenergylists.org] För Michael Antal
Skickat: den 9 april 2008 00:45
Till: 'Terra Preta'
Ämne: [Terrapreta] sewage sludge charcoal

 

I am pleased and somewhat surprised to report that raw sewage sludge is a
good feedstock for charcoal production.  Details are available on the HNEI
website below.  Regards, Michael.

 

Michael J. Antal, Jr.

Coral Industries Distinguished Professor of Renewable Energy Resources

Hawaii Natural Energy Institute

POST 109, 1680 East-West Rd.

Honolulu, HI 96822

 

phone: 808/956-7267

fax: 808/956-2336

www.hnei.hawaii.edu

 

 

  _____  

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