[Terrapreta] sewage sludge charcoal

[Mark Ludlow]

Toxic waste incinerators are "oxidizing" reactors. The by-products of a
high-temperature, reducing atmosphere are probably less predictable. If the
pyrolysis gasses resulting from char production were themselves oxidized at
high temperatures, the chance of producing reactive components is decreased.

 

Mark

 

From: terrapreta-bounces at bioenergylists.org
[mailto:terrapreta-bounces at bioenergylists.org] On Behalf Of Jim Joyner
Sent: Wednesday, April 09, 2008 5:50 PM
To: 'Terra Preta'
Subject: Re: [Terrapreta] sewage sludge charcoal

 

MFH wrote: 

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. 

Max,

There may be more than just this. For example in San Jose, one year, a whole
heard of cows seemingly went sterile at Stanford. Turns out, since there
were lots of women on the pill in the college down, there was enough
progesterone in the waste water supply, that was being used for irrigation
on grazing fields. The cows were effectively on the pill (the example is not
perfect since this is the waste water). All manner of pharmaceuticals end up
in human waste. Some comes out in the processing, some doesn't. One would
think pyrolysis would take care of much of it, though. 

There is a growing concern that pharmaceuticals are showing up more and more
in the water systems. Some of this could be due to run off from sludge.

Jim

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