Major research grant aims to turn sewage into sustainable energy and fertiliser in collaborative European project

Kingston University has been awarded a prestigious European Union (EU) grant as part of a groundbreaking international initiative to revolutionise how cities handle wastewater.

The project, entitled CeSuds (Circular Economy approaches to Digested Sludge Utilisation), aims to transform wastewater treatment plants from energy-consuming facilities into sustainable resource hubs that produce renewable energy and high-quality fertilisers.

Addressing the key environmental and regulatory challenges in EU wastewater treatment, pharmacy expert Dr Heba Ghazal will lead Kingston University’s element of the study – funded by the EU’s Horizon Europe programme.

Dr Ghazal will investigate the mechanisms underlying the degradation of micropollutant impurities, particularly pharmaceuticals, during hydrothermal carbonisation (HTC), and develop analytical methods to monitor and evaluate these processes. Her work will also evaluate the need for wet oxidation to treat HTC process liquids, optimise operating conditions and map degradation pathways.

The project, led by the University of Limerick, is focusing on Europe’s wastewater treatment plants which are facing rising operational costs and increasingly strict environmental regulations – partly due to urban population growth.

Traditionally, the sludge left over after cleaning water was spread on agricultural land or incinerated – options that are becoming less viable due to concerns over microplastics, per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (often referred to as forever chemicals) and greenhouse gas emissions.

To address this the project team, including Dr Ghazal, will look at HTC which uses heat and pressure to convert sewage sludge into:

• Hydrochar: A carbon-rich solid that can be used as a renewable fuel or soil amendment.
• Process Liquid: Which can be treated to produce even more biogas for energy.
• Recovered Nutrients: Essential minerals like phosphorus and nitrogen that are critical for European food security.

The project also leverages advanced machine learning to allow operators to predict the quality of their energy and fertiliser output in real-time.

The consortium predicts that widespread adoption of these technologies could lead to:

• Energy Neutrality: Helping plants meet the EU's 2045 target to cover their own energy needs with renewable sources.
• Reduced Emissions: Significant cuts in methane and carbon dioxide compared to traditional disposal methods.
• Circular Economy: Creating new revenue streams for utilities through the sale of bio-based fertilisers and energy.

Beginning in September the four-year project will, as part of the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions Doctoral Network, fund and train 14 doctoral candidates across the 13 primary partners and 13 associated partners, including Kingston University, alongside institutions and organisations from Ireland, Italy, Poland, Austria and Denmark.

These PhD researchers will gain hands-on experience at full-scale industrial sites, such as the HBI s.r.l plant in Italy and municipal facilities in Poland and Belgium.

Dr Ghazal said it was prestigious for Kingston University to be involved in such an ambitious integrated project. “Working with partners across Europe to bridge the gap between academic research and industrial application will ensure the next generation of wastewater treatment is socially responsible and technologically advanced. This consortium is vital to address the key challenges facing our water infrastructure.”

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