Recent Advance in the Application of Municipal Sludge Treatment

Authors

  • Ya Zhou College of Civil Engineering, Hunan University of Science and Technology, Xiangtan 411201, Hunan, China Author
  • Shengjiao Xu College of Civil Engineering, Hunan University of Science and Technology, Xiangtan 411201, Hunan, China Author
  • Zhengchuan Wu College of Civil Engineering, Hunan University of Science and Technology, Xiangtan 411201, Hunan, China Author
  • Yunlong Han College of Civil Engineering, Hunan University of Science and Technology, Xiangtan 411201, Hunan, China Author
  • Yi Zhou College of Civil Engineering, Hunan University of Science and Technology, Xiangtan 411201, Hunan, China Author

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.47363/JWMRT/2026(4)167

Keywords:

Municipal Sludge, Sludge Dewatering, Bound Water, EPS, Flocculation

Abstract

The rapid expansion of wastewater treatment capacity has led to a corresponding sharp increase in sludge production. The safe disposal of municipal sludge has thus become a critical constraint on the further development of the wastewater treatment industry. This sludge is primarily generated by municipal wastewater treatment plants and consists of microbial biomass, organic debris, and inorganic particulates. Water within sludge exists in four forms: free water, interstitial water, surface water, and bound water. The dewatering process typically involves conditioning, thickening, and mechanical dewatering. During this process, extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) are the primary factor that impedes efficient dewatering. Currently, municipal sludge treatment faces three main challenges: high moisture content, high carbon emissions, and difficulty in resource recovery. Therefore, advancing research on sludge dewatering is essential for the overall progress of the wastewater treatment sector. This paper reviews recent research in the field of municipal sludge disposal. It begins by examining the physicochemical properties of sludge and then introduces the principles behind conventional treatment methods. The
analysis explains the underlying reasons for the difficulty in reducing moisture content. The findings are intended to serve as a reference for technology selection and policy formulation in this field.

Author Biographies

  • Ya Zhou, College of Civil Engineering, Hunan University of Science and Technology, Xiangtan 411201, Hunan, China

    Ya Zhou, College of Civil Engineering, Hunan University of Science and Technology, Xiangtan 411201, Hunan, China

  • Shengjiao Xu, College of Civil Engineering, Hunan University of Science and Technology, Xiangtan 411201, Hunan, China

    Shengjiao Xu, College of Civil Engineering, Hunan University of Science and Technology, Xiangtan 411201, Hunan, China

  • Zhengchuan Wu, College of Civil Engineering, Hunan University of Science and Technology, Xiangtan 411201, Hunan, China

    Zhengchuan Wu, College of Civil Engineering, Hunan University of Science and Technology, Xiangtan 411201, Hunan, China

  • Yunlong Han, College of Civil Engineering, Hunan University of Science and Technology, Xiangtan 411201, Hunan, China

    Yunlong Han, College of Civil Engineering, Hunan University of Science and Technology, Xiangtan 411201, Hunan, China

  • Yi Zhou, College of Civil Engineering, Hunan University of Science and Technology, Xiangtan 411201, Hunan, China

    Yi Zhou, College of Civil Engineering, Hunan University of Science and Technology, Xiangtan 411201, Hunan, China

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Published

2026-04-17

Issue

Vol. 4 No. 2 (2026): Voulume 4 Issue 2

Section

Articles