Seoul Water Recycling Facility Corporation Launches Full-Scale Development of 'Green Hydrogen Production Technology' Using Waste Resources

Limitations in Expanding Use of Dried Sewage Sludge as Fuel and Low-Carbon Power Policies
Promoting Research on Sewage Sludge Gasification and Diverse Energy Source Utilization

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Cheol-young] The Seoul Water Reclamation Facilities Corporation announced on the 11th that it will embark on developing technology for eco-friendly energy production using sewage sludge, a waste resource discarded from water reclamation centers.

Sewage sludge is the residue generated during various stages of the sewage treatment process. At the Seonam and Tancheon Water Reclamation Centers operated by the Seoul Water Reclamation Facilities Corporation, an average of about 900 tons of sewage sludge is produced daily.

The Seoul Water Reclamation Facilities Corporation has continuously made efforts to reduce the amount of sewage sludge by improving the efficiency of digesters within the water reclamation facilities to treat sludge internally without external disposal. Additionally, it has installed sludge drying facilities to dry the sludge and utilize it as solid fuel for power generation. However, recently, due to low-carbon power generation and fine dust reduction measures, the operation of thermal power plants, which are the main consumers, has been restricted, limiting the processing of dried sludge. Therefore, it is necessary to explore the use of sewage sludge as various energy sources beyond just fuel.

Accordingly, the Seoul Water Reclamation Facilities Corporation will promote research on sewage sludge gasification for energy utilization. The main research tasks include securing eco-friendly innovative technology for sewage sludge gasification and its commercialization, as well as treatment methods for ash generated after gasification. Through this research, the corporation plans to proactively address sewage sludge treatment issues and lead the development of waste resource utilization technologies. Earlier, on the 7th, it signed a joint research agreement with Plazen, which possesses waste resource raw material gasification technology, to develop green hydrogen production technology using sewage sludge gasification, and has officially started the research.

Director Park Sang-don said, “We have high expectations for this joint research aimed at securing eco-friendly innovative technologies such as autonomous sewage sludge treatment, reduction of fine dust and harmful gas emissions during the treatment process, and hydrogen energy production.” He added, “We will actively contribute to the national carbon neutrality policy and further enhance the eco-friendly image of sewage sludge treatment for citizens, establishing the water reclamation center as a core facility for energy production.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.