Metallurgical Residue for Solubilization of Metals from Sewage Sludge

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Abstract
Biological solubilization of metals of anaerobic sludge samples was performed in Erlenmeyer flask experiments, comparing two sources of the FeSO4·7H2O substrate. There was no difference in the growth of Thiobacillus ferrooxidans using either laboratory grade FeSO4·7H2O or a metallurgical industry by-product. The relatively low levels of metals in the metallurgical residue do not interfere with the decontamination process, for sludge originating from a municipal wastewater-treatment facility. In addition, use of this source offers substantial economic benefits. Commercial substrate averages $13,000 U.S./t, compared to $43 U.S./t for the industrial product; more than a 300-fold difference. Using this source of substrate, biological solubilization would cost approxiately $10 U.S./t dry sludge, or 11 cents/m3 of treated water for a plant treating 388,000 m3/day. This is significantly less than the cost of incineration ($300 U.S./dry t). Biological solubilization is therefore a promising alternative to traditional methods of sludge treatment.

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