Radiation technology for hygienisation of dry city sewage sludge: Technology and feasibility
Lalit Varshney1.
1Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Department of Atomic Energy, Mumbai, India
Sewage sludge(sludge)from cities poses a big challenge to municipalities for its disposal. Exposure to Gamma rays kill pathogens, reduce smell, kill weeds and degrade chemicals in the sludge. The study shows that an average10 kGy gamma radiation dose can reduce microbiological load by 4 log cycles which is considered enough for hygienisation of the sludge. The Hygienised sludge can be used as carrier for inoculation which allows enhanced growth of added plant growth promoting microorganisms(PGPB) by more than 100 times(Bio-Gold)Use of 1 tons/hectare/crop of Bio-Gold results in lower pollutant loading in the soil and increased productivity of Potato, Tomato and Wheat and saved 20% of chemical fertilizers. Based on the study, Bio-Gold specifications have been suggested. Two large scale Co-60 facilities,1.5 million curies each, 100 tons/day at Ahmedabad City (AMC,2019) and Indore City (IMC,2022) cities were established and have been in operation in India. It is for the first time where irradiation and inoculation is being used on large scale, resulting in use of lower quantities of sludge with improved productivity. The method would not only recycle a waste material but also improve organic contents of soil, a need of present day world over. Basis of the technology, technological challenges, comparison with liquid sludge irradiation, economic considerations, field trials and future recommendations have been discussed in this presentation.