Direct n-hexane extraction of wet sewage sludge at thermal and pressurized conditions: A preliminary investigation on its process and product characteristics
A hydrothermal liquefaction route of wet sewage sludge with a pretreatment process is proposed reasonably. Wet sewage sludge can be extracted directly by n-hexane at thermal and pressurized conditions to produce crude sludge oils. The extraction process characteristics at thermal and pressurized conditions are illustrated preliminarily. The produced crude sludge oil has a high yield of 22.8–24.2% and a low O content of 3.5–6.0%. Both aqueous phase and residue are suitably recycled for the hydrothermal liquefaction.