USING RISC ANALYSIS IN SELECTING LCA SCENARIOS FOR EVALUATING

THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT OF THE SEWAGE SLUDGE

ABSTRACT
This paper presents a method of using risk analysis in order to establish the most
suitable scenarios used in the Life Cycle Assessment of the sewage sludge, based on the
European trends and legal framework, but also tailored for the Romanian wastewater sector,
based on the National Strategy for Sludge Management. Combined, the two methods: risk
analysis and LCA, have as a result the selection of the most promising cradle-to-grave
scenarios for sewage sludge. Scenarios that meet the principles of the green economy,
improved human well-being - while significantly reducing environmental risks and ecological
scarcities.
The paper uses a a preliminary stage analysis of decision-making, based on risk
methodologies using HAZOP (Hazards and Operability Analysis) and FMEA (Failure Modes
and Effects Analysis) tools. After choosing the lowest risk level solution, the analysis will
follow the Life Cycle Assessment for the chosen option, using OpenLCA software for
modelling the system.
LCA is a systematic set of procedures for compiling and examining the inputs and
outputs of materials and energy and the associated environmental impacts directly attributable
to the functioning of a product or service system throughout its life cycle. Each step of a
products life cycle consumes energy, depletes non-renewable resources and produces air, soil
and water emissions at different scales (local, regional or global scale). Therefore, it is a
constant need for evaluating and quantifying this factors, in order to have a correct overview
of the current situation and the necessary improvements.
The risk analysis methodology uses a generic approach, with an initial macroscopic
stage where hazard sources are identified, scenarios for undesired events are recognized and
ranked using a grid of Severity Probability and safety barriers suggested. A microscopic stage
then analyses in detail the major risks identified during the first stage. This part of analysis
uses FMEA tool.
The hazards associated with sewage sludge are various and well-reviewed. First there
are risks related to the treatment processes (thickening, dewatering, side stream treatment,
digestion, drying etc). Secondly, risks could be attributed to the exploitation or maintenance
phases of the final product (composting, incineration, disposal or use as a fertiliser).

Applying FMEA follows a series of successive steps: analysis of the process, product
and system in every single part, list of identified potential failures, evaluation of their
frequency, severity (in terms of effects of the failure and to surroundings) and detection
technique, global evaluation of the problem and identification of the corrective actions and
control plans that could eliminate or reduce the chance of the potential failures.
After the risks for each processes have been identified, the LCA scenarios are
developed based on the outputs of the Risk Analysis.
The LCA method follows four main steps. The first one sets the goal and scoping. At
this level,we have to identify the exact purpose for the LCA analysis, the expected products
of the study and the determination of the boundaries and assumptions based upon the goal
definition. After we have identified the purpose of the analysis, next step is to quantify the
energy and raw material inputs and also, the environment releases from each stage of the
cycle. The third stage is the impact analysis assessing the impact on the human health and
the environment, referring to the energy, raw material inputs and the releases quantified by
the inventory. The final stage of the LCA evaluates the opportunities to reduce the energy
consumption, material inputs or environmental impact, at each stage of the products life
cycle. This step representsthe so-called improvement analysis.

Sludge management is an area that rises great issues regarding the environmental
impact. The present study reveals two disposal routes, from a cradle-to-grave perspective,
taking into account the social, economic, technical and environmental characteristics of the
Romanian wastewater sector. The considered options for beneficial use and disposal of sludge
including are: application to agricultural lands, reclamation of degraded lands, forest
plantations, energy recovery from sludge treatment, energy recovery from treated sludge,
mono-incineration in a dedicated incinerator or co-incineration with solid waste, disposal to
sanitary landfills, composting.
The current global environmental challenges drive societies to implement new
sustainable ways of using resources and manage waste.
The selection of the most appropriate sludge treatment technology is a key factor in
the application of integrated sewage sludge management system. Together with economic and
social considerations, this approach would help sludge managers design more sustainable
management systems. Decision makers should combine in an optimum way the alternatives
for sewage sludge handling, considering all available information on technical, economic and
environmental issues.