Sludge treatment and disposal project begins operations in Guangdong

The first production line of what is billed as the world's largest sludge treatment and disposal project has begun operations in Dongguan, Guangdong province.

The project, constructed by China Construction Fifth Engineering Bureau, is China's first sludge incineration power generation project and the first in the sector to achieve zero wastewater discharge, according to the company. It also serves as an environmental demonstration project marking the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and France.

Located in Lisha Island Industrial Park in Shatian township and covering about 8.86 hectares, the project's first phase is designed to process 2,000 metric tons of sludge a day, based on a moisture content of 60 percent.

The facility integrates sludge incineration, ultra-low-emission technology, energy recovery and resource recycling. It uses high-temperature incineration to achieve thorough sludge disposal while converting residual heat into electricity, according to the company.

The project also features a 2.8-megawatt rooftop photovoltaic system, further improving energy efficiency and reducing carbon emissions, according to the company.