On October 16, 2025, an All-Russian industrial and environmental meeting was held in Moscow, dedicated to the formation of a comprehensive system for processing sewage sludge from wastewater treatment facilities.
With a keynote address on the topic:
«An integrated approach to selecting a technology for the utilization of sewage sludge from wastewater treatment facilities. Environmental and economic aspects» was delivered by Marina Vasilievna Oleinik, Deputy General Director for Development and Environmental Safety of Eco-Spectrum LLC.
In her speech, Marina Vasilievna outlined the scale of the problem:
Over 2 million tons of sewage sludge have accumulated in Russia, and around the world about 3.5 billion tons are generated annually. These wastes pose a significant environmental threat, polluting soils, water resources, and the atmosphere. This problem is particularly relevant for water utility enterprises, for which the issues of neutralization and utilization of sewage sludge are among the most costly and technologically complex. The lack of effective solutions leads to growing areas of sludge impoundments, increased environmental risks, and significant financial burdens.
Technology proven on challenging wastes
As a high-tech and effective solution for water utilities, a domestic development was presented — a technology for energy recovery using rotary-type incinerator units HURIKAN. At the same time, M.V. Oleinik emphasized that this technology is successfully adapted for other types of challenging waste as well, which is confirmed by experience working with oil-producing companies such as Rosneft.
Also, for the disposal of oil sludge and liquid drilling wastes, Eco-Spectrum offers an innovative solution based on cyclone incinerators. This solution is a full analogue of imported units and complies with the import substitution strategy.
Key components of Eco-Spectrum’s process line:
- Rotary combustion chamber: The rotating chamber with a combined refractory lining ensures high destruction efficiency and durability. Continuous rotation of the chamber stirs the loaded waste, increasing flame access to the material and minimizing mechanical unburned residues.
- Waste preparation block: The process chain may include vibrating screens, screw dewatering units, or modern decanter centrifuges for optimal dewatering before feeding the waste into the incinerator, which significantly improves the overall economic efficiency.
- Afterburner chamber: Provides final treatment of flue gases, ensuring minimal incomplete combustion. The design with a water jacket and thermal insulation maintains a consistently high process temperature.
- Gas cleaning system (GCS): The company offers flexible solutions — from dry systems specifically designed for the harsh conditions of the Far North to comprehensive flocculation and coagulation units in transportable, factory-ready containers.
- Environmental safety: The technology complies with international standards (ISO 14001, ISO 9001, CE certificate) and is included in the Best Available Techniques (BAT) reference of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment of Russia. The equipment has a positive opinion from the State Environmental Expert Review.
- Economic efficiency: Using heat recovery for pre-drying wastes makes it possible to reduce the cost of sewage sludge disposal to 2 rubles per kilogram. For oil-producing companies, the technology allows abandoning costly pit storage and reducing logistics costs.
- Energy efficiency and profitability: The technology not only disposes of waste but also generates thermal and electrical energy, as well as yields secondary products — inert ash for the construction industry and carbon dioxide for industrial needs.
- Flexibility and reliability: The equipment adapts to various types of waste (from sewage sludge to drilling sludges) and climatic conditions, including Arctic regions.
Advantages proven in practice
Special attention in the report was paid to the unique design features of Eco-Spectrum’s equipment, such as the patented chamber linings, containerized automation systems, and the ability to configure solutions for the customer’s specific needs.
«The implementation of such technologies is not just a solution to the waste problem; it is the formation of a new, transparent, and technologically independent waste management industry in Russia, which fully aligns with the strategic goals of state policy up to 2030,» emphasized Oleinik M.V. in her speech.
The presentation drew keen interest from the meeting participants, confirming the demand for comprehensive and economically sound solutions in the fields of ecology and housing and utilities.
