Emissions from sewage sludge combustion in Germany - Status and future trends

19% of the sewage sludge produced in Germany is presently incinerated. The emissions from sludge combustion in Germany are regulated by the 17th Regul ation of the Federal Immission protection Law. These emission limits can on ly be met, however, with a large technical effort. To fulfill the mercury e mission limit of 0.05 mg/m(3) (dry, standard conditions) in particular, spe cial measures are necessary. This paper presents an overview on the various measures for emission control which are used at German sludge incineration plants. Furthermore, future trends of thermochemical sludge treatment in G ermany, including co-combustion in power stations and gasification processe s, are discussed.