Zhengzhou Guoyan: Independently Innovated and Developed a New Process for Sludge Treatment

Implementing a green and low-carbon transformation strategy is one of the "Ten Major Strategies" identified at the province's 11th Party Congress. The primary goals of this green and low-carbon strategy include significantly improving the efficiency of energy and resource utilization, continuously reducing the total emissions of major pollutants, making positive strides toward peaking carbon emissions, and steadily refining the institutional mechanisms for green development. To achieve these objectives, we need cutting-edge environmental protection technologies as a solid foundation, along with outstanding research teams tirelessly exploring innovative solutions. By controlling and minimizing pollutant emissions at the source, we can contribute meaningfully to our province's ecological civilization initiatives. Starting today, the Henan Daily client will launch a series of reports titled "Ecological Civilization in Central China," highlighting exemplary environmental research institutions and showcasing advanced environmental protection practices across the province. Today, we present the first installment of this series:

Zhu Tianyu

“Our sludge treatment product can directly dewater sludge with a moisture content of 96%–98% down to below 60%, filling a domestic gap and reaching an internationally advanced level.” On November 22, Zhengzhou Guoyan Environmental Protection Technology Co., Ltd. Chairman Niu Mingjun spoke with pride in his voice.

In the industry, Niu Mingjun is quite a "celebrity"—he has been deeply involved in research within the field of environmental engineering. During his time at Zhengzhou University, he secured four invention patents. In March 2016, he founded Zhengzhou Guoyan Environmental Protection Technology Co., Ltd., where he leads a dedicated research team tirelessly exploring and developing innovative solutions. Together, they have pioneered the "Sludge Activation & Cell-Wall Breaking Technology + Mechanical Pressure Filtration for Deep Dewatering" process, enabling a one-stop approach to sludge reduction, stabilization, and harmless treatment. The treated sludge can then be comprehensively managed and utilized—whether through land application, incorporation into building materials, or co-firing at power plants or cement factories—tailored to local conditions. This breakthrough effectively addresses the long-standing challenges that have plagued wastewater treatment facilities when it comes to sludge disposal.

In recent years, as China's wastewater treatment capacity has rapidly improved, the volume of sludge generated has also increased significantly. Survey results reveal that 70% of the sludge produced by China's sewage treatment plants is not properly handled, leading to widespread issues of improper sludge disposal and the resulting pollution—and even recontamination—issues that are increasingly coming into sharp focus and attracting considerable public attention. Sludge is characterized by its high water content, as well as its rich composition of harmful organisms such as pathogens and microorganisms, along with elevated levels of heavy metals and organic compounds. If left untreated before discharge, this sludge can pose a serious threat of secondary environmental pollution.

Zhengzhou Guoyan Environmental Protection Technology Co., Ltd. employs "sludge activation and cell-wall disruption technology" combined with mechanical shear principles to chemically pre-treat the sludge. This process induces a chemical reaction on the surface of the sludge's colloidal particles, neutralizing their electrical charge and promoting the aggregation of these particles into larger flocs. By disrupting the sludge's colloidal structure, the technique reduces its affinity for water, thereby lowering the specific resistance and enhancing its dewatering performance. Simultaneously, this process facilitates the separation of water from the sludge particles, ultimately increasing the sludge's solid content.

Zhengzhou Guoyan Environmental Protection Technology Co., Ltd. is an enterprise that leverages the expertise of the Sludge Safety Disposal and Resource Utilization Technology Research Institute at Zhengzhou University. It specializes in the R&D of technologies for safe sludge disposal and resource recovery during wastewater treatment, as well as in equipment manufacturing, project investment, and operation management services. Located within Henan Province's National University Science Park, the company is a key incubated enterprise at the incubator of Zhengzhou University’s Industry Technology Research Institute. Over the years, it has earned numerous prestigious accolades, including being recognized as a National Science and Technology-based Small and Medium-sized Enterprise and receiving the Advanced Enterprise Award at the National Finals of the 8th China Innovation and Entrepreneurship Competition. Notably, the company’s products have already been sold to provinces such as Shandong, Shanxi, and Shaanxi, with its complete sets of equipment successfully operating at multiple wastewater treatment facilities across China—showcasing excellent performance and earning high praise from users. Looking ahead, Niu Mingjun and his team plan to utilize the organic fertilizer produced after sludge treatment, developing complementary small-scale seeders tailored for agricultural planting, thereby contributing even more significantly to our province’s ecological civilization initiatives.