832R12011 (Emerging Technologies for Wastewater Treatment - 2nd Ed.)
Emerging Wastewater Treatment Technology and the Future of ...
Transcript of Emerging Wastewater Treatment Technology and the Future of ...
Emerging Wastewater
Treatment Technology
and the Future of
Biosolids Reduction
and Disposal
November 5, 2021
Presentation
Joint Virtual Workshop South Florida and
Treasure Coast Regional Planning Councils,
"One Region, One Water”
Joint Virtual Workshop South Florida and
Treasure Coast Regional Planning Councils,
"One Region, One Water”
2
Presentation Outline
Overview on Biosolids
Current Regulatory Drivers
Advanced Thermal Processes
Other Biosolids Trends
Joint Virtual Workshop South Florida and Treasure Coast Regional Planning Councils, "One Region, One Water”
Overview on Biosolids
4Joint Virtual Workshop South Florida and Treasure Coast Regional Planning Councils, "One Region, One Water”
Evolution of biosolids regulations
Ocean
No regulations
Landfill
Land ApplicationClass B & Class A
Disposal Beneficial Use & Disposal
1993, Part 503 RegulationsPollutants, Pathogens, VAR
Landfill Disposal
IncinerationIncineration
(recently allowed in AZ & NV)
November 2018OIG Report and EPA Response
2023?
5Joint Virtual Workshop South Florida and Treasure Coast Regional Planning Councils, "One Region, One Water”
Typical conventional solids process
6Joint Virtual Workshop South Florida and Treasure Coast Regional Planning Councils, "One Region, One Water”
Biosolids management in Florida
• 350,000 dry tons/year
• Class AA – 45%
• Class B land application – 30%
• Unclassified to landfill – 25%
Class AA
Class B land application
Unclassified to landfill
45%30%
25%
7Joint Virtual Workshop South Florida and Treasure Coast Regional Planning Councils, "One Region, One Water”
Class B land application; approx. 130 sites; primarily pasture/hay crops
Class AA distribution & marketing; approx. 39 production facilities
Biosolids management in Florida(images from FDEP GIS maps)
8Joint Virtual Workshop South Florida and Treasure Coast Regional Planning Councils, "One Region, One Water”
Hierarchy of biosolids products
Agriculture
Energy
Specialty Markets
Land Reclamation
Landfill
End Use & Disposal Markets
Dewatered Unstabilized
Biochar/Ash
Class A Dried
Class A Compost
Class B Cake
Biosolids Products
Class A Cake
541 3
Technologies
541 2
51 4
51 4
51 4
5
1
2
3
4
5
Joint Virtual Workshop South Florida and Treasure Coast Regional Planning Councils, "One Region, One Water”
Current Regulatory Drivers
10Joint Virtual Workshop South Florida and Treasure Coast Regional Planning Councils, "One Region, One Water”
• Tail wags the dog, outlets dictate processing• Pressure on landfill disposal
• Pressure on Class B and Class A beneficial use
• Pressure on land application programs• OIG Report – regulations could change by 2023
• PFAS Cloud
• Considering emerging technologies is not in the future anymore• Drying/pyrolysis at Schenectady, NY
• Biodrying/pyrolysis at Silicon Valley, CA
• Drying/gasification at Morrisville, PA and Linden Rosell, NJ
• Hydrothermal liquefaction demonstration at Metro Vancouver and Central San, CA
Making a decision on biosolids management is complicated today more than ever
11Joint Virtual Workshop South Florida and Treasure Coast Regional Planning Councils, "One Region, One Water”
• Only dewatering required
• Pressure from states• CA (organic diversion), NJ, New
England geography, etc.
• Pressure from landfill operating companies• Odor
• Workability
• Slope stability
• Higher cost
• Amount
• Some method of stabilization is recommended
• Higher dewatered cake is recommended
• Investigate other outlets, land application (Class A or B), etc.
Landfilling Outlook
12Joint Virtual Workshop South Florida and Treasure Coast Regional Planning Councils, "One Region, One Water”
• Little to no land application of Class B biosolids in certain geographies such as New England, NJ, CA
• Unusual wet weather in the Northeast and mid Atlantic geography has limited land application
• Nutrient pollution from runoff after land application in the case of FL
• High cost of land application in the Northeast region
• Public perception and skepticism regarding the safety of Class B land application practice
• Long term sustainability is questionable
• Investigate Class A or other product
Pressures on Class B land application across the U.S.
13Joint Virtual Workshop South Florida and Treasure Coast Regional Planning Councils, "One Region, One Water”
FDEP has tightened rules for biosolids land application.
13
New rules address migration of nutrients from land applied biosolids to surface waters.
14Joint Virtual Workshop South Florida and Treasure Coast Regional Planning Councils, "One Region, One Water”
• FDEP Biosolids TAC evaluated biosolids management opportunities to better protect Florida’s water resources
• Members from agriculture, utilities, haulers, consultants, academia
• 4 public meetings between September 2018 and January 2019
• Recommended Biosolids Rule revisions to minimize nutrient migration to waters of the state
• Encouraged piloting innovative biosolids processing technologies
Nutrient migration to surface waters
15Joint Virtual Workshop South Florida and Treasure Coast Regional Planning Councils, "One Region, One Water”
• Address biosolids provisions of combined SB/HB 712
• Applies to land application of Class A or Class B biosolids
• N/A to Class AA marketed & distributed biosolids or compost products certified by US Compost Council
• Additional Nutrient Management Plan requirements
• Site-specific soil testing and groundwater monitoring
• Minimum unsaturated soil depth of 2’ between biosolids placement and water table level at time of application (through survey maps or monitoring well / piezometer)
• Existing land application sites must comply by June 2023
Recent FDEP 62-640 Rule Revisions
16Joint Virtual Workshop South Florida and Treasure Coast Regional Planning Councils, "One Region, One Water”
• Reduced application rates may require more land
• Limited land available in south and central Florida based on sensitive water bodies and local ordinances
• New sites may extend to North Florida and Georgia
• Increased hauling and land application costs
• Potential driver to more Class AA production facilities for marketing and distribution
Potential Impacts of 62-640 Rule Changes (from SERC)
17Joint Virtual Workshop South Florida and Treasure Coast Regional Planning Councils, "One Region, One Water”
Class AA marketed and distributed solutions
• Certified compost and thermally dried products
• Blended into the larger fertilizer industry
• Addresses FL nutrient regulatory compliance for now
• Thermal dried product has advantages over compost:• Reduce mass significantly • Benefit from biogas from anaerobic
digestion• Sets the stage for practicing advanced
thermal processes to produce biochar/ash
Thermal Drying
>90%
Ga
sific
atio
n/
Pyro
lys
isC
em
en
t
Kiln
La
nd
Ap
plic
atio
n
Ba
gg
ed
Ma
teria
l
18Joint Virtual Workshop South Florida and Treasure Coast Regional Planning Councils, "One Region, One Water”
• The EPA’s controls over the land application of sewage sludge (biosolids) were incomplete or had weaknesses and may not fully protect human health and the environment
• The biosolids program is at risk of not achieving its goal to protect public health and the environment
OIG Report, November 15, 2018
19Joint Virtual Workshop South Florida and Treasure Coast Regional Planning Councils, "One Region, One Water”
• Incomplete risk assessment included 352 identified pollutants found in biosolids
• Un-regulated pollutants include:• Pharmaceuticals (e.g., ciprofloxacin, diphenhydramine and triclocarban);
• Steroids and hormones (e.g., campesterol, cholestanol and coprostanol);
• Flame retardants. Perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) and perfluorooctanoate (PFOA)
• Of the 352 biosolids pollutants:• 32 are hazardous wastes under RCRA (four of which are acutely hazardous)
• 35 are EPA priority pollutants.
• 16 are NIOSH hazardous drugs.
Un-regulated, concerning pollutants
20Joint Virtual Workshop South Florida and Treasure Coast Regional Planning Councils, "One Region, One Water”
3 Complete development of the probabilistic risk assessment tool and screening tool for biosolids land application scenarios
12/31/21
4 Develop and implement a plan to obtain the additional data needed to complete risk assessments and finalize safety determinations on the 352 identified pollutants in biosolids and promulgate regulations as needed
12/31/22
Future of land application programs beyond 2022 is uncertain
Long term viability of land application could be in question!
13 Recommendations in the reportImportant recommendations/resolved
21Joint Virtual Workshop South Florida and Treasure Coast Regional Planning Councils, "One Region, One Water”
What are PFAS chemicals and how did we get here?
21
Joint Virtual Workshop South Florida and Treasure Coast Regional Planning Councils, "One Region, One Water”
Reasons for Concern: PFAS and Land Application
• PFAS are concentrated in residuals
• Common stabilization technologies, digestion, thermal hydrolysis pretreatment, composting, drying do NOT remove PFAS
• PFAS absorb to the solids more under anaerobic conditions: anaerobic digestion is the most common stabilization method
• Highest concentrations found in residuals with direct industrial input
• Detected in groundwater near land application of biosolids
• Found in residuals and soils (not impacted by industrial input) after land application
50% of the generated biosolids are land applied
Specialty Markets
Land Reclamation
Landfill
Agriculture
23Joint Virtual Workshop South Florida and Treasure Coast Regional Planning Councils, "One Region, One Water”
• Terminal PFAAs are extremely stable compounds
• Strong C-F bond, and carbon shielding
• Thermal destruction require temperatures > 1,000◦C (~1,850◦F)• Sewage sludge incinerators (SSI) range between 1,450◦F to 1,600◦F
• Chemical hydrolysis, oxidation and reduction is challenging due to the fluorine effect!
Perfluorooctanoic Acid (PFOA)
PFAS Chemicals – Difficult to Treat!
State of Regulations as Related to BiosolidsNo federal regulations – expected some form of action in 2023
Maine 1st to regulate biosolids (PFOA 2.5, PFOS 5.2 ppb)
Massachusetts MassDEP now requiring ALL biosolids LA permits to test Q for PFAS
New Hampshire SSI – doing mass balance research
California WRRFs >1 MGD are required to conduct PFAS testing of influent, effluent
and biosolids
Wisconsin WRRFs resisted state pressure to test biosolids awaiting approved method
Michigan Suggested Interim Strategy
Next?
Joint Virtual Workshop South Florida and Treasure Coast Regional Planning Councils, "One Region, One Water”
Advanced Thermal Processes
25
26Joint Virtual Workshop South Florida and Treasure Coast Regional Planning Councils, "One Region, One Water” 26
Advanced thermal treatment processes can address potential PFAS regulations.
27Joint Virtual Workshop South Florida and Treasure Coast Regional Planning Councils, "One Region, One Water”
What Are They and Why Consider Them?
Product Diversification
Land Application Alternatives
Footprint
Energy Recovery and Production
Emerging Contaminants
Sustainability
Integrate with Existing Processes
27
• Drying/ Gasification
• Drying/ Pyrolysis
• Super Critical Water Oxidation
• Hydrothermal Liquifaction
28Joint Virtual Workshop South Florida and Treasure Coast Regional Planning Councils, "One Region, One Water”
Pyrolysis/Gasification
28
Parameter Gasification Pyrolysis
Temperature (°F) 1,100-1,800 390-1,100
O2 Supplied< Stoichiometric
(Limited Air)None
By-ProductsSyngas (CO, H2) and
biochar
Pyrogas, Oils, Tars
and Char
29Joint Virtual Workshop South Florida and Treasure Coast Regional Planning Councils, "One Region, One Water”
Pyrolysis/Gasification Facilities in the US
29
Facility and location Vendor Drying/Thermal process Size (wet
tons/day)
Status
Silicon Valley Clean Water, CA Bioforcetech (1) Biodry/Pyrolysis 20 Operating since 2017
Morrisville, PA Ecoremedy, LLC (2) Thermal drying/ Gasification 70 Commissioning
4Q 2020
Schenectady, NY Biowaste Pyrolysis
Solutions*
Dual thermal
drying/Pyrolysis
100 Commissioning
2Q 2021
Rialto, CA Anaergia* Thermal drying / Pyrolysis 300 Commissioning
4Q 2021
Middlesex County, UA ---- ---- 400 P3 (RFQ/RFP)
Linden Roselle Sewage Authority, NJ Aries Clean Energy (3)
*
Thermal drying/ Gasification 430 Commissioning
2Q 2021
* Vendors prefer delivery as DBOOF or PPP1. Another facility in Ephrata, PA is under design2. Building another facility is Washington State, delivered a facility in Australia3. Looking to build another facility in NJ
30Joint Virtual Workshop South Florida and Treasure Coast Regional Planning Councils, "One Region, One Water”
Biodry/pyrolysis (Bioforcetech Corp)
Silicon Valley Clean Water, CA: 20 wtpd(since 2017)Courtesy: Bioforcetech Corporation
Dry biosolids PFOA = 89.1 ng/gPFOS = 26.3 ng/g
BiocharNon Detect
ND
31Joint Virtual Workshop South Florida and Treasure Coast Regional Planning Councils, "One Region, One Water”
Thermal drying/gasification (Ecoremedy, LLC)
Morrisville, PA. 70 wtpd, 30 from Morrisville. In commissioning, 4Q 2019. Courtesy: Ecoremedy, LLC
No testing on PFAS, but similar results expected as Bioforcetech TBD
Dewatering Cake Silo ~20%
Cake Mixer + Dry Recycle
Fluid LiftGasifier
SyngasThermal Oxidizer
Biochar
Single Pass Drum Dryer
Class A Dried Material
32Joint Virtual Workshop South Florida and Treasure Coast Regional Planning Councils, "One Region, One Water”
• Linden Roselle Sewerage Authority, NJ
• 430 wtpd : largest gasification facility globally
• Groundbreaking Oct 17, 2019
• Expected to start ~ end 2021-2022Courtesy: Aries Clean Energy
Thermal drying/gasification (Aries Clean Energy)
WRF TCR – Understanding Pyrolysis for PFAS Removal Applied Research Project at the Schenectady, NY 25 dtpd drying/pyrolysis facility
33
• Portland (ME) Water District (sponsor agency)
• Hazen (Lead PI)
• MWRA
• Alex Renew
• Middlesex County Utilities Authority
• Biosolids Pyrolysis Solution Vendor
• Manhattan College (Co-PI)
WRF Project Partners
• Fate of PFAS in the pyrolysis process
• Mass balances on metals and organics
• Energy balance
• Syngas quantity and quality
• Life cycle cost comparison to other established processes
Goals
34Joint Virtual Workshop South Florida and Treasure Coast Regional Planning Councils, "One Region, One Water”34
Thickened Primary + WAS
Thickening/Dewatering
~3%
10-15%Slurry
Digestion
SCWO
Water
Minerals
A fully functional prototype (Nix1) – 1 tpd
>374° C
250 BAR
Organic Waste Air Clean Water Carbon Dioxide Heat Electricity
Super Critical Water Oxidation (SCWO, 374Water) – Duke University
35Joint Virtual Workshop South Florida and Treasure Coast Regional Planning Councils, "One Region, One Water”
374Water Demonstration at Surfside WWTP Nantucket, MA
35
• Island, landfills dewatered cake
• Landfill closure in 2022
• PFAS issues in the residuals
Surfside WWTP
• Design/construct first Nix6 (6 wtpd system)
• Demonstrate continuously and cost competitively process biosolids with AirSCOW
• Recover resources in the form of energy, mineral nutrients, heat and reusable water
• Eliminate pharmaceuticals, PFAS, microplastics and antibiotic resistant bacteria
Goals
36Joint Virtual Workshop South Florida and Treasure Coast Regional Planning Councils, "One Region, One Water”
Hydrothermal Liquefaction (HTL) - Genifuel
• HTL uses temperature and pressure to convert wet organic matter to biocrude oil and methane gas in less than an hour
• T = 360°C; P = 3000 psi
• Captures >85% of feedstock energy
• Uses <14% of fuel energy produced to run the system
Process
• Annacis Island Treatment Facility
• 10 wet tons per day
• To start late 2021
Demonstration at Metro Vancouver
• DOE, WRF LIFT Program: ~5 dtpd
HYPOWERS Demonstration at Central San
36
Pacific North National Laboratory
37Joint Virtual Workshop South Florida and Treasure Coast Regional Planning Councils, "One Region, One Water”
Biosolids Decision Road Map
Organic Waste
General Organics Highway
RoadClosed
RoadClosed
RoadClosed
Land ApplicationCommercialFertilizerSoil Amendment
RoadClosed
Land Application
LandfillDisposal
WRRFs
EnergySoil AmendmentBeneficial Use
OIG
Joint Virtual Workshop South Florida and Treasure Coast Regional Planning Councils, "One Region, One Water”
Other biosolids trends
38
Digestion Intensification
39
• Thermal Hydrolysis Pretreatment
• High Solids Digestion
• Increased Solids Reduction
• Increased biogas production
• Reduces size of new or expanded digested, dewatering and advanced treatment facilities
• Creates additional capacity for co-digestion of external high-strength wastes (FOG, food waste, etc.)
40Joint Virtual Workshop South Florida and Treasure Coast Regional Planning Councils, "One Region, One Water”
Thermal Hydrolysis Pre-treatment (THP)
Class A Biosolids
Primary +WAS
Pre-Dewatering Centrifuge or
Belt Filter Press
THP330F/165C (90 psig)
Post-Dewatering Centrifuge or
Belt Filter Press
Anaerobic Digestion
~18-20%
~8-10%
~30-35%~5-6%
Biogas Beneficial Use:Biogas Upgrade or
CHP
High Pressure Steam
SolidsScreens
0.9-1.0 lbs steam/ lbs dry solids
Dilution Water
Cooling HEX
38-40oC
41Joint Virtual Workshop South Florida and Treasure Coast Regional Planning Councils, "One Region, One Water”41
SF, CA 270 dtpd
Calgary, AB 70 dtpd
Pontiac, MI 24 dtpd
Winnipeg, MB 130 dtpd
Medina, OH 24 dtpd
Morris Forman, KY
DC Water 400 dtpd
HRSD, Atlantic dtpd
WSSC Piscataway, 90 dtpd
Raleigh, NC 90 dtpd
TRA, TX 270 dtpd
Advanced Anaerobic digestion – Thermal Hydrolysis Pretreatment (THP) is coming to a facility near you in the near future
Thermal hydrolysis technology providers(all facilities in U.S so far are by Cambi)
Cambi 55+facilities Veolia ~ 12 facilities Sustec: 2 facilities Haarslev: 2 facilities
Omnivore high solids anaerobic digestion – Anaergia
Primary +
WAS
Sludge Screw Thickener
(SST-Anaergia)
Class B
Biosolids
Centrifuge
Dewatering
Anaerobic Digestion
(Omnivore mixing)
~12% ~25%~5-6%
Biogas beneficial use:
Biogas upgrade
CHP
Installations
• Victor Valley Wastewater Reclamation
Authority, CA ~ 15 MGD
• Camden County Municipal Utilities
Authority, NJ ~80 MGD.
• 3 SST
• 4 digesters @ 700k gallons
• Expected to start in April 2020
• Several globally
44Joint Virtual Workshop South Florida and Treasure Coast Regional Planning Councils, "One Region, One Water”
Comparison of Omnivore digestion to conventional
Conventional Ominvore Digestion
Feed solids 5-6% 10-12%
VS loading Up to 0.3 lb/ft3-day Up to 0.2 lb/ft3-day
Energy requirement Standard Reduce due to higher solids
Volatile solids
destruction45-50% 50-55%
Dewatering performance Standard Similar to conventional
Digestion volume
requiredStandard
Reduced to 1/3 due to
loading and solids feed
45Joint Virtual Workshop South Florida and Treasure Coast Regional Planning Councils, "One Region, One Water”
Trend - Growing Interest in Co-Digestion
• Landfill organics diversion mandates
• Bioenergy production
• Tipping revenue
Trends & Drivers
• Digester capacity impacts
• FOG/HSW availability and tipping fees uncertainty
• Process impacts
Planning Considerations
45
Diverted Food Waste
46Joint Virtual Workshop South Florida and Treasure Coast Regional Planning Councils, "One Region, One Water”
Trend - Interests in Alternative Project Delivery
• Risk Management
• Explore Emerging Innovative Technologies
• Leverage Private Sector Incentives
Trends & Drivers
• Understand Risk/Benefit Thresholds
• Define “Window of Opportunity”
Planning Considerations
46
Risk Benefit
47Joint Virtual Workshop South Florida and Treasure Coast Regional Planning Councils, "One Region, One Water”
• Landfilling is not a secure option, could be considered in emergencies
• Some “uncertainty” regarding the decision-making process for future planning with the anticipated EPA response to OIG report
• Pressure is mounting on land application as the dominant practice
• Tip of iceberg for emerging contaminants (e.g., PFAS)
• There appears to be a serious interest in the industry for practicing technologies beyond just producing Class A biosolids
• Some utilities are thinking ahead in phasing out land application
• Advanced digestion can reduce solids, increase biogas recovery
Take away messages
Thank you for the privilege of your time!
48
Kurt Pfeffer, PE
Cell: (561) 221-3230