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?


Typical conventional solids process


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%


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)


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


Current Regulatory Drivers


• 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


• 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


• 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.


FDEP has tightened rules for biosolids land application.

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New rules address migration of nutrients from land applied biosolids to surface waters.


• 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


• 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


• 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)


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%

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• 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


• 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


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


What are PFAS chemicals and how did we get here?

21


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


• 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?


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.


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


Pyrolysis/Gasification

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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


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


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


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


• 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


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


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

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Pacific North National Laboratory


Biosolids Decision Road Map

Organic Waste

General Organics Highway

RoadClosed

RoadClosed

RoadClosed

Land ApplicationCommercialFertilizerSoil Amendment

RoadClosed

Land Application

LandfillDisposal

WRRFs

EnergySoil AmendmentBeneficial Use

OIG


Other biosolids trends

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Digestion Intensification

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• 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.)


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


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


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

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Diverted Food Waste


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


• 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

[email protected]

Cell: (561) 221-3230

mailto:[email protected]

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