Beneficial Uses of Biosolids
A look at Alberta’s Projects
Biosolids Management Seminar
Sifting Through The Muck
January 26, 2012
Allan Mumby
Biosolids Specialist
EPCOR Water Services Inc.
Edmonton, AB
Beneficial Uses of Municipal Biosolids
Presentation Topics
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Biosolids Seminar 2012
What are biosolids?
How are biosolids produced?
What does ‘beneficial use’ mean?
Beneficial uses of biosolids
Alberta Projects
Beneficial Uses of Municipal Biosolids
What are Biosolids?
Biosolids are the nutrient-rich solid organic matter that is produced
following a process of wastewater sludge stabilization and
dewatering. Wastewater sludge stabilization is a process that is
used to hasten the biodegradation of organic compounds and to
reduce pathogen populations and mobility.
The term wastewater sludge refers to the suspensions of solid
materials that are removed from wastewater that have not
received any further treatment.
There are approximately 660,000 dry tonnes of biosolids
produced in Canada each year. (CCME – 2010)
Biosolids Seminar 2012
Beneficial Uses of Municipal Biosolids
How are biosolids produced?
Screening
Grit
Removal
Primary
Clarification
Biological
Treatment
Tertiary
Treatment
Secondary
Clarification
Disinfection
Wastewater
Screenings
Grit
Primary
Sludge
Thickening
Secondary
Sludge
Treated
Effluent
Reclaimed
Water
Landfill
ing
v
i
ce er
R e W at
Primary
Fermenters
Biogas
Biosolids
Digestion
Biosolids Seminar 2012
Beneficial Use of Municipal Biosolids
Edmonton Waste Management Center
North America's largest collection of
modern, sustainable waste processing
and research facilities.
•Estimated 150,000 Dry Tonnes of
Biosolids stored in the Cloverbar lagoons
Gold Bar Wastewater Treatment Plant
One of the most innovative wastewater
treatment facilities in North America
•21,000 Dry Tonnes of Biosolids per annum
Biosolids Seminar 2012
Beneficial Uses of Municipal Biosolids
What is ‘Beneficial Use’ of Biosolids?
Beneficial use of biosolids means the use of biosolids on land or
in the production of energy where the nutrients, organic matter or
energy contained within the biosolids are utilized in such a way
that positive net benefits are realized without causing harm to
human health or the environment.
Landfilling of biosolids, even with landfill gas capture and
use, is not considered a beneficial use of biosolids nor is the
incineration of biosolids without energy capture.
Biosolids Seminar 2012
Beneficial Uses of Municipal Biosolids
Most beneficial uses of biosolids fit into 1 of 2 categories:
On Land:
•Fertilizer (plant nutrients),
•Soil amendment (humus and improved tilth)
•Improved water retention (erosion control)
For Energy:
•Fuel (coal or wood substitute)
•Feedstock for heat and power generation systems
•Conversion to biofuels
A reduction of greenhouse gas emissions are applicable to most
beneficial uses of biosolids.
Biosolids Seminar 2012
Beneficial Uses of Municipal Biosolids
Beneficial uses of biosolids on land
Agriculture: fertilizer and soil amendment
•Reduces need for commercial fertilizers
•Reduces crop production costs and increases yield
•Improves soil fertility, soil structure and moisture retention
•Addition of organic matter improves soil tilth
Land Rehabilitation:
•Improves soil fertility, soil structure, moisture retention and tilth
Mine Reclamation:
•Provides organic matter and nutrients to the soil
Silviculture and Forestry:
•Provides nutrients – especially important in first few years of growth
•Improves soil fertility, soil structure and moisture retention
Erosion Control:
•Improves water holding capacity
Compost production:
•Biosolids compost or feed for co-composting
Manufactured soils:
•Combined with sand and wood chips or other materials to make soil
Biosolids Seminar 2012
Beneficial Uses of Municipal Biosolids
Beneficial Uses of biosolids for Energy Production
Fuel:
Dried biosolids (<15% moisture) have a very high heating
value and can be used as a substitute for coal or wood.
example: Alternative to coal in the production of cement. The
bottom ash is incorporated into the final cement product
Thermal Energy Production:
Heat energy is captured and used in a beneficial way.
example: Dried biosolids are incinerated, the heat is captured
and used to dry the incoming biosolids. Any excess heat is then
used for other purposes such as building heat.
Bio-Fuel Production:
Gasification: Syngas (hydrogen) is produced and can be used directly or
further processed to other biofuels such as methanol and
ethanol
Biosolids Seminar 2012
Beneficial Uses of Municipal Biosolids
Agricultural land application of biosolids is the most common beneficial use of biosolids in North America.
Edmonton’s Nutrigold program was established in 1978 and since that time more than 496,000 dry tonnes
of biosolids have been applied to local farmland.
Biosolids Seminar 2012
Beneficial Uses of Municipal Biosolids
In 2011, 10,680 dry tonnes of biosolids were applied to agricultural fields. Both liquid biosolids (8% total
solids) and dewatered biosolids (24% total solids) are used in the Nutrigold program.
Biosolids Seminar 2012
Beneficial Uses of Municipal Biosolids
The City of Edmonton’s compost operations began production in 2002. Biosolids are used as a feedstock for the
production of various compost products at the Edmonton Waste Management Center. Biosolids are mixed with
municipal solids waste (MSW) to make a MSW compost. Biosolids are mixed with wood chips to produce
biosolids compost products.
Biosolids Seminar 2012
Beneficial Uses of Municipal Biosolids
Compost Products and Markets
Brand:
Second Nature Horticultural Compost
Biosolids Compost
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City Parks
Retailers
Landscapers
Developers
Direct to Consumer
Woodchip Compost (byproduct of BS compost screening)
• Erosion Control
MSW Compost
• Absorbent (Oil & Gas extraction)
• Agriculture
Yard Waste Compost (no biosolids)
• ‘Organic’ horticulture
Biosolids Seminar 2012
Beneficial Uses of Municipal Biosolids
Land owned by the ACRWC and adjacent to their WWTP is an old abandoned gravel pit. Biosolids were
stockpiled on the site in Nov. 2009 and applied to the site in the spring of 2010. Biosolids stockpiling best
management practice was established and approved by AEW. This BMP has been used on several other project
sites. A hybrid poplar plantation and agricultural field were established at the site.
Biosolids Seminar 2012
Beneficial Uses of Municipal Biosolids
Hybrid poplars are some of the fastest-growing trees in North America and are well suited for the
production of bioenergy (heat, power, transportation fuels) and fiber (paper, pulp, particle board). In
2010 Alberta-Pacific Forest Industries Inc. (Al-Pac) established a new plantation on land in Lamont
County that was treated with Edmonton’s biosolids. Bigger, healthier trees will be the result.
Biosolids Seminar 2012
Beneficial Uses of Municipal Biosolids
Biosolids are applied to established plantations as
well. This is something that is being considered on the
ALPAC plantations.
Biosolids Seminar 2012
Beneficial Uses of Municipal Biosolids
Biosolids have a long history of aiding in the reclamation of mineral mines and aggregate pits and quarries. In the
fall of 2010 biosolids were applied to a piece of reclamation land at the Genesee coal mine site. Wheat was
planted in the spring of 2011. The results of the improvements that biosolids had on yield and quality were
impressive.
Biosolids app @ 1x ag rate
Control Plot – no biosolids
2x Ag rate
1x Ag rate
Control
Biosolids Seminar 2012
Beneficial Uses of Municipal Biosolids
In Edmonton dried biosolids will be used as a feedstock in the production of a biofuel that will
then be used to fuel some of the city’s garbage collection trucks.
Biosolids Seminar 2012
Beneficial Uses of Municipal Biosolids
King County (Seattle/Bellevue) applies biosolids to agricultural fields that will grow canola
that will then be refined into biodiesel that will power buses in the local transit system.
Biosolids Seminar 2012
Beneficial Uses of Municipal Biosolids
Biosolids from five municipalities in the Los Angeles region California are dried and then
shipped to a local cement kiln where, as an alternative to coal, they are used as a fuel to
produce cement products. This same idea is currently being explored here at Lehigh’s
cement plant in northwest Edmonton.
Biosolids Seminar 2012
Beneficial Uses of Municipal Biosolids
The City of Milwaukee has been converting biosolids into Milorganite, which is a heat treated
biosolids product, since the 1920’s. Milorganite is sold in retail garden centers throughout
North America.
Biosolids Seminar 2012
Beneficial Uses of Municipal Biosolids
What about carbon and GHG?
Reductions of greenhouse gases are usually applicable to any
beneficial use of biosolids.
On land:
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Carbon is stored in the soils and used for energy by soil microbes and plants.
Air emissions of methane and nitrous oxide (2 powerful GHG’s) emitted from the
biosolids is greatly reduced when they are in the soil.
Commercial fertilizers are not required or in reduced volumes thus saving GHG
emissions associated with their manufacture, transportation and application.
For Energy:
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Alternatives to hydrocarbon energy saves GHG emissions from their production
and consumption.
A new model has been developed in Canada for the determination of
GHG’s emitted from various biosolids production and management
methods. The “Biosolids Emissions Assessment Model” is available on
the ccme.ca website.
Biosolids Seminar 2012
Beneficial Uses of Municipal Biosolids
Conclusion:
Biosolids are an important resource that when managed properly can
bring a lot of benefits to our communities.
Continued innovation and development of new technologies and
methodologies for capturing and utilizing the beneficial properties of
biosolids will continue to be explored and applied; here in Alberta,
across our country and around the planet.
Biosolids Seminar 2012
Beneficial Uses of Municipal Biosolids
THANK YOU
Biosolids Seminar 2012