lynne h moss, bcee current emerging trends associate bi
TRANSCRIPT
Current and Emerging Trends in Bi lid M t
Lynne H Moss, BCEE
Associate
July 28, 2011
Biosolids Management
Presentation Basis: New WEF/NBP Report
Current Trends ReportReport
Biosolids Experts Meeting
Future Trends and Action Plan
Framework for Discussion
Regulation and Policy
Technology
Operations andManagementg
Communication and TrainingTraining
ResearchResearch
New EPA Regulations (March 2011)
• Classification of sewage sludge as solid wastesolid waste– Could impact combustion in
cement kilns and other resource recovery approachesrecovery approaches
– At issue: legitimacy criteria
• New emissions requirements for qsewage sludge incinerators– Moved from CA 112 to CA 129
NACWA fil d titi f– NACWA filed petition for reconsideration and stay of rule with EPA, and legal review of rule
hwith DC Circuit Court
State Regulatory Changes
• State Revisions of “503 Rule”– Elimination of some Class A
alternatives
– Differentiation between Class A cake and value‐Class A cake and valueadded products
– Class B restrictions
– New pollutant limits (Mo)
– Phosphorus‐based mgt
• County and Local• County and Local Restrictions
• Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Regulations
Concerns Regarding the 503 Rule
• Essentially complete• 14 Projects, including TNSSS
EPA Response to NAS Report j , gNAS Report
• Arsenic• DioxinNew Risk Factors
• Emerging Pathogens• Variety of Pathogens
Validity of Indicator Organisms
l d d • Stability• Odor and Health Impacts
Biosolids Odor and Emissions
• Variations in state regulationsPhosphorus‐based • Biosolids P‐availability
pMgt
• Trace Organics • Emerging Pathogens...and more
Research and Emerging Issues Emerging Pathogens...and moreEmerging Issues
Emerging Issues and Research
• Trace OrganicsSudden Increase
Research
Eff t f
Odor Research Compounds associated
with longer‐term New culturing
– Fate, transport
– Bioassays
• Regrowth Odors
Effect of Processes
godorants
Mechanisms for production
Reducing methanogeninhibition
gmethod
Time‐temperature curve
Mechanism of reactivation
Land application, storage, dewatering, digestion, upstream • Regrowth, Odors
and Sudden Increase (ROSI)
Inhibitionof Indicator
Reducing Substrate
Benchmark lowodor product
Targeted control
collection and treatment, amendments
• Emerging Pathogens Regrowth Research
GrowthAvailability
Factors impacting indicator regrowth
Public Perception: “Persistent Uncertainties” Remain
• Survey of regulators found More stringent rules
that it is greatest pressure on biosolids programs (NEBRA, 2007)
National impacts on local events( , )
• Survey showed only 14% of public know what “bi lid ” (NEBRA
Shift to Class A processes
PUBLIC PERCEPTION“biosolids” means (NEBRA,
2004)
processes
Focus on quality d h
PERCEPTION
and outreach
Research
Biosolids and Climate Change: Opportunities and ChallengesChallenges
GHGIMPACTS PHOTOSYNTHETIC
CARBONFROM BIOSOLIDS
FUGITIVE EMISSIONSCHEMICALS
FUELELECTRICITY
GHGOFFSETS
SEQUESTRATION OF PHOTOSYNTHETIC
NUTRIENTS RECYCLED
NET GAS PRODUCED
• Need biosolids‐specific standard protocols to quantify carbon
OFFSETSCARBON
• Need biosolids‐specific, standard protocols to quantify carbon footprints
• Incentives for renewable energy
Pressures Driving Diverse Biosolids Products and OutletsOutlets
• Increased interest in Class A, value‐added products– Compost
– Heat‐driedHeat dried
• Looking beyond agricultural land application– Landscaping/Horticulture
– Cement kilns
Fuel for synthetic gas– Fuel for synthetic gas• Gasification
Our Changing View of Beneficial Use
“1991:
“B fi i l UProposed 2007:
“Beneficial Use means any application of sludge on land specifically designed
“Putting a particular biosolids product to its best and highest use byg
to take advantage of the nutrient and other
characteristics of this
best and highest use by maximizing the utilization
of nutrients, organic /characteristics of this
material to improve soil fertility or structure and th b f th
matter, moisture, and/or other qualities – including extracting the maximum thereby further some
natural resource management objective.”
gamount of energy
possible.”
Source: NEBRA, 2007
Our Changing View of Solids Management
BioenergyResource
Sludge Disposal Biosolids Beneficial Use Resource
Recovery
1970 19931970 1993 2000 2005 20102000 2005 20101970 19931970 1993 2000 2005 20102000 2005 2010
Biogas: Looking Beyond Boilers and I.C Engines
Boilers
I C EnginesI.C. Engines
Blowers
BiogasFuel Cells
Heat Dryers
Micro-Turbines
Natural Gas
Vehicle Fuel
Anaerobic Digestion: Focus on Optimization
• Enhanced mixing
• High temperature• High temperature
• Separate phases
• Increased solids retention
• Hydrolysis
Co‐Digestion: Going Beyond the Fence Line to Optimize Biofuel ProductionOptimize Biofuel Production
Biodiesel
FOG (fats, oils, grease)
Biogas
Food WasteFood Waste
Other Technology Trends• Dewatering – simplicity, enclosed units, enhanced
performancep• Nutrient harvesting• Odor minimization• Energy optimization• Solids minimization
Operation and Management Drivers and Trends
Partner-
• Private Enterprise• ESCOs• Other municipalships • Other municipal
departments
Beyond Compli-
• Outreach• NBP, ABC
Certification
EconomicsRisk
ance Certification• Best PracticesExpertise
Diversity • Outlets
Professional and Training Tools• Drivers
– Changing regulations, technologiesFocus on outreach– Focus on outreach
– Limited time for travel– Aging and diminishing work force– Changing delivery approaches (web)
• ToolsConferences and seminars– Conferences and seminars
– Web-based delivery– Certification programs– Design/practice manuals– Fact sheets/Technical Practice Updates– “Biosolids Libraries”
Charting the Future of Biosolids
• WEF/NBP hosted meeting in Alexandria, VA– Dec 1 and 2, 2010
• 40 + biosolids practitioners representing all areas of practice:Owners operators regulators academics consultants– Owners, operators, regulators, academics, consultants
• Charge:– Predict future trends
– Identify action plan to position WWTPs to:• Leverage opportunities
O h ll• Overcome challenges
Regulation and Policy
Support federal recognition of bi lid bl
• Educate legislators and others on the benefits f lid bl
Need or Issue Action
biosolids as a renewable resource of solids as a renewable resource
Plan for an increased role communicating with the public and governmental agencies on regulatory issues
• Promote a multi‐agency regulatory strategy emphasizing maximum environmental benefit in regulatory development
• Provide guidance to regulators on emerging issues g g g gproducts and issues
Recognize an increasingly fragmented regulatory framework for solids management
• Increase educational efforts for both solids managers and regulators, aimed at developing more consistent, less fragmented regulatory approachespp
Support efforts to improve biosolids quality and reduce odor
• Consider modifications to existing vector attraction reduction (VAR) requirements
• Consider “peer pressure” to encourage utilities to produce appropriate quality productsproducts
Consider product stewardship and bioassays to address microconstituents in the near to mid‐tern
• Develop/participate in voluntary pollution prevention programs and product stewardship initiatives
• Continue bioassay research
Technology
Need or Issue Action
Better quantify carbon footprint impacts from biosolids operations as a basis to gauge sustainability goals and achievements
• Develop unified and standard protocol for green house gas (GHG) emission estimates
• Incorporate improved carbon sequestration understanding into the protocol
Focus on integrated solutions• Coordinate with other municipal departments and private entities to co‐manage organic residuals and waste heat
Provide research /incentives to move• Promote research to better understand new processesProvide research /incentives to move
innovative technologies forwardprocesses
• Develop incentive programs to adopt innovative processes
Consider regionalized operations, where practical
• Look to regionalization – and economy of scale – to offset risk of and cost for new state‐f h f ili iwhere practical of‐the art facilities
Be aware of—and prepared for—external technology influences
• Monitor impact of wastewater infrastructure replacement/rehabilitation and wastewater treatment requirements on solids quality/quantityquality/quantity
Operations and Management
Recognize that the core business mission of a WWTP is moving beyond wastewater and solids treatment
• Seek to maximize resources extracted from solids throughout the biosolids value chain
• Promote co management of organic residuals
Need or Issue Action
wastewater and solids treatment • Promote co‐management of organic residuals
Enhance programs and tools that support a continued trend toward “going beyond” compliance
• Focus on EMS• Adopt “triple‐bottom line” analyses for solids management
Continue to expand vision beyondContinue to expand vision beyond plant boundaries to improve biosolids quality
• Focus on product stewardship and pollution prevention approaches
Consider leveraging public‐private partnerships
• Explore partnerships to assist with funding for new management technology deployment, to co manage organic residuals and to utilizepartnerships co‐manage organic residuals and to utilize biosolids‐derived biogas
In a complex operating environment, program flexibility and diversity will be increasingly important
• Consider phasing of large scale program changes
• Diversify management options/product outletsg y p outlets
Focus on knowledge management and re‐staffing
• Develop focused outreach to support new staff entrants through scholarships, internships, outreach to university professional societies and other mechanisms
Communications and Training
Develop an easily accessible “clearing house” for solids information
• Identify mechanisms to develop, fund and maintain information such that the clearing house remains relevant.
Need or Issue Action
Leverage the internet and social network as communication tools
• Continue to use web‐based education tools• Optimize search engine functions to ensure that educational materials are readily available
• Expand use of social networking tools
Consider “peer –to‐peer” mentoring• Develop peer relationships between both organizations and utilities for enhanced information exchange
C id bi lid b d • Assign a person or persons, preferably anConsider a biosolids ambassador position
Assign a person or persons, preferably an academic, to travel across the country as an educator on biosolids subjects
Better disseminate research
• Ensure that both historic and new research findings are accessible both in convenience and format
• Support “state –of‐the‐science” meetings to present new research
Fund communication and outreach initiatives
• Use “soybean checkoff” model as a springboard for discussions to develop a suitable model for the biosolids sectorthe biosolids sector
Research
l h h • Continue to develop targeted collaborative
Need or Issue Action
Develop new research approaches to address need for integrated solutions, swift response times, and funding constraints
• Continue to develop targeted collaborative research
• Consider development and enhancement of research centers
• Where appropriate, look to integrated research
• Topics– Odor
– Emerging Pollutants
– Stability
Ph h Li it– Phosphorus Limits
– Energy Management
The Path Forward
• Who will implement the Action Plan (individually or )collaboratively)
– WEF
– NBPNBP
– Regional Biosolids Associations (NEBRA, MABA, NWBA)
– Utilities
– Universities/Research Centers
YOU?– YOU?
FOR MORE INFORMATION:FOR MORE INFORMATION: Join us at the WEAT Biosolids, Odor and Corrosion Conference,
Aug 3 & 4, San Marcoswww.weat.org/http://www.weat.org/events/2011BiosolidsandOdora
dC i b h dfndCorrosionbrochure.pdf
Thank you!y
Lynne [email protected]