Biosolids Or Biohazards?
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Inclusive Business Models for Wastewater Treatment
INCLUSIVE INNOVATIONS Inclusive Business Models for Wastewater Treatment Enterprises have developed integrated, affordable wastewater treatment solutions for industries and households to encourage reuse or safe disposal HIGHLIGHTS • Wastewater treatment enterprises treat water before disposal or recycle the water so that it can be reused. • Enterprises provide household wastewater treatment systems that are modular, have low operating costs in terms of electricity and maintenance, have silent operation and less odor and offer quick returns on investment. • Enterprises focusing on industrial wastewater treatment solutions offer efficiency and cost effectiveness. They are quickly commissioned, fully automatic, have remote monitoring, require minimal hazardous chemicals, and treat water for reuse. Summary Wastewater sources include domestic wastewater—pertaining to liquid outflow from toilets, bathrooms, basins, laundry, kitchen sinks and floor washing, and industrial wastewater—effluent water that is discharged during manufacturing processes in factories or by-products from chemical reactions. There are significant operational and financial challenges associated with wastewater treatment in marginalized residential communities, where domestic wastewater does not get treated at source, but instead is discharged to local municipal facilities or directly into water bodies. Similarly, industrial wastewater is heavily contaminated and leads to pollution and diseases, if disposed without treatment. It may also contain metals that have high market value and could potentially be recovered. Social enterprises have introduced unique technologies and integrated solutions to treat such wastewater either for safe disposal or for reuse. These solutions aim to be efficient, affordable and convenient. There are two major types of wastewater treatment plants—household (residential) systems and industrial systems. This series on Inclusive Innovations explores business models that improve the lives of those living in extreme poverty. -
Legislation for the Reuse of Biosolids on Agricultural Land in Europe: Overview
sustainability Review Legislation for the Reuse of Biosolids on Agricultural Land in Europe: Overview Maria Cristina Collivignarelli 1 , Alessandro Abbà 2, Andrea Frattarola 1, Marco Carnevale Miino 1 , Sergio Padovani 3, Ioannis Katsoyiannis 4,* and Vincenzo Torretta 5 1 Department of Civil and Architectural Engineering, University of Pavia, via Ferrata 1, 27100 Pavia, Italy; [email protected] (M.C.C.); [email protected] (A.F.); [email protected] (M.C.M.) 2 Department of Civil, Environmental, Architectural Engineering and Mathematics, University of Brescia, via Branze 43, 25123 Brescia, Italy; [email protected] 3 ARPA Lombardia, Pavia Department, via Nino Bixio 13, 27100 Pavia, Italy; [email protected] 4 Department of Chemistry, Laboratory of Chemical and Environmental Technology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece 5 Department of Theoretical and Applied Sciences, University of Insubria, via G.B. Vico 46, 21100 Varese, Italy; [email protected] * Correspondence: [email protected] Received: 17 September 2019; Accepted: 25 October 2019; Published: 29 October 2019 Abstract: The issues concerning the management of sewage sludge produced in wastewater treatment plants are becoming more important in Europe due to: (i) the modification of sludge quality (biological and chemical sludge are often mixed with negative impacts on sludge management, especially for land application); (ii) the evolution of legislation (landfill disposal is banned in many European countries); and (iii) the technologies for energy and material recovery from sludge not being fully applied in all European Member States. Furthermore, Directive 2018/851/EC introduced the waste hierarchy that involved a new strategy with the prevention in waste production and the minimization of landfill disposal. -
Use of a Water Treatment Sludge in a Sewage Sludge Dewatering Process
E3S Web of Conferences 30, 02006 (2018) https://doi.org/10.1051/e3sconf/20183002006 Water, Wastewater and Energy in Smart Cities Use of a water treatment sludge in a sewage sludge dewatering process Justyna Górka1,*, Małgorzata Cimochowicz-Rybicka1 , and Małgorzata Kryłów1 1 University of Technology, Department of Environmental Engineering, 24 Warszawska, Cracow 31- 155, Poland Abstract. The objective of the research study was to determine whether a sewage sludge conditioning had any impact on sludge dewaterability. As a conditioning agent a water treatment sludge was used, which was mixed with a sewage sludge before a digestion process. The capillary suction time (CST) and the specific filtration resistance (SRF) were the measures used to determine the effects of a water sludge addition on a dewatering process. Based on the CST curves the water sludge dose of 0.3 g total volatile solids (TVS) per 1.0 g TVS of a sewage sludge was selected. Once the water treatment sludge dose was accepted, disintegration of the water treatment sludge was performed and its dewaterability was determined. The studies have shown that sludge dewaterability was much better after its conditioning with a water sludge as well as after disintegration and conditioning, if comparing to sludge with no conditioning. Nevertheless, these findings are of preliminary nature and future studies will be needed to investigate this topic. 1 Introduction Dewatering of sludge is a very important stage of the sludge processing. It reduces both sludge mass and volume, which consequently reduces costs of a further sludge processing, facilitates its transport and allows for its thermal processing. -
Anaerobic Digestion of Wastewater Sludge (Nazaroff & Alvarez-Cohen, Section 6.E.3)
Anaerobic Digestion of Wastewater Sludge (Nazaroff & Alvarez-Cohen, Section 6.E.3) nice, clean water going to disinfection and then to outdoor body of receiving water (stream, lake or sea) sludge in need of further treatment The goal is to reduce the amount of sludge that needs to be disposed. The most widely employed method for sludge treatment is anaerobic digestion. In this process, a large fraction of the organic matter (cells) is broken down into carbon dioxide (CO2) and methane (CH4), and this is accomplished in the absence of oxygen. About half of the amount is then converted into gases, while the remainder is dried and becomes a residual soil-like material. What the equipment looks like The tank is capped - to prevent oxygen from coming in, - to prevent odors from escaping, and - to capture the methane produced. This methane, a fuel, can be used to meet some of the energy requirements of the wastewater treatment facility (co-generation). What the sludge looks like after anaerobic digestion and subsequent drying. It is rich in nitrates and performs well as a fertilizer. (Photos from http://www.madep-sa.com/english/wwtp.html) 1 (Originally from Metcalf & Eddy, 1991) from & Metcalf Eddy, (Originally 6.E.7) Figure Alvarez-Cohen, & (Nazaroff How the system works The treatment of wastewater sludge, from both primary and secondary treatment steps, consists of two main phases. ● In the 1st step, all incoming flows of sludge are combined, and the mixture is heated to a mild temperature (about body temperature) to accelerate biological conversion. The residence time here ranges from 10 to 20 days. -
Revegetation of Mine Tailings Throughthe Use of Biosolid Amendment1
REVEGETATION OF MINE TAILINGS THROUGHTHE USE OF BIOSOLID AMENDMENT1 I.L. Pepper2, S.A. Bengson, P.R. Rao, and K.L. Josephson Abstract. Mine tailings represent the end product of mineral ores that are processed to extract specific metals such as copper. Tailings are in essence crushed rock with 0% organic matter, and can be layered to depths of 30B36m. We evaluated revegetation of mine tailings through the one time application of municipal biosolids. Specifically a 2 hectare copper mine-tailing plot near the Mission Mine in Southern Arizona was designated for this study. Approximately 220 dry tons per hectare of biosolids was added and incorporated in December 1998. The potential for successful revegetation was evaluated by monitoring soil microbial populations, which quickly become established at •107 heterotrophic bacteria per gram of biosolid amended mine tailings. By September 2001 vegetative cover had increased from zero to 77%. Initially bermudagrass and Russian Thistle were the predominant species involved. More recently Buffalo grass and Lehmans Lovegrass have become more prominent. Monitoring of soil metal concentrations as a function of depth showed that the tailings were the major source of metals, not the biosolids. There was no evidence that metals were leaching under the low rainfall, non-irrigated conditions. Plant tissue metal concentrations showed that phytoremediation could remove metals from the surface depths of tailings. Soil nitrate concentrations varied seasonally and with tailing depth. Nitrogen transformations included ammonification, nitrification and denitrification, which allowed nitrogen to be removed from tailings. Leaching of nitrate appeared to be minimal. Overall biosolid amendment of mine tailings appeared to be a successful technological approach to enhance revegetation of the mine tailings. -
Safe Use of Wastewater in Agriculture: Good Practice Examples
SAFE USE OF WASTEWATER IN AGRICULTURE: GOOD PRACTICE EXAMPLES Hiroshan Hettiarachchi Reza Ardakanian, Editors SAFE USE OF WASTEWATER IN AGRICULTURE: GOOD PRACTICE EXAMPLES Hiroshan Hettiarachchi Reza Ardakanian, Editors PREFACE Population growth, rapid urbanisation, more water intense consumption patterns and climate change are intensifying the pressure on freshwater resources. The increasing scarcity of water, combined with other factors such as energy and fertilizers, is driving millions of farmers and other entrepreneurs to make use of wastewater. Wastewater reuse is an excellent example that naturally explains the importance of integrated management of water, soil and waste, which we define as the Nexus While the information in this book are generally believed to be true and accurate at the approach. The process begins in the waste sector, but the selection of date of publication, the editors and the publisher cannot accept any legal responsibility for the correct management model can make it relevant and important to any errors or omissions that may be made. The publisher makes no warranty, expressed or the water and soil as well. Over 20 million hectares of land are currently implied, with respect to the material contained herein. known to be irrigated with wastewater. This is interesting, but the The opinions expressed in this book are those of the Case Authors. Their inclusion in this alarming fact is that a greater percentage of this practice is not based book does not imply endorsement by the United Nations University. on any scientific criterion that ensures the “safe use” of wastewater. In order to address the technical, institutional, and policy challenges of safe water reuse, developing countries and countries in transition need clear institutional arrangements and more skilled human resources, United Nations University Institute for Integrated with a sound understanding of the opportunities and potential risks of Management of Material Fluxes and of Resources wastewater use. -
Anaerobic Digestion of Primary Sewage Effluent
Anaerobic Digestion of Primary Sewage Effluent Prepared for the U.S. Department of Energy Office of Electricity Delivery and Energy Reliability Under Cooperative Agreement No. DE-EE0003507 Hawai‘i Energy Sustainability Program Subtask 3.4: Biomass Submitted by Hawai‘i Natural Energy Institute School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology University of Hawai‘i September 2014 Acknowledgement: This material is based upon work supported by the United States Department of Energy under Cooperative Agreement Number DE-EE0003507. Disclaimer: This report was prepared as an account of work sponsored by an agency of the United States Government. Neither the United States Government nor any agency thereof, nor any of their employees, makes any warranty, express or implied, or assumes any legal liability or responsibility for the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of any information, apparatus, product, or process disclosed, or represents that its use would not infringe privately owned rights. Reference here in to any specific commercial product, process, or service by tradename, trademark, manufacturer, or otherwise does not necessarily constitute or imply its endorsement, recommendation, or favoring by the United States Government or any agency thereof. The views and opinions of authors expressed herein do not necessarily state or reflect those of the United States Government or any agency thereof. SUMMARY A hybrid system comprised an up-flow packed bed anaerobic reactor and a down-flow trickling-filter reactor connected in series was shown to effectively treat primary clarifier effluent. When a clarifier and sand filter were added to the system, the effluent water quality achieved values of BOD5 and TSS that were below the EPA’s water discharge limits of 30 mg/l and equivalent to highly efficient activated sludge systems. -
Wastewater and Wastewatertreatment Explained
Wastewater and WastewaterTreatment Explained Wastewater Wastewater is any water that has been adversely affected in quality by anthropogenic influence. It comprises liquid waste discharged by domestic residences, commercial properties, industry, and/or agriculture and can encompass a wide range of potential contaminants and concentrations. In the most common usage, it refers to the municipal wastewater that contains a broad spectrum of contaminants resulting from the mixing of wastewaters from different sources. Wastewater Treatment Sewage treatment, or domestic wastewater treatment, is the process of removing contaminants from wastewater, both runoff (effluents) and domestic. It includes physical, chemical and biological processes to remove physical, chemical and biological contaminants. Its objective is to produce a waste stream (or treated effluent) and a solid waste or sludge suitable for discharge or reuse back into the environment. This material is often inadvertently contaminated with many toxic organic and inorganic compounds. Sewage is created by residences, institutions, hospitals and commercial and industrial establishments. It can be treated close to where it is created (in septic tanks, biofilters or aerobic treatment systems), or collected and transported via a network of pipes and pump stations to a municipal treatment plant (see sewerage and pipes and infrastructure). Sewage collection and treatment is typically subject to local, state and federal regulations and standards. Industrial sources of wastewater often require specialized treatment processes (see Industrial wastewater treatment). The sewage treatment involves three stages, called primary, secondary and tertiary treatment. First, the solids are separated from the wastewater stream. Then dissolved biological matter is progressively converted into a solid mass by using indigenous, water- borne microorganisms. -
Circular Economy in Wastewater Treatment Plant– Challenges and Barriers †
Proceedings Circular Economy in Wastewater Treatment Plant– Challenges and Barriers † Ewa Neczaj * and Anna Grosser Faculty of Infrastructure and Environment, Czestochowa University of Technology, 42-201 Czestochowa, Poland; [email protected] * Correspondence: [email protected]; Tel.: +48-343-250-917 † Presented at the 3rd EWaS International Conference on “Insights on the Water-Energy-Food Nexus”, Lefkada Island, Greece, 27–30 June 2018. Published: 31 July 2018 Abstract: The urban wastewater treatment plants can be an important part of circular sustainability due to integration of energy production and resource recovery during clean water production. Currently the main drivers for developing wastewater industry are global nutrient needs and water and energy recovery from wastewater. The article presents current trends in wastewater treatment plants development based on Circular Economy assumptions, challenges and barriers which prevent the implementation of the CE and Smart Cities concept with WWTPs as an important player. WWTPs in the near future are to become “ecologically sustainable” technological systems and a very important nexus in SMART cities. Keywords: circular economy; wastewater treatment plant; resource recovery 1. Introduction The circular economy (CE) is the concept in which products, materials (and raw materials) should remain in the economy for as long as possible, and waste should be treated as secondary raw materials that can be recycled to process and re-use [1]. This distinguishes it from a linear economy based on the, ‘take-make-use-dispose’ system, in which waste is usually the last stage of the product life cycle. CE is a concept promotes sustainable management of materials and energy by minimalizing the amount of waste generation and their reuse as a secondary material. -
Biosolids Management in New York State
Biosolids Management in New York State MARCH 2018 DIVISION OF MATERIALS MANAGEMENT | 625 BROADWAY, ALBANY, NY 12233-7253 Preface This report is an update to the Division of Materials Management 2011 edition of “Biosolids Management in New York State.” It provides the most current information available concerning biosolids management practices in New York State. Biosolids was previously called sewage sludge. 6 NYCRR Part 360 regulations define biosolids as: the accumulated semi-solids or solids resulting from treatment of wastewaters from publicly or privately owned or operated sewage treatment plants. Biosolids does not include grit or screenings, or ash generated from the incineration of biosolids. We would like to thank all chief operators and managers of the wastewater treatment facilities in New York State that responded to our survey questionnaires. The report could not be completed as comprehensively without their assistance. Any comments, questions, or requests for specific data regarding this report may be sent to Molly Baker at [email protected]. Table of Contents Findings Summary ......................................................................................................................................... 1 Biosolids Management Survey ...................................................................................................................... 3 Sources of Information ............................................................................................................................. 3 Biosolids -
A Review of Pretreatment Methods to Enhance Solids Reduction During
applied sciences Review A Review of Pretreatment Methods to Enhance Solids Reduction during Anaerobic Digestion of Municipal Wastewater Sludges and the Resulting Digester Performance: Implications to Future Urban Biorefineries Bimi Shrestha 1, Rafael Hernandez 1, Dhan Lord B. Fortela 1, Wayne Sharp 2, Andrei Chistoserdov 3, Daniel Gang 2 , Emmanuel Revellame 4, William Holmes 5 and Mark E. Zappi 1,* 1 Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Louisiana at Lafayette, Lafayette, LA 70504, USA; [email protected] (B.S.); [email protected] (R.H.); [email protected] (D.L.B.F.) 2 Department of Civil Engineering, University of Louisiana at Lafayette, Lafayette, LA 70504, USA; [email protected] (W.S.); [email protected] (D.G.) 3 Department of Biology, University of Louisiana at Lafayette, Lafayette, LA 70504, USA; [email protected] 4 Department of Industrial Technology, University of Louisiana at Lafayette, Lafayette, LA 70504, USA; [email protected] 5 Energy Institute of Louisiana, University of Louisiana at Lafayette, Lafayette, LA 70503, USA; [email protected] * Correspondence: [email protected] Received: 18 November 2020; Accepted: 18 December 2020; Published: 21 December 2020 Abstract: The rapid increase in the population is expected to result in the approaching of design capacity for many US wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) over the next decade. WWTPs treat both municipal and industrial wastewater influents, resulting in the production of biosolids after digestion. Biogas, a potential recovered alternative energy source, is also produced as an output from successful anaerobic digestion. More than 7M of dry tons/year of biosolids produced in the US are most often disposed in either landfills or land-applied (~80%). -
Sewage and Wastewater Plants in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed 21 Sewage Plants Violated Permit Limits in 2016; PA and VA Used Trading to Allow Pollution
Sewage and Wastewater Plants in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed 21 Sewage Plants Violated Permit Limits in 2016; PA and VA Used Trading to Allow Pollution NOVEMBER 29, 2017 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS This report was researched and written by Courtney Bernhardt and Tom Pelton of the Environmental Integrity Project. THE ENVIRONMENTAL INTEGRITY PROJECT The Environmental Integrity Project (http://www.environmentalintegrity.org) is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization established in March of 2002 by former EPA enforcement attorneys to advocate for effective enforcement of environmental laws. EIP has three goals: 1) to provide objective analyses of how the failure to enforce or implement environmental laws increases pollution and affects public health; 2) to hold federal and state agencies, as well as individual corporations, accountable for failing to enforce or comply with environmental laws; and 3) to help local communities obtain the protection of environmental laws. For questions about this report, please contact EIP Director of Communications Tom Pelton at (202) 888-2703 or [email protected]. PHOTO CREDITS Cover photo of Patapsco Wastewater Treatment Plant from University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science. Photo of Back River WWTP by Tom Pelton. Photo of Monocacy River by Maryland Department of Natural Resources. Photo of Massanutten Wastewater Treatment Plant by Alan Lehman. Sewage and Wastewater Plants in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed Executive Summary Across the Chesapeake Bay watershed, 21 sewage treatment plants violated their permit limits last year by releasing excessive amounts of nitrogen or phosphorus pollution that fuel algal blooms and low-oxygen “dead zones” in waterways, according to an Environmental Integrity Project examination of federal and state records.1 The plants in violation included 12 municipal sewage facilities in Maryland that treat more than half of the state’s wastewater, with the most pollution coming from the state’s largest two facilities: Baltimore’s Back River and Patapsco wastewater treatment plants.