Evaluation of an innovative integrated technology for the processing of municipal wastewater biosolids.

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Canadian wastewater treatment facilities produce more than 2.5 million wet tonnes of biosolids and sludge per year. The quantity of municipal biosolids produced continues to increase as the population expands. Currently municipalities are managing biosolids through landfill, incineration, land application, and advanced stabilization (i.e. composting or alkaline stabilization). The primary emissions from biosolids processing includes particulates and odorous gases which are considered a nuisance and need to be treated before being exhausted. As wastewater infrastructure continues to age, new low cost, small footprint, and energy efficient technologies are highly sought after. Upgraded wastewater facilities are needed to implement the Canada-wide Strategy for the Management of Municipal Biosolids signed by the Canadian Council of Municipalities of the Environment. Walker Environmental Group Inc. is an Ontario-based company that owns the patented N-Viro® process, an advanced stabilization technology, to produce agricultural fertilizers and soil amendments, known as N-Rich®. Walker Environmental aims to introduce an innovative chemical pretreatment process prior to their advanced alkaline stabilization process. The primary objective of this applied research project is to assess and optimize the innovative chemical pretreatment process for its ability to enhance the treatment process, treat solids, reduce operating costs and reduce odour. Optimization of this pretreatment process will be confirmed by determining optimal operating conditions when processing wastewater solids, including e.g. chemical dose, contact time, pH. The results of this research will allow Walker Environmental to develop and optimize this integrated system under real world conditions to process municipal solids and produce a Class B biosolids material at low costs. Moreover, they will be able to demonstrate to potential customers what this new system has to offer in terms of treatment capabilities and by-product quality, allowing them to expand in the Canadian and international markets.