Regionalization of Biosolids Treatment with New Digestion, Advanced Energy Recovery, and Beneficial Reuse at Albany and Saratoga Counties

摘要

The ripple effect of the recent MACT regulations can be felt in many areas of the country as incinerators are being shut down and new solids regimes are being sought out This is especially true in the capital region of upstate New York where the Albany County Water Protection District (ACWPD)and Saratoga County Sewer District (SCSD)have historically relied on incineration of raw sludge for their final solids management. Faced with more stringent regulations, the need for substantial incinerator upgrades, and high area cost to dispose at landfills, these utilities decided to join forces and evaluate the viability of a regional biosolids facility. Both ACWPD and SCSD have recognized that hauling undigested sludge cake to a landfill is not a cost effective 01 sustainable long-term approach to biosolids management through individually conducted studies into implementing new biosolids treatment Based on the findings of the individual studies, both organizations have elected to jointly evaluate a regional biosolids facility that would take advantage of capital construction cost and operation and maintenance (O&M) economies of scale. By sharing resources and leveraging economies of scale, ACWPD and SCSD have devised a financially viable regional facility that includes advanced energy recovery systems. The following goals were targeted in this study: 1. Determining the economic viability of anew regional biosolids facility; 2. Establishing the most economical strategy to maximize energy recovery while making use of existing facilities on site; 3. Determining the viability of producing Class A biosolids; 4. Developing an overall operational strategy for the regional biosolids facility; 5. Estimating capital and O&M costs for the facility; and 6. Determining how regionalization could make biosolids handling more efficient and effective for both ACWPD and SCSD.