NEW TECHNOLOGY FOR CONVERTING BIOSOLIDS TO AN ECONOMICAL, RENEWABLE FUEL IS NOW UNDER CONSTRUCTION
Ray Kearney, Kevin Bolin, and Brian Dooley
EnerTech Environmental, Inc.
(free)
The current trend in biosolids management in the United States is less Class B land
application and more production of Class A products. Agencies that landfill and the few that
incinerate biosolids are concerned that these practices may disappear because of changing
regulations and the increasing perception of wasting a resource instead of recycling. Some
California agencies are hauling biosolids to Arizona and Nevada for Class B land application
or landfilling, but these options are not guaranteed for the long term. In several states,
including California and Florida, governors are setting ambitious goals for increasing the use
of renewable fuels. Similar trends are occurring in Europe.
Since July 2006, four new major biosolids processing facilities in Southern California have
either broken ground or started operations. These include two composting facilities and two
processes for producing renewable fuel.
EnerTech Environmental’s 757 metric ton (833 short ton) per day Regional Biosolids
Processing Facility in Rialto, California began construction in April 2007 and should start
receiving biosolids in September 2008. The facility will utilize EnerTech’s patented
SlurryCarb™ technology, an energy efficient process that converts biosolids into a renewable
fuel called E-Fuel. E-Fuel produced at the facility will be used in lieu of coal in a local cement
kiln, thereby reducing fossil fuel consumption and recycling the original biosolids.
This paper will discuss the changes in the final design during the last twelve months,
construction status, and start-up schedule for the Rialto facility.
KEY WORDS
Biosolids, Carbonization, E-Fuel, Energy Production, Renewable Fuel, SlurryCarb™
