Quality biosolids recycling – winter stockpiling without risking prosecution
Evans, T. – TIM EVANS ENVIRONMENTAL
(free)
After two wet winters in parts of the UK, during which many stockpiles of dewatered biosolids have self-levelled and some have moved towards water courses, it is said that the Environment Agency is losing patience with “business as usual and hope for the best”. Nobody could say with any sincerity that biosolids in such an unsecured stockpile is a quality product or that a recycling operation of which it was a part is high quality. The sideways forces exerted by cake once it gets wet beyond a critical moisture content are too large for containment by practicable, transportable walling systems. Limiting stockpiling to level sites where there will be no harm if cake were to move restricts the landbank available for recycling and consequently increases haulage costs. The enthusiasm of farmer customers is dampened by seeing stockpiles that have self-levelled, maybe encroaching on developing crops. Revised sentencing guidelines, effective from 1st July 2014, will increase fines enormously for negligent or reckless environmental offences. Airbeam Roller Stockpile Covers (patented) are easy to deploy and undeploy, they are transportable and reusable, they protect cake from rain, the contain odour if that is an issue and they protect all parties from prosecution.
The Biosolids conference attracts the most authoritative global experts in the area of biosolids and organic resource handling, treatment and recycling. The programme covers both the latest innovations and updates of existing technologies. Presentations from respected industry experts and newcomers follow the development of technologies and legislation from inception to full-scale installations.
The conference regularly gathers over 200 delegates from all over Europe, many of them return every year both for the technical presentations and fantastic networking opportunities.
Regular conference themes include:
• Thickening and Dewatering
• Modelling Sludge Handling and Utilisation
• Commissioning and Operating Experiences with Thermal Hydrolysis
• Tackling Potential Odour Problems
• Operating Experiences and Potential Problems in Digester Operation
• Ensuring Optimum Energy Recovery from Biogas
• Liquor Treatment and P Removal
• Alternative Products from Sludge
• Enhancing the Value of Biosolids and Digestate
• Pathogens and Pollutants In Digestate
• Sharing Experiences
