Challenge
Newport, TN, sends about 2.8 mgd of sewage to its municipal wastewater treatment plant. After it is screened, skimmed, treated, filtered, chlorinated and dechlorinated, the treated liquid is released back into area rivers and streams. The remaining sludge byproduct had to be hauled away or burned and the large volumes were a problem.
Solution
In October 2003, Newport installed an indirect dryer called the Dragon Dryer® system from Siemens Water Technologies. A belt press ahead of the dryer dewaters the sludge to about 16% solids. The sludge cake then enters the dryer system, where it is dried to 90% or higher solids content. The result is Class A biosolids that are:
- safe to handle
- cost-effective to distribute
- beneficial to use as a fertilizer
The system transforms the city's sludge into between six to eight dry tons of granular biosolids per day. The dried granular Class A biosolids appeal to farmers for several reasons:
- various sizes of particles bring both immediate and long-term benefits
- slow-release works well even when heavy rains occur
- can be handled by conventional farming equipment
- farmers pay less to transport the dried biosolids
Results
- Newport no longer has to worry about the cost of disposing of and storing its previously generated Class B sludge, which contained small but compliant amounts of bacteria.
- The city has virtually eliminated sludge by transforming it into a safe, money-generating byproduct.
- And farmers get an effective fertilizer at an economical price.
Newport Wins Award!
Newport Utilities was recognized and rewarded for changes made to their wastewater systems. They were awarded the 2007 Beneficial Use Project Award by the Kentucky/Tennessee WEA Treatment Technology Committee.
The purpose of the award is to recognize wastewater systems that have demonstrated outstanding management of their biosolids treatment and disposal processes, particularly relating to the beneficial reuse of process by-products.
Carrol Proffitt, Wastewater Manager, was presented the award at the Kentucky/Tennessee Water Professionals Conference on Tuesday July 17, 2007. Congratulations to Newport Utilities on their achievement!
Carrol Proffitt (left) Receiving Award at Water Professionals Conference
See complete article printed in the February 2005 issue of WaterWorld: Utility Turns Sludge Problem into Usable Product