Impact of Treatment Temperature Decline on Stability of Advanced Alkaline Biosolids

Document Type : Original Research Paper

Authors

1 Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, School of Public Health, 2020 Gravier Street, 3rd Floor, New Orleans, Louisiana 70112, USA

2 Tulane University, School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA

3 Georgia Southern University, Jiann Ping Hsu College of Public Health, Statesboro, Georgia, USA

Abstract

Biosolids must be stabilized in order to reduce odors, which have been noted as a major concern
with respect to alkaline stabilization. Stabilization is designed to address potential putrefaction processes,
odiferous releases and vector attraction concerns. Also, most alkaline processes are open systems in which
temperature and mixing are more difficult to control, and factors such as increased pressure or bactericidal
action of un-ionized ammonia are not present to aid in disinfection. The purpose of this project was to begin
assessment of the long-term stability of an advanced alkaline product resulting from operating conditions
established by testing previously conducted and approved by EPA’s Pathogen Equivalency Committee. The
conditions formerly established as optimum to achieve required pathogen destruction resulted in the ability of advanced alkaline system to operate at a lower temperature of 55oC as opposed to the temperature of 70oC required by the U.S. EPA 40CFR Part 503 Final Rule Standards for the Use or Disposal of Sewage Sludge. All previous data collected regarding the ability of the advanced alkaline product to remain stabilized over long periods of time were related to the material produced at the higher temperatures which indicated no significant decline in pH over a time of 5 years.The goal of this research is to obtain better understanding of the stabilization of biosolids over time, lower costs, reduce odor formation and to reduce vector and pathogen attraction so to comply with the current requirements.

Keywords

International Journal of Environmental Research
Volume 6, Issue 4 - Serial Number 4
October 2012
Pages 925-932

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