24 th National Compost Conference Halifax, Nova Scotia

Transcription

1 What Will Happen to What You re Leaving Behind in Halifax: The Halifax Biosolids Management Program 24 th National Compost Conference Halifax, Nova Scotia Susheel Arora, M.A.Sc., P.Eng. Director, Wastewater and Stormwater Services Tom Harz, P.Ag. Plant Manager, Walker Environmental

2 Overview of Halifax Water Halifax Water is the only regulated water, wastewater and stormwater utility in Canada and provides potable water, wastewater and stormwater services about 400,000 residents.

3 The Mission of Halifax Water To provide world class services for our customers and our environment

4 Introduction Halifax s Biosolids program was initiated as a part of the Harbour Solutions Project in 2003 Two Principles HRM manages the waste it creates; and Biosolids is a beneficial-use product, and not land-filled. Advanced Alkaline Stabilization with Subsequent Accelerated Drying technology was selected. The facility is owned by Halifax Water and operated by N-Viro Systems Canada Limited. 4

5 Biosolids Management in Halifax - Background (Sept. 2006) (Oct. 2007) (June 2008) 5

6 Biosolids Management in Halifax - Background 6

7 Halifax Water s N-Viro Process Admixture to dryer Dewatered Sludge at Receiving Pad Lime and CKD storage N-Viro Soil Amendment (NVSA) Dryer

8 Biosolids Processing Facility BIOSOLIDS PROCESSING FACILITY (Aerotech Park) 8

9 Legislative Framework in Canada 9

10 Heavy metal limits for agricultural use Within the EU, high variability for all metals e.g. Cd, Cu Europe Cd Cr Cu Hg Ni Pb Zn As Mo Co Se Directive 86/278/EEC ,000-1, ,500-4,000 Austria ,500-2, Belgium (Flanders) Belgium (Walloon) ,000 Bulgaria ,000 Czech republic , Denmark , , Finland ,500 France , ,000 Germany ,500 Greece ,000-1, ,500-4,000 Hungary 10 1,000-1(Cr VI) 1, , Italy 20 1, ,500 Netherlands Poland ,500 Portugal 20 1,000 1, ,500 Romania ,000 Slovenia Spain ,000-1,750 1,000-1, ,500-4,000 Sweden United States 503 Rule Ceiling concentration 85-4, , Exceptional quality (EQ) 39-1, , NS Guideline Cat. A CFIA Max Conc ns Halifax Water NVSA

11 Heavy metal limits for agricultural use Most stringent: Nova Scotia Guidelines Europe Cd Cr Cu Hg Ni Pb Zn As Mo Co Se Directive 86/278/EEC ,000-1, ,500-4,000 Austria ,500-2, Belgium (Flanders) Belgium (Walloon) ,000 Bulgaria ,000 Czech republic , Denmark , , Finland ,500 France , ,000 Germany ,500 Greece ,000-1, ,500-4,000 Hungary 10 1,000-1(Cr VI) 1, , Italy 20 1, ,500 Netherlands Poland ,500 Portugal 20 1,000 1, ,500 Romania ,000 Slovenia Spain ,000-1,750 1,000-1, ,500-4,000 Sweden United States 503 Rule Ceiling concentration 85-4, , Exceptional quality (EQ) 39-1, , NS Guideline Cat. A CFIA Max Conc ns Halifax Water NVSA Courtesy: Giuseppe Mininni and Steve Dentel

12 Nova Scotia Biosolids Standards Contaminant NS Guideline Category A Concentration (mg/kg dry wt) CFIA Maximum Conc ns for Fertilizers and Supplements Halifax Water NVSA Arsenic Cadmium Chromium Cobalt Copper Lead Mercury Molybdenum Nickel Selenium Zinc

13 Halifax Biosolids Testing Results Compound Nova Scotia Guideline Category A Halifax Water NVSA Levels 1 Fecal coliform (cfu/g) <1000 <10 Salmonella (cfu/g) <3 Neg. to <3 Viable Helminth ova (# per 4 g) <1 <1 Total Culturable Enteric Virus (# per 4g) <1 <1 PCB (mg/kg) 0.8 <0.5 Dioxin/Furan (ng TEQ/kg) Note 1. 3-year average 13

14 Peer Review of Halifax s Biosolids Program Review literature on biosolids processing including environmental benefits/impacts and health implications; review relevant scientific publications with annotated bibliography; Analyze N-Viro process and product (NVSA) in comparison with other available options; Produce compendium of Best Management Practices regarding biosolids use; Review of biosolids regulations from other jurisdictions with NS Guidelines for Land Application of Biosolids; address questions from HRM Council and noted websites and reports; provide conclusions and recommendations on use of N-Viro and other potential products 14

15 Peer Review Conclusions 11 conclusions and 9 recommendations. Reaffirmed that there is negative public perception about the use of biosolids and Halifax s biosolids program was suitable in meeting all regulatory requirements. Recommendations included improvement in public education efforts and promotion of Best Management Practices in management of biosolids. Regulatory conclusion that The detailed review herein indicates that the Guidelines for Land Application and Storage of Municipal Biosolids in Nova Scotia (revised March 2010) are among the most conservative of the Canadian and International regulations/guidelines pdf 15

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17 Challenges Challenge to find customers/users Essentially a public outreach and education challenge Negative publicity by celebrities Crapshoot: The Gamble with our Wastes; National Film Board of Canada Sludge Diet (52 Minutes) ewlink&link_id=311&itemid=36 The inherent ick factor 17

18 HALIFAX BIOSOLIDS PROCESSING FACILITY

19 BACKGROUND Commenced operations in early 2007 Alkaline stabilization process 42,000 T per year (10,500 DT per year) Producing in excess of 30,000 T per year of fertilizer Final Product (Halifax N-Rich ) is a soil amendment compliant with the CFIA Fertilizers Act

20 Product Flow Material Receipt Specialized Trailers 5-7 loads per day T per load

21 Biosolids Movement Live Bottom Bins - 5 independently controlled augers Serpentix Conveyor to mixer

22 PRODUCT Product BLENDING Blending Biosolids, quick lime and Cement kiln dust are mixed Production Target (at mixer discharge) ph = % solids

23 Dryer Natural gas fired rotary kiln Production Target (at dryer discharge) 55% solids

24 Product Quality Lab testing ph % solids Temperature Quarterly composite samples sent to accredited lab for full regulatory and agronomic analysis Screening Removes foreign material Ensures consistent final product

25 Biofilter All of the process and building air is exhausted through a natural media biofilter Entrained dust is removed with a baghouse Excess water when produced is treated at WWTP.

26 Product Shipments exceed 30,000T/year Macro/micro nutrients and liming agent Used for corn, soybeans and grains Demand increasing; farmers seeing great results Strategies Just on time delivery Immediate Incorporation

27 Questions or Comments? Susheel Arora, M.A.Sc., P.Eng. Director, Wastewater and Stormwater Services Halifax Water Tom Harz, P.Ag. Plant Manager, Walker Environmental 27