Smoot, Sebastian

Sebastian is a process engineer at HDR with over ten years of experience in the wastewater industry, with a focus on nutrient removal and biosolids. He loves his home state of Maryland and spreads Old Bay seasoning on his avocado toast. His cutting-edge work has been presented at WEFTEC for nine of the past ten years. He frequently reminds friends, neighbors, and complete strangers that flushable wipes are not really flushable and encourages all of you to do the same. He obtained a Master of Engineering and Public Policy from the University of Maryland.

Titles from this speaker

Description: A Tale of Two Pilots: Comparing a WAS-only Thermal Hydrolysis Process to...

A Tale of Two Pilots: Comparing a WAS-only Thermal Hydrolysis Process to Conventional THP

Abstract

WAS-only thermal hydrolysis (TH) has been implemented in at least six facilities throughout the world—none to date in North America. There have been some recent publications regarding the benefits and installation experience of WAS-only TH, and the process can be easily approximated using a theoretical mass balance. However, the authors are unaware of any empirical study that compared a WAS-only TH process side-by-side with a conventional* TH process using the same feed solids. WAS-only TH is one of the short-listed alternatives for the ongoing Comprehensive Biosolids Plan for Baltimore City, Maryland. In response to the aforementioned observed gap in research, the authors conducted a pilot study with the purpose of quantifying differences in digester performance, such as biogas production and volatile solids reduction (VSR), as well as the characteristics of the digested solids, such as dewaterability, odor, energy content (an important criteria for beneficial use as an alternative fuel), and recalcitrant dissolved organic nitrogen (rDON).

SpeakerSmoot, Sebastian

Presentation time

13:30:00

13:50:00

Session time

13:30:00

14:50:00

SessionImplementing Thermal Hydrolysis: Optimizing the Operations Around Advanced Digestion

Session number213

TopicBiosolids and Residuals, Research and Innovation

Author(s)

M. HigginsS. SpaldingS. SmootS. Beightol

Author(s)M. Higgins3; S. Spalding2; S. Smoot1; S. Beightol3;

Author affiliation(s)HDR, Fulton1; HDR, Virginia Beach2; Bucknell University3

SourceProceedings of the Water Environment Federation

Document typeConference Paper

PublisherWater Environment Federation

Print publication date Oct 2020

DOI10.2175/193864718825157799

Volume / Issue

Content sourceWEFTEC

Word count15

Description: Can THP Biosolids Be Composted? Why Even Consider It? Lessons from The First-ever...

Can THP Biosolids Be Composted? Why Even Consider It? Lessons from The First-ever Full-scale Pilot

Abstract

Thermal hydrolysis (TH) and aerobic composting are both established biosolids stabilization technologies with hundreds of installations worldwide. However, there are no facilities in the world that compost biosolids after thermal hydrolysis, based on the authors’ discussions with TH suppliers. This abstract presents the findings of the first known attempt to compost TH biosolids at full-scale and demonstrates that TH solids can be used to create a high-quality compost product. Additionally, the presentation will discuss under which circumstances a utility might consider composting solids after a TH process. Product samples will be available for inspection at the presentation.

SpeakerSmoot, Sebastian

Presentation time

16:30:00

16:45:00

Session time

16:00:00

17:00:00

SessionBiosolids End Use: Improvements and Lessons Learned

Session number319

TopicBiosolids and Residuals, Facility Operations and Maintenance

Author(s)

Sebastian Smoot

Author(s)S.E. Smoot1; J. Myers2; T. Fantom3; M. Gallagher4;

Author affiliation(s)HDR, Fulton, MD1Phoenix Consulting, Inc, Westminster, MD2Veolia Water North America, Baltimore, MD3City of Baltimore Department of Public Works(Retired), Baltimore, MD4

SourceProceedings of the Water Environment Federation

Document typeConference Paper

PublisherWater Environment Federation

Print publication date Oct 2021

DOI10.2175/193864718825158068

Volume / Issue

Content sourceWEFTEC

Word count16