Abu-Orf, Mohammad

Presented at WEFTEC 2023.

Titles from this speaker

Description: A New Biosolids Management Trend is Emerging: Biochar Producing Technologies are...

A New Biosolids Management Trend is Emerging: Biochar Producing Technologies are Rising to the Top, Wonder Why?

Abstract

The mounting pressure on land application of biosolids coupled with rising costs of processing, hauling and beneficial use is becoming a burden on utilities. The presence of PFAS and potential regulations for practicing land application require considering emerging technologies with PFAS reduction capabilities. Pyrolysis and gasification are emerging technologies that are gaining interest for biosolids management and in most cases, they are the top alternatives for consideration. This trend is mainly due to significant reduction in mass and volume, thus significant reduction in beneficial use costs making the overall economics favorable when compared to conventional technologies. Pyrolysis and gasification produce biochar that has no detectable PFAS, protecting utilities from any future regulation for biosolids land application. Finally, biochar is considered a carbon sink due to carbon sequestration, thus reducing overall greenhouse gas emissions. This paper presents the results from various evaluations for different utility sizes and geography.

This paper presents results from various biosolids management studies for facilities with different sizes and geography. Emerging technologies that convert biosolids to biochar, such as gasification or pyrolysis, are rising to the top, mainly due to reducing overall cost, ability to beneficially use biochar with non-detect PFAS and finally greenhouse gas emission reduction.

SpeakerAbu-Orf, Mohammad

Presentation time

14:00:00

14:25:00

Session time

13:30:00

15:00:00

SessionUnderstanding and Addressing PFAS in Biosolids

Session locationRoom N426b - Level 4

TopicMunicipal Wastewater Treatment Design, PFAS

Author(s)

Abu-Orf, Mohammed

Author(s)M. Abu-Orf 1; M. Blate 1 ; D. Dursun 2; P. Knowles 3; M. Abu-Orf 1;

Author affiliation(s)Hazen and Sawyer, New York, NY 1; Hazen and Sawyer, New York, NY 1 ; Hazen and Sawyer, New York, NY 2; Hazen and Sawyer, New York, NY 3; Hazen and Sawyer, New York, NY 1;

SourceProceedings of the Water Environment Federation

Document typeConference Paper

PublisherWater Environment Federation

Print publication date Oct 2023

DOI10.2175/193864718825159012

Volume / Issue

Content sourceWEFTEC

Word count18

Cost of Removing PFAS from WRRF Effluent and Biosolids

Abstract

This study developed capital and operation and maintenance (O&M) cost estimates and curves to remove and destroy per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) from municipal water resource recovery facility (WRRF) effluent and biosolids. Class 5 cost estimates (-30%/+50%) for the assumed design bases were estimated based on vendor quotes and standard design practices for combinations of technologies pre-screened to be both commercially applied and effective at PFAS separation and/or destruction. Three treatment alternatives were developed for 0.1 to 10 MGD of tertiary treated WRRF effluent and two treatment alternatives were developed for 1.0 to 10 dry tons per day (dtpd) of dewatered WRRF biosolids. Estimated costs for a 10 MGD facility producing 10 dptd biosolids are approximately $79 to $250 million in capital costs and $50 to $20 million in annual operating costs, including consideration of all alternatives developed. Cost per mass of targeted PFAS removed (7 compounds for WRRF effluent and 9 compounds for WRRF biosolids) ranged from $370,000 per pound of PFAS removed from a 50 dptd WRRF biosolids treatment facility to $8 million per pound of PFAS removed from a 0.1 MGD WRRF effluent treatment facility. These costs do not include any retrofits needed to add tertiary treatment upstream of PFAS separation processes for WRRF effluent or to achieve 15%-25% solids content prior to PFAS destruction processes for WRRF biosolids.

This study developed capital and O&M cost estimates to remove and destroy per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) from municipal water resource recovery facility (WRRF) tertiary effluent and dewatered biosolids. Estimated costs for a 10 MGD/10 dtpd facility are approximately $79 to $250 million in capital costs and $50 to $20 million in annual operating costs. 20-year costs per mass of PFAS removed ranged from $370,000 per pound to $8 million per pound of PFAS removed.

SpeakerLing, Alison

Presentation time

16:30:00

17:00:00

Session time

15:30:00

17:00:00

SessionPFAS Impacted WRFs: Knowledge Update

Session locationRoom S401d - Level 4

TopicDisinfection and Public Health, Intermediate Level, PFAS, Research and Innovation, Utility Management and Leadership

Author(s)

Ling, Alison

Author(s)A. Ling 1; B. Vermace 2 ; A. McCabe 3; K. Wolohan 4; D. Dursun 5; M. Blate 6; M. Abu-Orf 6; S. Kyser 7; A. Ling 1;

Author affiliation(s)Department of Civil Engineering, University of St. Thomas 1; Barr Engineering Company 2 ; Barr Engineering Company 3; Barr Engineering Company 4; Hazen and Sawyer 5; Hazen and Sawyer 6; Hazen and Sawyer 6; Minnesota Pollution Control Agency 7; Department of Civil Engineering, University of St. Thomas 1;