Exploring The Hidden Treasure Of Bioresources: A Shifting Paradigm In Biosolids Management Strategy

Wastewater (liquid/biosolids) is evolving at varying degrees globally, from being a waste to be disposed through to an opportunity to exploit the inherent value contained within. The solution and its implementation will vary from each region as they all have their own environment, drivers, risks, stakeholders, markets, constraints, opportunities, and ambitions. Atkins are currently engaged in the development of several Biosolids Strategies globally and recognize the opportunity to drive circularity, implement zero-waste and zero-carbon strategies from leveraging the potential to develop 'Bioresources-Products' from wastewater. We envisage a revolution from the current 'wastewater treatment works' to the realization of the 'biorefinery' where wastewater are used as feedstocks to produce green products.
The objective of this paper is to discuss two examples of key strategic biosolids management projects, carried out for clients in different environments, where bioresource recovery/production is a key tenet of their biosolids strategy.
Study 1: Thames Water Utilities Limited (TWUL) Bioresources Recovery Evaluation TWUL, the UK's largest water and wastewater services company, commissioned Atkins to carry out a Bioresources review to support them in defining their future Bioresources business model. An initial eighteen prospective bioresources were evaluated, ranging from well-known products like ammonia and biomethane to products derived from more novel processes like enzymes and bioethanol. For each bioresource, key areas of interest were assessed: - Technical requirements were evaluated to understand the potential processes and associated complexity in comparison with current standard water industry operations. A review of technical readiness levels was also carried out for each bioresource – with particular focus on suitability for deployment in the water industry. - Compatibility of the bioresource recovery process required with standard wastewater treatment infrastructure. - Potential – each bioresource was assessed and prioritized to define those with high value potential, i.e., scale of production and range of revenue potential - Market maturity – The UK market readiness and maturity was assessed for each bioresource. A comprehensive study was developed to discuss bioresources in depth. Figure 1 provides an extract of the final summary table which details the key findings and recommendations to TWUL. A bioresource compatibility assessment was also carried out to better understand the relationships between products. There are many possible products that can be extracted/synthesized from wastewater. However, based on the locations of the recovery technology within the process flow trains and its upstream/downstream implications, recovery of one product may have detrimental or potentially beneficial impact on the recovery of another. Figure 2 provides an outline of the bioresource compatibility assessment. The bioresources study provides a snapshot of technological and market maturity of bioresource recovery from municipal wastewater and biosolids. The results highlighted several key bioresources that have immediate benefit cases. For example, CO2 recovery from flue gas and biogas upgrading is of particular interest in the UK due to recent shortages. The next phase of the process will consider the likely Biorefinery for their environment, in the immediate and longer term and the next stage of potential bioresources.
Study 2: NEOM Biosolids Strategy for New Greenfield City NEOM is a bold and audacious project in the northwest of Saudi Arabia (Figure 3). It is a semi-autonomous region built around helping to solve some of the challenges facing the world today in the face of unchecked urban development and climate change. NEOM will be a destination and a home for people who want to be part of building a new model of sustainable ecosystems at a time when the world needs fresh thinking and new solutions. A major component of a region's circular economy is the requirement to manage biosolids in a sustainable and useful manner. NEOM aspires to be a world leader in global biosolids management and wastewater resource recovery. NEOM provided Atkins with a unique 'once in a lifetime' opportunity to influence Biosolids strategies in the region and globally. Starting with a blank slate, together we have opened our minds, pushed the boundaries, and embraced the 'art of the possible'.
Atkins' Strategic Master Planning approach provided NEOM with a clear understanding of their 'drivers for change' (Figure 4) and the 'ideal state Biosolids strategy' for their environment. It has challenged their ambition, defined critical success factors, and embraced global best practice. The project aim was to provide a robust, dynamic and industry leading Biosolids strategy to pave a roadmap for effective Biosolids management over the next decade. To gain a better knowledge of NEOM's unique environment, several studies and technical papers were developed: - Biosolids based fertilizer to land study– Understanding the potential agricultural, desert greening, and landscaping land banks for biosolids application was critical to determining viable strategic directions. Land bank assessment model was utilized to assess available land bank and to stress test future state scenarios - Biosolids energy potential and demand- A review of energy vectors from typical biogas CHP to novel processes such as syngas and green hydrogen was carried out. - Co-digestion Study– Biosolids and other organic wastes co-treatment/co-digestion potential was assessed. As NEOM is a blank slate, there is large potential to collaborate with other sectors to create mutually beneficial arrangements. - Biosolids product standards– International review of biosolids regulations and practises was undertaken to provide NEOM with a basis for their own regulatory framework. - Biosolids and resource recovery global technology review, and innovation hub development– To determine potential strategic directions and transformational delivery two comprehensive reviews of technologies one for biosolids treatment (over 50 processes) and a second for resource recovery technologies were undertaken. Atkins tried and trusted industry leading Bioresources Strategic Master Planning approach was deployed to develop NEOM's immediate and future strategic plans (Figure 5). NEOM Bioresources Production Strategy - The optimal Biosolids strategy is focused upon bioresource production, maximizing the potential for resource extraction from biosolids. A comprehensive 10-year roadmap, featuring defined deployment interventions for processes, systems and people gives NEOM an all-encompassing direction. The roadmap provides immediate tactical and strategic interventions and is supported by adaptive pathways strategy deployment plan, marked by key decision points and strategic KPIs to determine when and if the strategy needs to adapt, to provide a least regrets strategy deployment. With NEOM's Biosolids strategy defined, they are now at the beginning of their exciting journey of implementing their innovative and world leading Bioresources management plan. NEOM's culture of innovation, sustainability, and environmental guardianship with regards to Biosolids management will act as a template for global water utilities to take inspiration from.
Summary: It is hoped that this work will help the global water industry realize and capture the value in their 'waste' and no longer see Biosolids as a problem to solve but rather an opportunity to exploit.