Developing a Large-scale CAMBI Biosolids Marketing and Distribution Program

DC Water & Sewer Authority (DC Water) is now operating the first CAMBI thermal hydrolysis biosolids treatment facility in the US; it is also the largest CAMBI facility in the world. The facility is producing a Class A, thermophilically treated biosolids cake with unique physical properties. The product is easier to handle and blend, than many other biosolids cakes, and it is low in odor. At full capacity, the DC facility will generate approximately 450 wet tons per day of CAMBI treated biosolids.The long-term (10 year) goal of DC Water is to take its current biosolids distribution program, where it pays all associated costs for distribution and application, and turn it into a program which is ‘cost neutral’. The primary long-term uses for the CAMBI treated biosolids, now branded as “Bloom”, is planned to be as an ingredient in blended soils used in landscaping, turf and environmental applications, and after further stabilization (aging/curing), as a soil amendment used in similar applications.Knowing that it would generate such a large volume of biosolids, DC Water invested into extensive planning and market/product research efforts. To start off the product development efforts, once a uniform dewatered biosolids cake began being produced, DC Water started an extensive laboratory testing program on the ‘fresh’ dewatered biosolids. Interestingly, the fresh Bloom product had some similar characteristics to well established biosolids composts produced from their region (see Table 1). However, it possessed a much higher respiration rate, which relates to a lack of stability of the carbon within the product. With this in mind, stronger consideration was given to marketing an unblended Bloom product as a soil amendment. This strategy could also be implemented faster and with less financial risk than marketing the product through an internal blending program alone.With this in mind, a well-managed pilot project was initiated which pragmatically monitored Bloom characteristics over time. 50 to 100 ton windrows were established and both aging and turning was done; with piles placed under cover (open walled building) and out of doors. Data from the approximately 2-month long field trials are outlined in Table 2. The research found that the ammonia-N, moisture content, pH, electrical conductivity levels all reduced over time, along with the product’s respiration rate. It is assumed that the reduction in pH and electrical conductivity is related to the drop in ammonia-N. Further, in the 2 to 3 week growth trials, seed emergence (germination) was excellent in fresh and aged Bloom, while seedling vigor (healthy growth) improved with the age of the material. The related results (Table 2) illustrate that improvements in physical, chemical and biological characteristics take place in the product over time. From this trial, it cannot be stated that aging the product under cover was any better than aging it out of doors. However, this could certainly be the case in high precipitation and under other conditions.The product improvements were shown to be linear in nature. This could hopefully mean that if a well-run aging / curing operation is developed, then improvements in product quality could be predictable and optimal process techniques could be established.Other related activities include:Product Development Research / Activities (using both university and private entities)Creating a variety of potential soil products and growing media (completed 2015–2016),Including the development of a trial sized on-site soil blending plant (currently under construction), andCompleting an initial and now on-going CAMBI biosolids stabilization trials.Market Research and DevelopmentIdentified opportunity to market the ‘stand-alone‘ BLOOM product as a soil amendment, with easier access into the marketplace,Currently identifying end users and marketing both ‘fresh‘ and ‘cured‘ BLOOM. Activities and strategies within these overall tasks are extensive and will be discussed. They include:Market Research and Development– Gathering regional data regarding popular soil products produced and marketed in the MD/DC/VA marketplace,º Including the identification of large soil blenders and soil amendment suppliers, and pricing data– Completing end user demographic research, and– Beginning marketing activities (will provide update).