Full-Scale Retrofit of a Mesophilic to a Thermophilic Anaerobic System to Produce Class A Biosolids using Flow-Through Technology – The CBFT3 Process

Columbus Water Works (CWW), located in Columbus, Georgia, is developing an innovative process to produce Class A biosolids. The Columbus Biosolids Flow-Through Thermophilic Treatment (CBFT3) process consists of first-of-its-kind technology in developing a Process to Further Reduce Pathogens (PFRP). Previous work(i) focused on research and development of the thermophilic digestion process as well as the design, construction, and testing of a full-scale prototype plug-flow reactor unique to the CBFT3 process.This paper presents the detailed design elements specific to full-scale retrofit of the existing mesophilic anaerobic digestion system at the South Columbus Water Resources Facility (SCWRF) to a flow-through thermophilic treatment system – the CBFT3 process. The SCWRF is seeking Site-Specific Equivalency as a PFRP system producing Class A biosolids under the 40 CFR Part 503 regulations.