Two-Stage Greenhouse Thermal Floors for Class A Biosolids
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Solution Overview
Problem
Wastewater treatment plants face high disposal costs due to the water content in biosolids, and there is a need for methods and apparatus to further reduce water content and meet Class A biosolids standards for alternative uses, such as soil amendment or fuel, while reducing environmental impact.
Innovation Solution
A two-stage thermal processing method and apparatus using greenhouses with thermal floors heated by a working fluid, where biosolids are processed in a first stage to meet Class B standards and in a second stage to meet Class A standards, utilizing solar energy and controlled heating to achieve desired moisture and microbial reduction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If mechanical dewatering processes are used to produce biosolids, then biosolids can be obtained with total solids in a range of 15% to 25%, but the majority of the biosolids weight is due to water which adds significantly to the cost of disposal
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary thermal treatment to biosolids before final disposal or land application. The thermal processing system pre-treats biosolids by heating them to elevated temperatures (e.g., 50-100°C or higher) in controlled chambers, which begins the water removal and pathogen reduction processes before the biosolids leave the treatment facility. This preliminary action reduces the water content and microbial load, thereby reducing subsequent disposal costs and improving the quality of land-applied biosolids.
2Adaptability or versatility
If biosolids are treated to Class A standard to enable soil amendment use and generate revenue, then a greater level of treatment is required to reduce microbial population, but this increases processing time and energy consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs parameter changes in the thermal processing system to achieve Class A biosolids standards. By controlling and adjusting parameters such as temperature (heating to 50-100°C or higher), residence time, and moisture content, the system effectively reduces microbial populations to meet Class A requirements. The thermal processing parameters are optimized to balance treatment effectiveness with processing efficiency, enabling the production of high-quality biosolids suitable for soil amendment while managing treatment time and energy consumption.
3Reliability
If biosolids are treated to Class A standard with higher temperature and longer detention time, then microbial population is reduced, but the processing cost and energy consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial or excessive thermal action to biosolids by heating them to temperatures and for residence times that exceed the minimum requirements for microbial reduction. The thermal processing system operates at temperatures of 50-100°C or higher with detention times sufficient to achieve Class A standards, ensuring reliable microbial population reduction. This approach prioritizes achieving the desired reliability of pathogen destruction, with the understanding that the energy consumption is justified by the production of high-quality biosolids suitable for beneficial reuse.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The method effectively reduces water content and microbial populations, enabling biosolids to meet Class A standards, thereby reducing disposal costs and enabling alternative uses with enhanced economic value.
Implementation Method 1
the first thermal floor adapted to transfer heat to the biosolids from a working fluid communicated through the first thermal floor
Implementation Method 2
utilizing solar energy and controlled heating to achieve desired moisture and microbial reduction
Implementation Method 3
heating the biosolids to a first temperature T1 for first detention time D1 within the first greenhouse while transferring the biosolids
Data Source
AI summary
Methods of biosolids processing disclosed herein may be configured in a two-stage process. The methods include the step of distributing biosolids in an input state onto a first thermal floor disposed within a first greenhouse, the first thermal floor adapted to transfer heat to the biosolids from a working fluid communicated through the first thermal floor thereby transforming the biosolids from the input state into a first processed state at a first stage of the two-stage process. The method includes the step of distributing the biosolids in the first processed state onto a second thermal floor disposed within a second greenhouse and then heating the biosolids thereby transforming the biosolids from the first processed state into a second processed state at a second stage of the two-stage process by heating the biosolids. Apparatus that functions to implement the methods are also disclosed.