{"id":76445,"date":"2011-01-11T17:49:34","date_gmt":"2011-01-11T17:49:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/zonda-develop.go-vip.net\/concrete-construction\/article\/self-sustaining-biosolids-drying_o"},"modified":"2011-01-11T17:49:34","modified_gmt":"2011-01-11T17:49:34","slug":"self-sustaining-biosolids-drying_o","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/zonda-develop.go-vip.net\/concrete-construction\/projects\/infrastructure\/self-sustaining-biosolids-drying_o\/","title":{"rendered":"Self-sustaining biosolids drying"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n<div class=\"image-carousel\"\n\trole=\"region\"\n\taria-roledescription=\"carousel\"\n\taria-label=\"Image carousel\"\n\tdata-total-slides=\"4\"\n\t>\n\n\t<div class=\"image-carousel-top\">\n\t\t\n\t\t<div class=\"carousel-counter\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"current-index\">1<\/span>\n\t\t\tof\t\t\t<span class=\"total-count\">4<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\n\t<div class=\"image-carousel__hero-wrapper\">\n\t\t<button class=\"carousel-prev\"\n\t\t\t\taria-label=\"Previous slide\"\n\t\t\t\ttype=\"button\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"icon\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/span>\n\t\t<\/button>\n\n\t\t<div class=\"carousel-main\" aria-live=\"polite\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"carousel-slide active\"\n\t\t\t\t\tid=\"carousel-slide-0\"\n\t\t\t\t\trole=\"tabpanel\"\n\t\t\t\t\taria-roledescription=\"slide\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\taria-label=\"Slide 1 of 4\"\n\t\t\t\t\taria-hidden=\"false\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<!-- Load the first image immediately at full size -->\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<img\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tsrc=\"https:\/\/zonda-develop.go-vip.net\/concrete-construction\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2025\/06\/tmp1183-2etmp-tcm111-1352403.jpg?w=150\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tsrcset=\"https:\/\/zonda-develop.go-vip.net\/concrete-construction\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2025\/06\/tmp1183-2etmp-tcm111-1352403.jpg 150w, https:\/\/zonda-develop.go-vip.net\/concrete-construction\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2025\/06\/tmp1183-2etmp-tcm111-1352403.jpg?resize=146,177 146w, https:\/\/zonda-develop.go-vip.net\/concrete-construction\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2025\/06\/tmp1183-2etmp-tcm111-1352403.jpg?resize=94,114 94w, https:\/\/zonda-develop.go-vip.net\/concrete-construction\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2025\/06\/tmp1183-2etmp-tcm111-1352403.jpg?resize=108,131 108w\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tsizes=\"(max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\talt=\"The Class AA product is a source of organic material and nitrogen that is sold in bulk to central Florida&#039;s fertilizer industry. The pellets can also be sold as fuel for biomass incinerators. Photos: West Palm Beach Solid Waste Authority\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tdata-caption=\"The Class AA product is a source of organic material and nitrogen that is sold in bulk to central Florida&#039;s fertilizer industry. The pellets can also be sold as fuel for biomass incinerators. Photos: West Palm Beach Solid Waste Authority\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"carousel-slide hidden\"\n\t\t\t\t\tid=\"carousel-slide-1\"\n\t\t\t\t\trole=\"tabpanel\"\n\t\t\t\t\taria-roledescription=\"slide\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\taria-label=\"Slide 2 of 4\"\n\t\t\t\t\taria-hidden=\"true\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<!-- Lazy load other main images with data-src to be loaded only when needed -->\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<img\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tsrc=\"https:\/\/zonda-develop.go-vip.net\/concrete-construction\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2025\/06\/tmp1184-2etmp-tcm111-1352406.jpg?w=300\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tsrcset=\"https:\/\/zonda-develop.go-vip.net\/concrete-construction\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2025\/06\/tmp1184-2etmp-tcm111-1352406.jpg 300w, https:\/\/zonda-develop.go-vip.net\/concrete-construction\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2025\/06\/tmp1184-2etmp-tcm111-1352406.jpg?resize=287,177 287w, https:\/\/zonda-develop.go-vip.net\/concrete-construction\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2025\/06\/tmp1184-2etmp-tcm111-1352406.jpg?resize=185,114 185w, https:\/\/zonda-develop.go-vip.net\/concrete-construction\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2025\/06\/tmp1184-2etmp-tcm111-1352406.jpg?resize=212,131 212w\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tsizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\talt=\"Capable of turning 600 wet tons of sludge into 60 tons of marketable fertilizer every day, Palm Beach County&#039;s Resource Recovery Facility is processing 400 wet tons daily. Solid waste and wastewater treatment managers plan to add another 900 scfm by capturing gas from a second landfill.\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tclass=\"lazy-load-image\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tloading=\"lazy\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tdata-caption=\"Capable of turning 600 wet tons of sludge into 60 tons of marketable fertilizer every day, Palm Beach County&#039;s Resource Recovery Facility is processing 400 wet tons daily. Solid waste and wastewater treatment managers plan to add another 900 scfm by capturing gas from a second landfill.\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"carousel-slide hidden\"\n\t\t\t\t\tid=\"carousel-slide-2\"\n\t\t\t\t\trole=\"tabpanel\"\n\t\t\t\t\taria-roledescription=\"slide\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\taria-label=\"Slide 3 of 4\"\n\t\t\t\t\taria-hidden=\"true\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<!-- Lazy load other main images with data-src to be loaded only when needed -->\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<img\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tsrc=\"https:\/\/zonda-develop.go-vip.net\/concrete-construction\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2025\/06\/tmp1185-2etmp-tcm111-1352409.jpg?w=300\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tsrcset=\"https:\/\/zonda-develop.go-vip.net\/concrete-construction\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2025\/06\/tmp1185-2etmp-tcm111-1352409.jpg 300w, https:\/\/zonda-develop.go-vip.net\/concrete-construction\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2025\/06\/tmp1185-2etmp-tcm111-1352409.jpg?resize=253,177 253w, https:\/\/zonda-develop.go-vip.net\/concrete-construction\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2025\/06\/tmp1185-2etmp-tcm111-1352409.jpg?resize=163,114 163w, https:\/\/zonda-develop.go-vip.net\/concrete-construction\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2025\/06\/tmp1185-2etmp-tcm111-1352409.jpg?resize=187,131 187w\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tsizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\talt=\"Palm Beach County&#039;s North County Resource Recovery Facility is centrally located, lowering the hauling costs and vehicle emissions between five wastewater treatment plants and the landfill, which owned enough land to house a biosolids drying and pelletizing facility.\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tclass=\"lazy-load-image\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tloading=\"lazy\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tdata-caption=\"Palm Beach County&#039;s North County Resource Recovery Facility is centrally located, lowering the hauling costs and vehicle emissions between five wastewater treatment plants and the landfill, which owned enough land to house a biosolids drying and pelletizing facility.\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"carousel-slide hidden\"\n\t\t\t\t\tid=\"carousel-slide-3\"\n\t\t\t\t\trole=\"tabpanel\"\n\t\t\t\t\taria-roledescription=\"slide\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\taria-label=\"Slide 4 of 4\"\n\t\t\t\t\taria-hidden=\"true\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<!-- Lazy load other main images with data-src to be loaded only when needed -->\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<img\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tsrc=\"https:\/\/zonda-develop.go-vip.net\/concrete-construction\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2025\/06\/tmp1186-2etmp-tcm111-1352413.jpg?w=300\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tsrcset=\"https:\/\/zonda-develop.go-vip.net\/concrete-construction\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2025\/06\/tmp1186-2etmp-tcm111-1352413.jpg 300w, https:\/\/zonda-develop.go-vip.net\/concrete-construction\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2025\/06\/tmp1186-2etmp-tcm111-1352413.jpg?resize=241,177 241w, https:\/\/zonda-develop.go-vip.net\/concrete-construction\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2025\/06\/tmp1186-2etmp-tcm111-1352413.jpg?resize=155,114 155w, https:\/\/zonda-develop.go-vip.net\/concrete-construction\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2025\/06\/tmp1186-2etmp-tcm111-1352413.jpg?resize=179,131 179w\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tsizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\talt=\"The compression system runs 24 hours a day, six days per week, recirculating gas to a continuous pilot that automatically switches back to flaring when the pelletization facility isn&#039;t operating.\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tclass=\"lazy-load-image\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tloading=\"lazy\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tdata-caption=\"The compression system runs 24 hours a day, six days per week, recirculating gas to a continuous pilot that automatically switches back to flaring when the pelletization facility isn&#039;t operating.\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t<button class=\"carousel-next\"\n\t\t\t\taria-label=\"Next slide\"\n\t\t\t\ttype=\"button\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"icon\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/span>\n\t\t<\/button>\n\t<\/div>\n\n\t<div class=\"carousel-captions-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"carousel-caption active\"\n\t\t\t\t\tid=\"carousel-caption-0\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"carousel-caption__inner\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"image-caption\" data-full-caption=\"The Class AA product is a source of organic material and nitrogen that is sold in bulk to central Florida&#039;s fertilizer industry. The pellets can also be sold as fuel for biomass incinerators. Photos: West Palm Beach Solid Waste Authority\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"caption-preview\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tThe Class AA product is a source of organic material and nitroge&#8230;\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<button type=\"button\" class=\"read-more-toggle\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\taria-expanded=\"false\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\taria-controls=\"caption-full-0\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tRead More\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/button>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span id=\"caption-full-0\" class=\"full-caption hidden\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tThe Class AA product is a source of organic material and nitrogen that is sold in bulk to central Florida&#039;s fertilizer industry. The pellets can also be sold as fuel for biomass incinerators. Photos: West Palm Beach Solid Waste Authority\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"carousel-caption hidden\"\n\t\t\t\t\tid=\"carousel-caption-1\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"carousel-caption__inner\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"image-caption\" data-full-caption=\"Capable of turning 600 wet tons of sludge into 60 tons of marketable fertilizer every day, Palm Beach County&#039;s Resource Recovery Facility is processing 400 wet tons daily. Solid waste and wastewater treatment managers plan to add another 900 scfm by capturing gas from a second landfill.\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"caption-preview\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tCapable of turning 600 wet tons of sludge into 60 tons of market&#8230;\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<button type=\"button\" class=\"read-more-toggle\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\taria-expanded=\"false\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\taria-controls=\"caption-full-1\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tRead More\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/button>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span id=\"caption-full-1\" class=\"full-caption hidden\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tCapable of turning 600 wet tons of sludge into 60 tons of marketable fertilizer every day, Palm Beach County&#039;s Resource Recovery Facility is processing 400 wet tons daily. Solid waste and wastewater treatment managers plan to add another 900 scfm by capturing gas from a second landfill.\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"carousel-caption hidden\"\n\t\t\t\t\tid=\"carousel-caption-2\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"carousel-caption__inner\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"image-caption\" data-full-caption=\"Palm Beach County&#039;s North County Resource Recovery Facility is centrally located, lowering the hauling costs and vehicle emissions between five wastewater treatment plants and the landfill, which owned enough land to house a biosolids drying and pelletizing facility.\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"caption-preview\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tPalm Beach County&#039;s North County Resource Recovery Facility is c&#8230;\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<button type=\"button\" class=\"read-more-toggle\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\taria-expanded=\"false\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\taria-controls=\"caption-full-2\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tRead More\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/button>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span id=\"caption-full-2\" class=\"full-caption hidden\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tPalm Beach County&#039;s North County Resource Recovery Facility is centrally located, lowering the hauling costs and vehicle emissions between five wastewater treatment plants and the landfill, which owned enough land to house a biosolids drying and pelletizing facility.\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"carousel-caption hidden\"\n\t\t\t\t\tid=\"carousel-caption-3\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"carousel-caption__inner\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"image-caption\" data-full-caption=\"The compression system runs 24 hours a day, six days per week, recirculating gas to a continuous pilot that automatically switches back to flaring when the pelletization facility isn&#039;t operating.\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"caption-preview\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tThe compression system runs 24 hours a day, six days per week, r&#8230;\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<button type=\"button\" class=\"read-more-toggle\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\taria-expanded=\"false\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\taria-controls=\"caption-full-3\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tRead More\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/button>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span id=\"caption-full-3\" class=\"full-caption hidden\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tThe compression system runs 24 hours a day, six days per week, recirculating gas to a continuous pilot that automatically switches back to flaring when the pelletization facility isn&#039;t operating.\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t<div class=\"carousel-thumbnails-wrapper\" role=\"tablist\" aria-label=\"Thumbnail navigation\">\n\t\t<div class=\"carousel-thumbnails\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<button class=\"thumbnail-wrapper active\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\tdata-index=\"0\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\taria-label=\"Go to slide 1\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\taria-controls=\"carousel-slide-1\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\taria-selected=\"true\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\ttype=\"button\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\trole=\"tab\"\n\t\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zonda-develop.go-vip.net\/concrete-construction\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2025\/06\/tmp1183-2etmp-tcm111-1352403.jpg?w=150&#038;h=150&#038;crop=1\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\taria-hidden=\"true\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\talt=\"\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\tclass=\"thumbnail\">\n\t\t\t\t<\/button>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<button class=\"thumbnail-wrapper \"\n\t\t\t\t\t\tdata-index=\"1\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\taria-label=\"Go to slide 2\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\taria-controls=\"carousel-slide-2\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\taria-selected=\"false\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\ttype=\"button\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\trole=\"tab\"\n\t\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zonda-develop.go-vip.net\/concrete-construction\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2025\/06\/tmp1184-2etmp-tcm111-1352406.jpg?w=150&#038;h=150&#038;crop=1\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\taria-hidden=\"true\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\talt=\"\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\tclass=\"thumbnail\">\n\t\t\t\t<\/button>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<button class=\"thumbnail-wrapper \"\n\t\t\t\t\t\tdata-index=\"2\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\taria-label=\"Go to slide 3\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\taria-controls=\"carousel-slide-3\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\taria-selected=\"false\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\ttype=\"button\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\trole=\"tab\"\n\t\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zonda-develop.go-vip.net\/concrete-construction\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2025\/06\/tmp1185-2etmp-tcm111-1352409.jpg?w=150&#038;h=150&#038;crop=1\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\taria-hidden=\"true\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\talt=\"\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\tclass=\"thumbnail\">\n\t\t\t\t<\/button>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<button class=\"thumbnail-wrapper \"\n\t\t\t\t\t\tdata-index=\"3\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\taria-label=\"Go to slide 4\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\taria-controls=\"carousel-slide-4\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\taria-selected=\"false\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\ttype=\"button\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\trole=\"tab\"\n\t\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zonda-develop.go-vip.net\/concrete-construction\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2025\/06\/tmp1186-2etmp-tcm111-1352413.jpg?w=150&#038;h=150&#038;crop=1\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\taria-hidden=\"true\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\talt=\"\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\tclass=\"thumbnail\">\n\t\t\t\t<\/button>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\n\t<\/div>\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\"> <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><b>By Victoria Ludwig<\/b><\/p><i><b>FEDERAL REGULATIONS FOR MANAGING BIOSOLIDS<\/b><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The EPA Office of Water&#8217;s Part 503 Biosolids Rule (40 CFR, Part 503) regulates the surface disposal of biosolids. The rule imposes numerical standards for 10 metals and operational standards for microbial organisms in biosolids.<\/p><\/i>  <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Although drying and selling biosolids isn&#8217;t new, using landfill gas to power dryers is. Since U.S. EPA&#8217;s Landfill Methane Outreach Program began keeping track in 1997, wastewater and solid waste managers in eight locations across the country have overcome logistical and regulatory barriers to build a mutually beneficial partnership.<\/p> <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In August 2010, Florida&#8217;s Palm Beach County celebrated its first anniversary as the latest addition to that list.<\/p> <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The county&#8217;s five wastewater utilities had been land-applying biosolids for two decades, but the practice was in decline because of negative public perception and regulator concern over nutrient runoff into the Lake Okeechobee, Everglades, and Indian River Lagoon water basins. The ground&#8217;s so saturated during South Florida&#8217;s rainy season that spreaders bog down in muddy fields.<\/p> <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Wastewater managers wanted a more environmentally sound, longer-term solution to biosolids disposal that complies with U.S. EPA Office of Water Part 503 limits on pollutants and pathogens. (See info box on page 47.) So they approached their cohort at the county&#8217;s solid waste authority about building a drying and pelletizing operation that would:<\/p> <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><b>Provide an alternative to land application.<\/b> As defined by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Class AA biosolids can be distributed and marketed like other commercial fertilizers.<\/p> <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><b>Repurpose an existing energy source.<\/b> Converting the methane at a landfill, specifically the 41-million-cubic-yard capacity Class I landfill at the county&#8217;s North County Resource Recovery Facility, rather than flaring it off would reduce dependence on natural gas, reducing operating costs and making the project more economically feasible. A site was available right next to the landfill, which would lower the cost of transporting the gas it generates to the pelletization facility.<\/p> <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><b>Generate an environmentally sound saleable product.<\/b> The partners would sell the pelletized biosolids to fertilizer manufacturers in central Florida, where they are used as an additive to provide nitrogen and organic matter primarily on pastureland.<\/p> <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Solid waste managers agreed such a facility would provide a long-term, environmentally sound solution without exacerbating water pollution. Engineering consulting firm CDM was hired to permit, design, and build the $25 million pelletization facility, helping to obtain more than $3.25 million in federal and state grants from EPA&#8217;s State and Tribal Grants program and the South Florida Water Management District.<\/p> <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Using historical data on gas quality and quantity, EPA&#8217;s free Excel-based Landfill Gas Emissions Model (Land-GEM) software, and their own observations, the managers decided the 1,500 standard cubic feet\/minute (scfm) of gas they were flaring would provide enough British thermal units (Btus) to power two 300 ton\/day Baker-Rullman Mfg. Inc. dryers.<\/p><\/div> <!--nextpage-->\n\n<div class=\"image-carousel\"\n\trole=\"region\"\n\taria-roledescription=\"carousel\"\n\taria-label=\"Image carousel\"\n\tdata-total-slides=\"4\"\n\t>\n\n\t<div class=\"image-carousel-top\">\n\t\t\n\t\t<div class=\"carousel-counter\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"current-index\">1<\/span>\n\t\t\tof\t\t\t<span class=\"total-count\">4<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\n\t<div class=\"image-carousel__hero-wrapper\">\n\t\t<button class=\"carousel-prev\"\n\t\t\t\taria-label=\"Previous slide\"\n\t\t\t\ttype=\"button\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"icon\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/span>\n\t\t<\/button>\n\n\t\t<div class=\"carousel-main\" aria-live=\"polite\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"carousel-slide active\"\n\t\t\t\t\tid=\"carousel-slide-0\"\n\t\t\t\t\trole=\"tabpanel\"\n\t\t\t\t\taria-roledescription=\"slide\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\taria-label=\"Slide 1 of 4\"\n\t\t\t\t\taria-hidden=\"false\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<!-- Load the first image immediately at full size -->\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<img\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tsrc=\"https:\/\/zonda-develop.go-vip.net\/concrete-construction\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2025\/06\/tmp1183-2etmp-tcm111-1352403.jpg?w=150\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tsrcset=\"https:\/\/zonda-develop.go-vip.net\/concrete-construction\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2025\/06\/tmp1183-2etmp-tcm111-1352403.jpg 150w, https:\/\/zonda-develop.go-vip.net\/concrete-construction\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2025\/06\/tmp1183-2etmp-tcm111-1352403.jpg?resize=146,177 146w, https:\/\/zonda-develop.go-vip.net\/concrete-construction\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2025\/06\/tmp1183-2etmp-tcm111-1352403.jpg?resize=94,114 94w, https:\/\/zonda-develop.go-vip.net\/concrete-construction\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2025\/06\/tmp1183-2etmp-tcm111-1352403.jpg?resize=108,131 108w\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tsizes=\"(max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\talt=\"The Class AA product is a source of organic material and nitrogen that is sold in bulk to central Florida&#039;s fertilizer industry. The pellets can also be sold as fuel for biomass incinerators. Photos: West Palm Beach Solid Waste Authority\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tdata-caption=\"The Class AA product is a source of organic material and nitrogen that is sold in bulk to central Florida&#039;s fertilizer industry. The pellets can also be sold as fuel for biomass incinerators. Photos: West Palm Beach Solid Waste Authority\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"carousel-slide hidden\"\n\t\t\t\t\tid=\"carousel-slide-1\"\n\t\t\t\t\trole=\"tabpanel\"\n\t\t\t\t\taria-roledescription=\"slide\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\taria-label=\"Slide 2 of 4\"\n\t\t\t\t\taria-hidden=\"true\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<!-- Lazy load other main images with data-src to be loaded only when needed -->\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<img\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tsrc=\"https:\/\/zonda-develop.go-vip.net\/concrete-construction\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2025\/06\/tmp1184-2etmp-tcm111-1352406.jpg?w=300\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tsrcset=\"https:\/\/zonda-develop.go-vip.net\/concrete-construction\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2025\/06\/tmp1184-2etmp-tcm111-1352406.jpg 300w, https:\/\/zonda-develop.go-vip.net\/concrete-construction\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2025\/06\/tmp1184-2etmp-tcm111-1352406.jpg?resize=287,177 287w, https:\/\/zonda-develop.go-vip.net\/concrete-construction\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2025\/06\/tmp1184-2etmp-tcm111-1352406.jpg?resize=185,114 185w, https:\/\/zonda-develop.go-vip.net\/concrete-construction\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2025\/06\/tmp1184-2etmp-tcm111-1352406.jpg?resize=212,131 212w\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tsizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\talt=\"Capable of turning 600 wet tons of sludge into 60 tons of marketable fertilizer every day, Palm Beach County&#039;s Resource Recovery Facility is processing 400 wet tons daily. Solid waste and wastewater treatment managers plan to add another 900 scfm by capturing gas from a second landfill.\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tclass=\"lazy-load-image\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tloading=\"lazy\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tdata-caption=\"Capable of turning 600 wet tons of sludge into 60 tons of marketable fertilizer every day, Palm Beach County&#039;s Resource Recovery Facility is processing 400 wet tons daily. Solid waste and wastewater treatment managers plan to add another 900 scfm by capturing gas from a second landfill.\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"carousel-slide hidden\"\n\t\t\t\t\tid=\"carousel-slide-2\"\n\t\t\t\t\trole=\"tabpanel\"\n\t\t\t\t\taria-roledescription=\"slide\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\taria-label=\"Slide 3 of 4\"\n\t\t\t\t\taria-hidden=\"true\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<!-- Lazy load other main images with data-src to be loaded only when needed -->\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<img\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tsrc=\"https:\/\/zonda-develop.go-vip.net\/concrete-construction\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2025\/06\/tmp1185-2etmp-tcm111-1352409.jpg?w=300\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tsrcset=\"https:\/\/zonda-develop.go-vip.net\/concrete-construction\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2025\/06\/tmp1185-2etmp-tcm111-1352409.jpg 300w, https:\/\/zonda-develop.go-vip.net\/concrete-construction\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2025\/06\/tmp1185-2etmp-tcm111-1352409.jpg?resize=253,177 253w, https:\/\/zonda-develop.go-vip.net\/concrete-construction\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2025\/06\/tmp1185-2etmp-tcm111-1352409.jpg?resize=163,114 163w, https:\/\/zonda-develop.go-vip.net\/concrete-construction\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2025\/06\/tmp1185-2etmp-tcm111-1352409.jpg?resize=187,131 187w\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tsizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\talt=\"Palm Beach County&#039;s North County Resource Recovery Facility is centrally located, lowering the hauling costs and vehicle emissions between five wastewater treatment plants and the landfill, which owned enough land to house a biosolids drying and pelletizing facility.\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tclass=\"lazy-load-image\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tloading=\"lazy\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tdata-caption=\"Palm Beach County&#039;s North County Resource Recovery Facility is centrally located, lowering the hauling costs and vehicle emissions between five wastewater treatment plants and the landfill, which owned enough land to house a biosolids drying and pelletizing facility.\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"carousel-slide hidden\"\n\t\t\t\t\tid=\"carousel-slide-3\"\n\t\t\t\t\trole=\"tabpanel\"\n\t\t\t\t\taria-roledescription=\"slide\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\taria-label=\"Slide 4 of 4\"\n\t\t\t\t\taria-hidden=\"true\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<!-- Lazy load other main images with data-src to be loaded only when needed -->\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<img\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tsrc=\"https:\/\/zonda-develop.go-vip.net\/concrete-construction\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2025\/06\/tmp1186-2etmp-tcm111-1352413.jpg?w=300\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tsrcset=\"https:\/\/zonda-develop.go-vip.net\/concrete-construction\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2025\/06\/tmp1186-2etmp-tcm111-1352413.jpg 300w, https:\/\/zonda-develop.go-vip.net\/concrete-construction\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2025\/06\/tmp1186-2etmp-tcm111-1352413.jpg?resize=241,177 241w, https:\/\/zonda-develop.go-vip.net\/concrete-construction\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2025\/06\/tmp1186-2etmp-tcm111-1352413.jpg?resize=155,114 155w, https:\/\/zonda-develop.go-vip.net\/concrete-construction\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2025\/06\/tmp1186-2etmp-tcm111-1352413.jpg?resize=179,131 179w\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tsizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\talt=\"The compression system runs 24 hours a day, six days per week, recirculating gas to a continuous pilot that automatically switches back to flaring when the pelletization facility isn&#039;t operating.\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tclass=\"lazy-load-image\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tloading=\"lazy\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tdata-caption=\"The compression system runs 24 hours a day, six days per week, recirculating gas to a continuous pilot that automatically switches back to flaring when the pelletization facility isn&#039;t operating.\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t<button class=\"carousel-next\"\n\t\t\t\taria-label=\"Next slide\"\n\t\t\t\ttype=\"button\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"icon\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/span>\n\t\t<\/button>\n\t<\/div>\n\n\t<div class=\"carousel-captions-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"carousel-caption active\"\n\t\t\t\t\tid=\"carousel-caption-0\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"carousel-caption__inner\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"image-caption\" data-full-caption=\"The Class AA product is a source of organic material and nitrogen that is sold in bulk to central Florida&#039;s fertilizer industry. The pellets can also be sold as fuel for biomass incinerators. Photos: West Palm Beach Solid Waste Authority\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"caption-preview\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tThe Class AA product is a source of organic material and nitroge&#8230;\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<button type=\"button\" class=\"read-more-toggle\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\taria-expanded=\"false\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\taria-controls=\"caption-full-0\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tRead More\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/button>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span id=\"caption-full-0\" class=\"full-caption hidden\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tThe Class AA product is a source of organic material and nitrogen that is sold in bulk to central Florida&#039;s fertilizer industry. The pellets can also be sold as fuel for biomass incinerators. Photos: West Palm Beach Solid Waste Authority\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"carousel-caption hidden\"\n\t\t\t\t\tid=\"carousel-caption-1\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"carousel-caption__inner\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"image-caption\" data-full-caption=\"Capable of turning 600 wet tons of sludge into 60 tons of marketable fertilizer every day, Palm Beach County&#039;s Resource Recovery Facility is processing 400 wet tons daily. Solid waste and wastewater treatment managers plan to add another 900 scfm by capturing gas from a second landfill.\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"caption-preview\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tCapable of turning 600 wet tons of sludge into 60 tons of market&#8230;\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<button type=\"button\" class=\"read-more-toggle\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\taria-expanded=\"false\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\taria-controls=\"caption-full-1\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tRead More\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/button>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span id=\"caption-full-1\" class=\"full-caption hidden\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tCapable of turning 600 wet tons of sludge into 60 tons of marketable fertilizer every day, Palm Beach County&#039;s Resource Recovery Facility is processing 400 wet tons daily. Solid waste and wastewater treatment managers plan to add another 900 scfm by capturing gas from a second landfill.\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"carousel-caption hidden\"\n\t\t\t\t\tid=\"carousel-caption-2\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"carousel-caption__inner\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"image-caption\" data-full-caption=\"Palm Beach County&#039;s North County Resource Recovery Facility is centrally located, lowering the hauling costs and vehicle emissions between five wastewater treatment plants and the landfill, which owned enough land to house a biosolids drying and pelletizing facility.\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"caption-preview\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tPalm Beach County&#039;s North County Resource Recovery Facility is c&#8230;\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<button type=\"button\" class=\"read-more-toggle\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\taria-expanded=\"false\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\taria-controls=\"caption-full-2\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tRead More\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/button>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span id=\"caption-full-2\" class=\"full-caption hidden\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tPalm Beach County&#039;s North County Resource Recovery Facility is centrally located, lowering the hauling costs and vehicle emissions between five wastewater treatment plants and the landfill, which owned enough land to house a biosolids drying and pelletizing facility.\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"carousel-caption hidden\"\n\t\t\t\t\tid=\"carousel-caption-3\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"carousel-caption__inner\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"image-caption\" data-full-caption=\"The compression system runs 24 hours a day, six days per week, recirculating gas to a continuous pilot that automatically switches back to flaring when the pelletization facility isn&#039;t operating.\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"caption-preview\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tThe compression system runs 24 hours a day, six days per week, r&#8230;\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<button type=\"button\" class=\"read-more-toggle\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\taria-expanded=\"false\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\taria-controls=\"caption-full-3\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tRead More\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/button>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span id=\"caption-full-3\" class=\"full-caption hidden\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tThe compression system runs 24 hours a day, six days per week, recirculating gas to a continuous pilot that automatically switches back to flaring when the pelletization facility isn&#039;t operating.\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t<div class=\"carousel-thumbnails-wrapper\" role=\"tablist\" aria-label=\"Thumbnail navigation\">\n\t\t<div class=\"carousel-thumbnails\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<button class=\"thumbnail-wrapper active\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\tdata-index=\"0\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\taria-label=\"Go to slide 1\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\taria-controls=\"carousel-slide-1\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\taria-selected=\"true\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\ttype=\"button\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\trole=\"tab\"\n\t\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zonda-develop.go-vip.net\/concrete-construction\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2025\/06\/tmp1183-2etmp-tcm111-1352403.jpg?w=150&#038;h=150&#038;crop=1\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\taria-hidden=\"true\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\talt=\"\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\tclass=\"thumbnail\">\n\t\t\t\t<\/button>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<button class=\"thumbnail-wrapper \"\n\t\t\t\t\t\tdata-index=\"1\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\taria-label=\"Go to slide 2\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\taria-controls=\"carousel-slide-2\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\taria-selected=\"false\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\ttype=\"button\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\trole=\"tab\"\n\t\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zonda-develop.go-vip.net\/concrete-construction\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2025\/06\/tmp1184-2etmp-tcm111-1352406.jpg?w=150&#038;h=150&#038;crop=1\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\taria-hidden=\"true\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\talt=\"\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\tclass=\"thumbnail\">\n\t\t\t\t<\/button>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<button class=\"thumbnail-wrapper \"\n\t\t\t\t\t\tdata-index=\"2\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\taria-label=\"Go to slide 3\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\taria-controls=\"carousel-slide-3\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\taria-selected=\"false\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\ttype=\"button\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\trole=\"tab\"\n\t\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zonda-develop.go-vip.net\/concrete-construction\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2025\/06\/tmp1185-2etmp-tcm111-1352409.jpg?w=150&#038;h=150&#038;crop=1\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\taria-hidden=\"true\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\talt=\"\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\tclass=\"thumbnail\">\n\t\t\t\t<\/button>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<button class=\"thumbnail-wrapper \"\n\t\t\t\t\t\tdata-index=\"3\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\taria-label=\"Go to slide 4\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\taria-controls=\"carousel-slide-4\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\taria-selected=\"false\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\ttype=\"button\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\trole=\"tab\"\n\t\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zonda-develop.go-vip.net\/concrete-construction\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2025\/06\/tmp1186-2etmp-tcm111-1352413.jpg?w=150&#038;h=150&#038;crop=1\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\taria-hidden=\"true\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\talt=\"\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\tclass=\"thumbnail\">\n\t\t\t\t<\/button>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\n\t<\/div>\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\"> <br> <b>$500,000 saved annually<\/b> <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Municipal landfills are the second-largest source of human-related methane emissions in the United States, and methane is about 21 times more potent than CO2 by weight.<\/p> <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Almost a decade ago, up the coast from Florida, managers in Virginia looked for ways to lower operating costs and methane emissions. They launched a program similar to Palm Beach County&#8217;s that is saving $500,000 annually.<\/p> <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In 1994, the Department of Public Works of Fairfax County, Va., landfill gas\/electricity project was generating 6.4 megawatts. At the time, the 260-acre I-95 Landfill accommodated 18 million tons of waste and was flaring an average of 1,400 scfm of gas daily.<\/p> <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">On March 12, 1996, EPA promulgated New Source Performance Standards for landfill emissions. While they could have satisfied the regulations by flaring, managers in the Fairfax County Division of Solid Waste Disposal and Resource Recovery wanted to go above and beyond the law&#8217;s minimum requirement. So they began to explore beneficial uses for their gas. They found it in the county&#8217;s 54-mgd Noman M. Cole Jr. Pollution Control wastewater treatment plant in Lorton, Va., which was spending an average of $5 per million Btu (mmBTU) on natural gas to power incinerator after-burners. At $2.60\/mmBtu, landfill gas was about half the price of natural gas. It wasn&#8217;t hard to decide to switch fuel sources.<\/p> <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It took two years to plan, permit, and install the biosolids drying project. The biggest challenge was acquiring right of way for the 3-mile pipeline from the landfill to the pelletization operation. County and contractor employees met with residents several times to talk about their concerns, most of which related to safety.<\/p> <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The county&#8217;s operating budget covered the $1.2 million pipeline construction; the plant&#8217;s developer paid $500,000 for the compressor\/dryer station to transmit the gas to the control plant. The Fairfax County Wastewater Treatment Division spent $100,000 on burner modifications to create a dual-fuel system that enables operators to use natural gas as a backup when the LFG supply fluctuates.<\/p> <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In 2005, solid waste managers installed a $50,000 infrared system that burns landfill gas to heat the landfill&#8217;s maintenance shop and truck washing facility and are saving $20,000 annually on propane. After investing $150,000 on the infrastructure necessary to switch from natural to landfill gas at their transfer station&#8217;s auto maintenance shop, they&#8217;re saving $50,000 annually on fuel.<\/p><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><b>Keeping odor to a minimum<\/b> <\/p> <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In Florida, wastewater treatment plants deliver dewatered sludge in 40-cubic-yard trailers to a fully enclosed, odor-controlled, automated receiving area at the recovery center&#8217;s pelletization operation.<\/p> <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Screw and belt conveyors transport the material into two 460-cubic-yard bins and then into a pug mill, which mixes oversized and fine dried pellets with the incoming sludge. The mixture then enters one of the two rotary drum dryers, which evaporate the moisture and condense the remaining solid material into 2-centimeter pellets. A separator cyclone then screens dried solids. Pellets meeting the size criteria are cooled and transported to storage silos, ready to be sold.<\/p> <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Because the operation resides next to residential neighborhoods, pack tower scrubbers are used to remove odor-causing water vapor, particulates, and ammonia. The scrubbers use alkaline\/hypochlorite to remove acidic and oxidizable substances, especially sulfur compounds such as hydrogen sulfide. A regenerative thermal oxidizer that&#8217;s heated by the landfill gas helps further by destroying odor-causing compounds and organic vapors.<\/p> <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A potent 50\/50 mixture of methane and carbon dioxide and traces of other organic compounds, the gas is saturated with water vapor and must be conditioned. A system comprising a compressor, a heat exchanger to reduce the gas temperature, a cooling\/dehydration zone to remove moisture, and a filter to remove solid impurities removes the water and impurities and creates a vacuum that pushes the clean gas through 1,000 feet of buried 7-inch PVC pipe to the facility.<\/p> <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">There, the gas is channeled to the burners through redundant piping systems.<\/p> <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">At 1,200 scfm, the gas provides all the energy each dryer requires: a maximum hourly fuel supply of 34 mmBtu. But like most such projects, the facility is designed to use both landfill and natural gas so operators can use either if the supply of either fuel is interrupted.<\/p> <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Managers are confident the facility will provide a sustainable and profitable solution for Palm Beach County.<\/p> <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><i>\u2014 Ludwig <a href=\"mailto:(Ludwig.victoria@epamail.epa.gov\" target=\"_blank\">(Ludwig.victoria@epamail.epa.gov)<\/a> is a program manager with the U.S. EPA Landfill Methane Outreach Program, and Usherson <a href=\"mailto:(judy.usherson@erg.com\" target=\"_blank\">(judy.usherson@erg.com)<\/a> is a senior analyst at Eastern Research Group.<\/i><\/p> <hr> <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"> <b>WEB EXTRA<\/b> <\/p><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><b>Join LMOP<\/b> <\/p> <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The U.S EPA&#8217;s Landfill Methane Outreach Program (LMOP) provides software tools, marketing assistance, guidance materials, and tailored technical services to facilitate development of landfill gas (LFG) energy projects. Specifically, LMOP works to:<\/p> <li>Assess landfills that are viable candidates for project development.<\/li> <li>Estimate energy potential from landfills and match the supply to end-user demand.<\/li> <li>Conduct preliminary feasibility studies for LFG energy projects.<\/li> <li>Facilitate the location of corporate\/industrial facilities adjacent to candidate landfills.<\/li> <li>Provide technical expertise in the use of LFG in boilers and other thermal applications.<\/li> <li>Promote the environmental and economic benefits of LFG energy projects.<\/li> <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">But how do you know if your landfill is a good candidate for a gas-to-energy project? The LMOP defines a candidate landfill as one that is accepting waste or has been closed for five years or less; has at least 1 million tons of waste; and does not have an operational landfill gas-to-energy project or one under construction.<\/p><\/div> ","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>By Victoria Ludwig The EPA Office of Water&#8217;s Part 503 Biosolids Rule (40 CFR, Part 503) regulates the surface disposal of biosolids. The rule imposes numerical standards for 10 metals and operational standards for microbial organisms in biosolids. Although drying and selling biosolids isn&#8217;t new, using landfill gas to power dryers is. Since U.S. EPA&#8217;s [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":0,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"scheduledNewsletterDates":[],"_scheduled_newsletter_id":0,"footnotes":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"zonda_content_type_url_append":"_o","zonda_dfp_zone":"","zonda_exclude_recommended_contents":false,"zonda_exclude_most_popular":false,"zonda_exclude_tagged_results":false,"zonda_eyebrow":"Landfill Operation","zonda_last_newsletter_date":"2099-12-31T23:59:59.999-05:00","zonda_original_url":"","zonda_pdf_version":0,"zonda_print_headline":"Self-sustaining biosolids drying","zonda_promo_abstract":"How solid waste and wastewater authorities are joining forces to limit energy 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