The Regional District of Nanaimo (RDN) is investigating options for a new biosolids management strategy. This study proposes a new solution to the RDN’s biosolids program that consists of a thermal hydrolysis unit, a biogas upgrade process, and a composting system. All three units are to be built and installed at the Greater Nanaimo Pollution Control Center (GNPCC). The thermal hydrolysis unit is to be placed prior to anaerobic digestion at GNPCC and modifies the sludge properties. It decreases the required digester volume by 70% and increases the rate of anaerobic digestion by a factor of 2.3. The GNPCC anaerobic digester biogas will undergo water scrubbing to be upgraded to biomethane. A compost and curing facility is proposed to treat Class A and B biosolids from GNPCC and FCPCC to produce a Class A compost. The proposed solution has an estimated capital cost of 31.2 million USD and an annual operating cost of 3.2 million USD. The products of the operation include about 10,500 yards of compost and over 27,000,000 kWh of renewable natural gas annually. The proposed solution has an annual revenue of 2.3 million USD.
This session will be presented by the winners of the 2022 BC Water and Waste Association Student Design Competition, UBC Environment Engineering students: Ben Alberga, Caelan Accili, Mohamed El Badrawy, Parsa Mivehchi, and Ramzi Hijazi
