A Sustainable Biosolids Process & Fertilizer Product

Dana G Taylor and Jeffrey C Burnham, Ph.D.

Long-term effective biosolids solution High-value slow-release fertilizer Green sustainable business

The Biosolids Solution – Sustainability The Biosolids Solution – Sustainability

61 MM ton U.S.Fertilizer

Market Need

7.5 MM ton U.S.Biosolids

Production

AM

Process

Enhanced EfficiencyFertilizer

Class A+/EQ

GranulationProcessing

Slow-release N

Nearly odorless

Crop effective

CompetitiveAg economics

GrowingPopulationRequiringIncreased

CropProduction

IncreasinglyLimitedDisposalOptions

Key Aspects of Business Model

Do not transport biosolids cake very far

Utilize a safe Class AA biosolids treatment

Construct modular plants

Emphasize redundancy

Manufacture a valuable marketable product

Be community positive

Key Approaches Key Approaches

Create Value With Biosolids

• Recover value from biosolids

• Nitrogen

• Micronutrients

• Organics

• Amino acids

• Manufacture saleable enhanced-efficiency fertilizer

• Increased crop production value

• Create GREEN value: Reduction in GHG emissions for biosolids treatment and fertilizer manufacture

Biosolids Containing Enhanced Efficiency Fertilizer

HIGH‐NUTRIENT SLOW‐RELEASE FERTILIZER

16‐0‐2‐17‐3‐16 (N‐P‐K‐S‐Fe‐Org)

Characteristics:• Spherical granules; 260/120/80 SGN• 6-8 # hardness• Dry - >98% solids• no biosolids odor

Application rates: pounds per acre - not tons

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The Ammonium Mix (“AM”) Technology The Ammonium Mix (“AM”) Technology

• Conversion of biosolids to high nitrogen granular fertilizer– Reacts concentrated acid and anhydrous ammonia with

biosolids for a two step heat drying process– Couples nutrients to biosolids organic molecules to

create a slow-release fertilizer

• Key is long reaction times under heat and pressure.

• Incorporation of high plant nutrient value

• Use of nutrient chemicals that positively reduce odorants

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Dewatered Biosolids

HydrolysisHydrolysisVesselsVessels

CoolingCooling

Binding Agents

Recycle

PugmillPugmill Conditioning: Convert to paste-like material Fe addition

ScreensScreens

Condensed water return to WWTP

Ammonia & H2SO4

Controlled reaction time, pressure and high temperatures for dewatering, disinfection, hydrolysis of molecules.

CoatingCoating StorageStorage

Granulator / DryerGranulator / Dryer

The Ammonium Mix (“AM”) Process The Ammonium Mix (“AM”) Process

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Tomatoes & Peppers (Univ of Florida)

Turf (Bermuda; Rye) (Mississippi State Univ)

Corn (Arise Research Station, IN)

Golf course greens (Mississippi State Univ & SEP, FL)

Watermelons (Purdue Univ)

Winter Wheat

Field Crop Trials

MSU Greens Project (Creeping Bentgrass – 1/23/12) with average Digital Color Ratings MSU Greens Project (Creeping Bentgrass – 1/23/12) with average Digital Color Ratings

VitAg – 7.2 Nature Safe – 6.2

Milorganite – 5.8

Urea – 7.0Control – 4.2

318

458

266

38

0

100

200

300

400

500

VitAg 50/50 VitAg 25/75 Commercial Control

Independent Testing Demonstrates Agronomic Benefits on Crops

High quality commercial fertilizer for a broad array of crops

Especially productive in turf

Promotes yield by reducing crop stress (i.e. heat and drought);enhances plant vigor with better root structure.

Enhanced slow-release properties

Tomato Yield Improvement Research at 84 Days

Source: University of Florida

Source: Arise Research Station and Discovery

Commercial4-10-6 1000 #/a

17-0-28 1800 #/a 17-0-28 1800 #/a

Commercial4-10-6 1000 #/a

17-0-28 1800 #/a 17-0-28 1800 #/a

VitAg 50/50 KNO3 4-

10-6 1000 #/aVitAg 1000 #/a KNO3 1000 #/a

NH3NO3 235 #/a

VitAg 50/50 KNO3 4-

10-6 1000 #/aVitAg 1000 #/a KNO3 1000 #/a

NH3NO3 235 #/a

VitAg 25/75 4-10-6 1000 #/aVitAg 470 #/a KNO3 1114 #/a

VitAg 25/75 4-10-6 1000 #/aVitAg 470 #/a KNO3 1114 #/a

ControlControl

Tomato Fruit Weight as Influenced by N Source

N Source

B A B C

Commentary

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Sustainable Energy Benefits Of VitAg

• Sustainable energy created through agriculture

• Lower carbon process footprint (GHG emissions)

To

ns

of

CO

2 p

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To

n o

f B

ioso

lid

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roce

sses

Incinerator ThermalDryer Process

Gould et al., WEF 2011

VitAg Plant -- Zellwood, FLJuly 2014

VitAg Zellwood, FL Project

• 100% Plant Engineering (CDMSmith)

• Permits for Orange Cty, FL and State of FL

• EPC contract with guarantees

• Fully Funded - Notice to Proceed issued (7/12/14)

• Purchased 62 acres in Zellwood, FL

• Signed 20 year biosolids supply contract

VitAg Zellwood/Orlando, FL Site VitAg Zellwood/Orlando, FL Site

VitAg’s AM Plant Design For Zellwood

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VitAg’s AM Plant Design For Zellwood VitAg’s AM Plant Design For Zellwood

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THANK YOU!