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
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458
266
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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
er
To
n o
f B
ioso
lid
s P
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!