The option to dry and pelletize sludge waste is blossoming in the US, as it is in the European community. Many municipal and/or industrial plants have already turned to drying and pelletizing to eliminate dust emissions, reduce sludge volume, and minimize costs. Furthermore, the American Biogas Council states that the US House of Representatives released The Moving Forward Act, which will award $1.5 trillion to rebuild and upgrade US community infrastructures. This is expected to jump start innovative improvements for municipalities by providing the much-needed funding to take on these projects.
There are many cost savings and employee health benefits to drying biosolids. Reduced weight and volume of waste makes it easier and cheaper to haul away. Using a system with zero dust emissions makes the work environment safer. Employees would not be required to wear masks (at least not for dust reasons). The drying process can take the cost of hauling waste for disposal and off-set much of the cost by creating a marketable Class A fertilizer product.
Drying is the ideal solution to the environmental and legal concerns for the disposal of sewage sludge, covering all the bases. All harmful bacteria are eradicated by the high heat and the removal of moisture, producing 90% dry solids (DS). Microbiological testing even confirms extensive sterilization of the dried sludge, which complies with EPA standards for Class A Biosolids and Exceptional Quality (EQ). If you really want to get into it, Universal Drying Systems meets the EPA requirements for Alternatives 1 and 5. See chapter 5 of the Guide to the Part 503 Rule.
