Science & Technology: Possible Geothermal Industry Collaboration?

Thermal Hydrolysis Offers Multiple Benefits To Wastewater Treatment Facilities (Breaking Energy)

Injected steam heats the solids and maintains them at a temperature of approximately 165°C and a gauge pressure of 600 kilopascals (kPA), or 87 psi, for 20 to 30 minutes

Thermal hydrolysis is an advanced wastewater solids conditioning process that boasts both financial and environmental advantages. With the process in wide usage across the UK, it is now starting to gain traction in the U.S., as wastewater utilities analyze whether their facilities would make a good candidate.

Injected steam heats the solids and maintains them at a temperature of approximately 165°C and a gauge pressure of 600 kilopascals (kPA), or 87 psi, for 20 to 30 minutes. Then the pressure is released. The combination of high temperature and rapid depressurization makes the material more biodegradable for the anaerobic digestion process that follows.

The thermal hydrolysis process (THP) increases the biodegradability of wastewater residuals, thereby boosting digester loading rates, increasing biogas production, and producing a biosolids product that can be used for land fertilization.

Knight said that many THP facilities include combined heat and power (CHP) systems to produce electricity. Some facilities are also considering conversion of biogas to renewable natural gas as an alternative to CHP.

Thanks to GRC Member Anna Carter, Geothermal Support Services, for the information.

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