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Biosolids
Technology Fact Sheet
In-Vessel Composting of Biosolids
DESCRIPTION pathogens to non-detectable levels in the
wastewater solids (i.e., to Class A standards.) The
Biosolids are primarily organic materials produced Part 503 Rule requires the composting process to
during wastewater treatment which may be put to maintain a temperature of at least 55 degrees
beneficial use. Composting is the biological Celsius for a minimum of three days to effectively
degradation of organic materials under controlled destroy pathogens and qualify as Class A.
aerobic conditions. The process is used to stabilize
wastewater solids prior to their use as a soil In addition to performance standards for the
amendment or mulch in landscaping, horticulture, composting process, the Part 503 Rule established
and agriculture. Figure 1 shows an example of a maximum concentrations for nine metals which
finished product of compost. Stabilization of cannot be exceeded in biosolids products, including
wastewater solids prior to their use serves to compost. These are known as ceiling
destroy pathogens (disease causing organisms), concentrations. The federal maximum allowable
minimize odors, and reduce vector attraction metals concentrations are provided in Table 1. The
potential. Part 503 Rule also established more stringent
pollutant concentrations. Biosolids products which
The Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA’s) 40 do not exceed pollutant concentrations, meet Class
CFR Part 503, Standards for the Use and Disposal A pathogen reduction requirements, and are
of Sewage Sludge, (the Part 503 Rule) defines two processed to reduce vector attraction potential are
types of biosolids with respect to pathogen often referred to as Exception Quality products.
reduction: Class A and Class B. The difference is Products meeting these requirements may be freely
defined by the degree of pathogen reduction on the distributed for a variety of uses.
solids. When federal performance standards are
met, composting insures full destruction of There are three general methods of composting
biosolids: windrow, aerated static pile, and in-
vessel. Each method uses the same scientific
principals but varies in procedures and equipment
needs. This Fact Sheet addresses in-vessel
composting.
C The composting process can be more closely In-vessel composting facilities can impact air, water,
controlled. and soil. The primary impact to the air is nuisance
odors if process air is not properly treated before
C The effects of weather are diminished. emission to the atmosphere. Most in-vessel
composting facilities treat process air with either a
C Less bulking agent may be required. biofilter or chemical scrubbing system prior to
release to the atmosphere. Odors can result from
C The quality of the resulting product is more several possible constituents in the air exiting a
consistent. composting vessel. Much work has been done in
the last several years to characterize and control
C Less manpower is required to operate the odors from composting operations. Bioaerosols
system and staff is less exposed to the (organisms or biological agents in air that affect
composting material. human health) are also a concern in compost
emissions. The most widely studied bioaerosol is
C Process air can be more easily collected for Aspergillus fumigatus, a fungal spore. Endotoxins
treatment to reduce odor emissions. (non-living components of cell walls of gram-
negative bacteria) and organic dust (such as pollens)
C Less land area is required. are also bioaerosols. These contaminants are
primarily of concern to workers at the composting
C Public acceptance of the facility may be facilities and are generally not present in quantities
better. that would cause reactions in most humans. Health
effects to compost facility workers have not been
Disadvantages readily apparent in studies conducted to identify
such effects (Epstein et al., 1998.)
There are also disadvantages associated with in-
vessel composting which must be considered before Impacts to surface water bodies resulting from in-
selecting this technology for wastewater solids vessel composting are unlikely. The enclosed nature
management. In-vessel composting is generally of the technology greatly diminishes the potential
more costly than other composting methods, for impacts to surface water due to high nitrogen
particularly with respect to capital expenditures. In concentrations in runoff. Buildings should be
addition, because it is more mechanized, more designed with floor drains to sewers or holding
equipment maintenance is necessary. A significant tanks. Any unenclosed portions of an in-vessel
drawback of composting that must be addressed composting operation, such as materials receiving
during facility design is the potential for fires. The and mixing, product curing, and product storage
large amount of carbonaceous material stored and should be designed with leachate/runoff containment
used at composting facilities creates the potential for and provisions for disposal or treatment to avoid
fires in storage areas as well as in the active runoff potential.
composting mass. Sufficient aeration and moisture
are necessary to avoid fires. The use of biosolids compost as a soil conditioner
results in the following:
Environmental Impacts
C Increases water holding capacity.
Several aspects of an in-vessel composting facility
can result in environmental impacts if the facility is C Increases aeration and drainage for clay
mismanaged. Proper design and operation can soils.
reduce environmental impacts. Storage,
C Provides organic nitrogen, phosphorus, and Metals content of the biosolids will affect the
potassium. usability of the final product and must be considered
during design to ensure a market for the final
C Provides essential plant micronutrients. product.
C Can reduce the need for pesticides. An odor control system is an inherent part of in-
vessel design. The cost of an odor control system
Other environmental benefits of producing and using can account for up to 50 percent of both capital and
compost include the recycling of a valuable operation and maintenance costs. Composting
resource, reduction of dependence on chemical facilities usually use either wet scrubbers or
fertilizers, and offsetting the use of natural resources biofilters for odor control. The level of odor control
such as trees or peat moss as mulch material. required is a function of the quality and quantity of
air to be treated, the results of air dispersion
DESIGN CRITERIA modeling, and proximity to occupied dwellings.
The following biosolids characteristics must be The most important design feature of a composting
considered in designing an in-vessel composting system is the ability to maintain uniform aerobic
system: conditions during composting. The air distribution
system may be controlled by cycle timers and/or
C Moisture content. temperature feedback control. The design must
avoid compaction of the composting mass to
C Volatile solids content. maintain sufficient pore space for aeration. In
addition, provisions for routine monitoring of
C Carbon content. temperatures must be included.
4. Epstein, E., Croteau, G., Wu, N., and 12. U. S. Environmental Protection Agency,
Youngberg, C., 1998. Bioaerosols at a 1989. Summary Report: In-Vessel
Biosolids Composting Facility: Health Composting of Municipal Wastewater
Implication to Workers. In Proceedings of Sludge, Technology Transfer Document
the 12th Annual Residuals and Biosolids EPA/625/8-89/016, Cincinnati: U.S.
Management Conference. Alexandria: Environmental Protection Agency.
Water Environment Federation.
13. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency,
5. Goldstein, N. and Block, D., 1997. 1986. Sewage Sludge Management Primer,
Biosolids Composting Holds Its Own. Technology Transfer Series. Cincinnati:
BioCycle Journal of Composting and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
Recycling 38:12: 64-74.
14. Walker, J.M., Goldstein, N., Chen, B.,
6. Goldstein, N. and Gray, K., 1999. Biosolids 1989. Evaluating The In-Vessel
Composting in the United States. BioCycle Composting Option in The BioCycle Guide
Journal of Composting and Recycling to Composting Municipal Wastes, ed. Staff
40:1:63+. of BioCycle Journal of Waste Recycling.
Emmaus: The JG Press.
7. Haug, R.T., 1980. Compost Engineering.
Ann Arbor: Ann Arbor Science Publishers, 15. Water Environment Federation, 1995.
Inc. Wastewater Residuals Stabilization, Manual
of Practice FD-9. Alexandria: Water
Environment Federation.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
City of Davenport
Scott Plett
P.O. Box 2707
Davenport, Iowa 52808