Residuals and Biosolids Conference 2024 Program

Explore the program, education, and in-store events for the Residuals and Biosolids Conference 2024. 

Download a PDf of
the 2024 Program

Browse By Day

Tuesday, June 18 Workshops Only Wednesday, June 19 Thursday, June 20 Friday, June 21

Information last updated May 9, 2024

RBC24-hr.png

TUESDAY, JUNE 18 | WORKSHOPS ONLY


Top

Workshop A: Upgrading Biogas to Renewable Natural Gas
Tuesday, June 18, 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Additional fees apply for Pre-conference Workshops.

Speakers: Silvia Fuentes, Washington Suburban Sanitation Commission; Jeff Prevatt, Pima County RWRD; Erika Bailey, Raleigh Water

This hands-on workshop provides a comprehensive review of the many intricacies involved in upgrading of biogas to RNG standards for pipeline injection and ultimate distribution and sale of renewable identification number (RIN) credits.

A list of interactive topics covered including:

  • EPA registration process for becoming a RIN generator
  • Utility agreements between the WRF RNG entity and interstate gas transmission providers
  • Monetization of RNG
  • RNG system operation

A full agenda for this workshop is coming soon!


 

Workshop B: Dewatering Optimization – Practical Ways to Improve Performance
Tuesday, June 18, 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Additional fees apply for Pre-conference Workshops.

Speakers: Matthew Higgins, Bucknell University; Adam Parmenter, HDR; Josh Miner, Carollo; Jeffrey Nicholson, HRSD; Charles Goss, AECOM; Luke Plache, VeloDyne Systems; Zwelani Ngwenya, Jacobs; Stephanie Spalding, HDR; David Oerke, Jacobs

The Dewatering Optimization – Practical Ways to Improve Performance workshop will focus on practical solutions to improve dewatering performance including drier cake solids, better solids capture, reduced polymer consumption, and reduced O&M costs for raw sludge, aerobically and anaerobically digested biosolids. This workshop will be of primary interest to plant managers, superintendents, operators and maintenance staff from municipalities. Furthermore, this workshop topic is critical and timely to the industry since municipalities are getting more and more pressure to reduce their budgets or to "do more for less" in addition to addressing the challenges of increasing polymer, solids processing and hauling cost.

The information from the workshop will provide municipal attendees the knowledge and resources to better perform their jobs with lower O&M costs, will help consultants to provide more informative and better dewatering equipment advice and will help manufacturers to provide better and more optimum machine performance at lower O&M costs.

A full agenda for this workshop is coming soon!


 

Workshop C: A Cradle-to-Cradle Approach to Fugitive Methane Quantification and Abatement
Tuesday, June 18, 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Additional fees apply for Pre-conference Workshops.

Speakers: David Ponder, US Water Alliance; Trung Le, Brown and Caldwell; Dante Fiorino; Jason Ren, Princeton University; Elsayed Elbeshbishy, Toronto Metropolitan University; Tyler Schweinfurth, City of Columbus; Douglas Dixon, City of Columbus

This workshop is designed to help participants develop an understanding of the drivers, risks, and regulations that influence fugitive methane abatement in the United States. They will also learn about emerging and available technologies for quantification in the market and the use of those technologies for quantification through multiple US case studies and develop an understanding of abatement solutions and strategic implementation of these solutions through a case study.

This workshop will cover the following topics:

  • State of Fugitive Methane
  • Drivers, Risks, and Regulations for Fugitive Methane
  • Emerging and Available Quantification Technologies
  • Practical Case Studies

A full agenda for this workshop is coming soon!

RBC24-hr.png

Wednesday, June 19 | Sessions


Top

Opening General Session
Wednesday, June 19, 8:30 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.

More information about the Opening General Session is coming soon!


Poster Presentations
Wednesday, June 19, 10:00 a.m. – 6:15 p.m.
Thursday, June 20, 10:00 a.m. – 3:45 p.m.

The following poster presentations will be set up for viewing in the exhibit hall during hall hours:

Individualized Economic Analysis of Hydrothermal Liquefaction for Wastewater Decarbonization
Michael Timko, Paul Wood, Julian Bennett, Muntasir Shahabuddin, Andrew Texeira, Nikolaos Kazantzis, Worcester Polytechnic Institute; Julia Faeth, RAPID Manufacturing Institute; Aidin Panahi, Andrew Charlebois, Alex Maag, Harold Walker, Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Recovery of heavy metals from electronic industry waste sludge by bioleaching process
Shen-Yi Chen, Tzu-Jung Yen, National Kaohsiung University of Science and Technology

Top


Session 01: Research and Innovation
Wednesday, June 19, 10:45 a.m. - 11:45 a.m.

Heartland Water Technology

Time Event
10:45 a.m. Initial Results from PFAS Destruction Testing in Ultra High Temperature Ionic Gasification Brandon Davis, Jim Henderson,
11:15 a.m. Cleaning up after the pandemic: How old and new quaternary ammonium compounds affect anaerobic digestion Zihao Lu,Marquette University; William Arnold; Daniel Zitomer, Christopher Marshall, Marquette University; Anna Mahony, University of MN; Patrick McNamara, Black & Veatch and Marquette University
11:45 a.m. Session Adjourns for Luncheon

Top


Session 02: RBC Young Professional Panel Discussion
Wednesday, June 19, 10:45 a.m. - 11:45 a.m.

This session will feature a 60-min “Reverse Panel”, where the following topics will be discussed:

  • Developing a Resource Network,
  • Professional Development and Career Guidance,
  • Career Pathways in the Water Industry.

More information about this session is coming soon!

Top


Session 03: State of the Solids Stream: Running a 100% Beneficial Reuse Biosolids Program at the City of Columbus, Ohio
Wednesday, June 19, 10:45 a.m. - 11:45 a.m.

Speakers: Annaka Ruther; Moss Birri, City of Columbus

The City of Columbus has committed to 100% beneficial reuse of its wastewater residuals stream. The City has achieved this goal through the use of a diverse and region specific biosolids management program. This session provides an overview of the core components of the biosolids management program and relative utilization of each component, challenges faced by the City due to growth and regulation, and future plans to expand and capitalize on beneficial use of our biosolids stream. Attendees can expect to learn about Class B biosolids land application, deep row hybrid poplar tree farms, municipal biosolids composting to Class A Exceptional Quality biosolids, digestion's impact on biosolids quality, and biogas cogeneration.

A full agenda for this session is coming soon!

Top


Session 04: The Fate of PFAS in Biosolids through Land Application, Incineration, and Thermal Treatment - Updates from Water Research Foundation Projects
Wednesday, June 19, 10:45 a.m. - 11:45 a.m.

Speakers: Linda Lee, Purdue University; Lloyd Winchell; Patrick McNamara, Black & Veatch and Marquette University; Lynne Moss, Black & Veatch

Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) have dramatically shifted the biosolids management landscape, with one state already passing a ban on land application due to PFAS in biosolids. Thus, there is a great research need to understand the fate of PFAS through land application of biosolids, incineration, and emerging thermal treatment technologies including pyrolysis and gasification. Therefore, the Water Research Foundation (WRF) has supported this important research need. This session will highlight findings from three WRF projects that focus on the fate of PFAS in biosolids: 5214 Direct In Situ Measurement of PFAS Transformation & Leaching from Land-Applied Biosolids, 5111 Studying the Fate of PFAS through Sewage Sludge Incinerators, 5211 Understanding the Value Proposition for Thermal Processes to Mitigate PFAS in Biosolids.

A full agenda for this session is coming soon!

Top


 

Technology Spotlight I
Wednesday, June 19, 12:45 p.m. – 1:10 p.m.

The two exhibitors listed below will each hold a 20-minute presentation each. Participants are invited to attend a different presentation at each of the times listed below. Choose the presentation you would like to attend. Each presentation happens at the exhibitor’s booth. Presentations kick off concurrently at 12:50 p.m. in each of the two booths.

12:45 p.m. Mobile Session Introduction at the entrance to the exhibit hall
12:50 p.m. 2 Simultaneous Presentation A

Booth Event
Booth 729 Double your Cake solids in under 2 Minutes. A Performance Review of Elode Drying Technology Devry Faddis, Charter Machine Company
Booth 802 The City of Marengo, IL Utilizes the Cleanb® to Significantly Improve Operation and Throughput Capacity Lance Rodeman, BCR Environmental

Top


 

Session 05: Dewatering
Wednesday, June 19, 1:30 p.m. - 4:45 p.m.

Time Event
1:30 p.m. Dewatering Benefits of SLG Technology at the McDowell Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant Kathryn Quaid; Anish Luthra; Muriel Steele
2:00 p.m. Application of Measured Rheological Data for Improved Sludge Process Design Elaine Leonard; Luke Thompson, HDR, Inc.
2:30 p.m. Knock Out, Drag Out Fight: Centrifuge vs. Belt Filter Press — Title for Best Dewatering Technology to Squeeze the Poop at William. E. Dunn Water Reclamation Facility! Manuel Moncholi, Shyam Sivaprasad, Jeovanni Ayala-Lugo, Simon Meikle, Stantec; Dean Lyons, Thomas Menke, Pinellas County Utilities; Pooja Oberoi, Stantec
3:00 p.m. Networking and Coffee Break
3:45 p.m. Taking a Late Phase Detour: Dewatering System Redesign for the Plum Island WPCP Ruth Borgmann, Jacqueline Yeh, C Bullard, Hazen and Sawyer; Jared Hartwig; Jonathan Walker, Gregory Hider, Charleston Water System
4:15 p.m. From Drying Beds to Screw Presses — Impact of BNR on Dewatering and Managing Recycled Phosphorus in Salt Lake City Brock Hodgson, Grant Davies, C. Goss, AECOM; Michelle Barry; Jamey West, Salt Lake City Department of Public Utilities; Jose Rubalcaba, Salt Lake City Corp
4:45 p.m. Session Adjourns for Networking Reception in Exhibit Hall
Alternate Enhancing post-treatment efficiency of temperature phased anaerobic digestate through combined chemical conditioning for Class A Biosolids production Ahmed Alsayed, Northwestern University; Umme Sharmeen Hyder, Elsayed Elbeshbishy, Joseph McPhee, Reshmi Misir, Toronto Metropolitan University

Top


 

 

Session 06: Resource Recovery and Sustainable Practices
Wednesday, June 19, 1:30 p.m. - 4:45 p.m.

Time Event
1:30 p.m. Partnering with Local Sources of High Strength Wastes through a Co-digestion Program Kevin Wegener, Ornella Sosa-Hernandez, Peter Schauer, Clean Water Services
2:00 p.m. Integrated Biosolids and Organics Management Strategy in the City of Windsor, Ontario, Canada Eduardo Valdez, City of Windsor; Christina Jung Jian Li; Drury Whitlock, Stantec
2:30 p.m. Setting the Path for Resource Recovery at Iona Island with a 2100 Vision in Mind C. Goss, AECOM; Marek Ratajczak, Metro Vancouver; Joyce Chang, Jacobs; Richard Bitcon; Kim Fries
3:00 p.m. Networking and Coffee Break
3:45 p.m. Optimizing Recovery and End Use of Gypsum in Super-Saturated RO Concentrate at PRWC Southeast Water Production Facility Christian Karavangelos; Brandon Yallaly, Mary Thomas, Carollo Engineers, Inc.; Eric DeHaven, Polk Regional Water Cooperative; Mark Addison, Polk County Utilities
4:15 p.m. Biosolids Land Application; A focus on Phosphorus. Are we applying too much? Bernadette Drouhard, Black & Veatch; Sarah Guzman; Mark Lang; Vickie Hoge, St. Johns River Water Management District
4:45 p.m. Session Adjourns for Networking Reception in Exhibit Hall
Alternate Feasibility Study for the Implementation of Hydrothermal Liquefaction in Southeast Michigan: Considering Environmental, Economic, and Social Aspects Michael Thorson, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory; Xavier Fonoll Almansa, University of Texas at Austin; John Norton, Great Lakes Water Authority; Glen Daigger; John Willis, Brown and Caldwell; Shuyun Li, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory; Carol Miller, Wayne State University; Yuan Jiang, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory; Timothy Seiple; Andrew Marcus, Great Lakes Water Authority; Uriah Kilgore, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory

Top


 

Session 07: Outreach Updates: From State to Regional Solutions
Wednesday, June 19, 1:30 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.

Time Event
1:30 p.m. Advocacy & Outreach in Biosolids Management Megan Ross, SediVision, LLC
2:00 p.m. Working towards a Sustainable Outlet for Maine Biosolids through a Regional Solution Scott Firmin, Portland Water District; Bill Brower, Tracy Chouinard, Natalie Sierra, John Ross, Brown and Caldwell
2:30 p.m. JEA’s Measured Approach to Regional Biosolids Management with Drying: Setting a Trend for Utilities Concerned about Narrowing Management Options Peter Blackley, Jacksonville Energy Authority (JEA); Sudhan Paranjape, Carollo Engineers Inc.
3.00 p.m. Session Adjourns for Networking and Coffee Break

Top


 

Session 08: Resurgence of Sub-and Supercritical Wet Oxidation Technologies for Eliminating PFAS in Biosolids and Residuals with a Reduced Carbon Footprint
Wednesday, June 19, 1:30 p.m. - 4:45 p.m.

In this session, participants will learn about the basics of sub-and supercritical thermal technologies, including hydrothermal carbonization (HTC), hydrothermal liquefaction (HTL), and supercritical water oxidation (SCWO). The focus will be on how these technologies can efficiently treat biosolids and residuals, with a particular emphasis on their potential to treat per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). Participants will gain insight into the energy balances of each technology, understand their advantages and disadvantages, and explore their capacity to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions related to traditional biosolids and residuals management.

Time Event
1:30 p.m. Introductions to speakers and overview of session Naomi Senehi,374Water; Anne Sun, Hazen and Sawyer
1:45 p.m. Objective 1: Fundamentals: the basics of HTC, HTL, SCWO Jeremy Taylor, SoMax; Michael Thorson, MicroBio Engineering/Pacific Northwest National Laboratory; Marc Deshusses, Duke University
2:45 p.m. Objective 1 discussion
2:50 p.m Objective 2: PFAS treatment: current knowledge and research gaps of HTC, HTL, SCWO Pooja Sinha, Stantec
3:20 p.m. Networking Break
3:35 p.m. Objective 2 discussion
3:40 p.m. Objective 3: Energy balances: energy usage and recovery of HTC, HTL, SCWO Jeremy Taylor, SoMax; Braden Crowe, MicroBio Engineering/Pacific Northwest National Laboratory; Sudhakar Viswanathan, 374Water
4:10 p.m. Objective 3 discussion
4:15 p.m. Panel discussion & closing remarks Naomi Senehi, 374Water; Anne Sun, Hazen and Sawyer

Top


 

Technology Spotlight II
Wednesday, June 19 3:15 p.m. – 3:40 p.m.

The two exhibitors listed below will each hold a 20-minute presentation once each. Participants are invited to attend a different presentation at each of the times listed below. Choose the presentation you would like to attend. Each presentation happens at the exhibitor’s booth. Presentations kick off concurrently at: 3:20 p.m. in each of the two booths.

3:15 p.m. Mobile Session Introduction at entrance to exhibit hall
3:20 p.m. 2 Simultaneous Presentation A

Booth Event
Booth 519 Understanding Dryer Energy Requirements Within High Temperature Thermal Processes Chip Pless, LCI Corporation
Booth 713 Dewatering Co-digested Biosolids and Source-separated organics; Challenge and Success.Scott McKay, SMK Consulting in Fournier Booth

Top


 

Session 09: Emerging Issues
Wednesday, June 19. 3:45 p.m. - 4:45 p.m.

Time Event
3:35 p.m. Harmonizing Thermal Hydrolysis Pretreatment: Digestibility, Dewaterability, and Microbial Symphony in PFAS-Laden Sewage SludgeAbir Hamze,Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU); Basem Reda, University of Alberta; Mohamed Zaghloul, Toronto Metropolitan University; Bipro Dhar; Elsayed Elbeshbishy, Toronto Metropolitan University
4:15 p.m. Microplastics in Solids Stream: Abundance, Fate and Methodologies for Analysis Cayla Cook, Carollo Engineers;Yian Sun;Derya Dursun, Hazen and Sawyer; Mohammad Abu-Orf
4:45 p.m. Session Adjourns for Networking Reception in Exhibit Hall
Alternative Microplastics: The Next Contaminant of Emerging ConcernKaitlyn Hague

Top


 

Facility Tour

Additional fees apply

Tour A: Modern Composting in Midwest City
Thursday, June 20, 8:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.

Midwest City has successfully performed fully automated composting at its Northside Water Resources Recovery Facility since 2015. The City’s Compost Facility at the WRRF uses a highly controlled in-vessel stabilization process, including a rail mounted turner/advancing machine, located within an industrial football field size building. The system utilizes automated temperature monitoring, control, and tracking to achieve a Class A product. Anaerobically digested and dewatered biosolids generated at the WRRF are blended with local yard waste in carefully designed ratios. Composting is accomplished without producing objectionable odors. Altogether, Midwest City sustainably recycles nutrients within the local community while diverting yard waste otherwise destined for disposal at the local landfill. The City sells out every batch of compost with waiting lists for the next batch. Conference attendees are invited to come and see modern composting in action.

RBC24-hr.png

Thursday, June 20 | Sessions


 

Session 10: Thickening
Thursday, June 20, 8:30 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.

Time Event
8:30 a.m. Suspended Air Flotation (SAF) Thickening —— Suitability and Key Performance Drivers in Primary and Blended Solids Thickening Applications Crystal Harness; Caitlin Ruff, Black & Veatch; Cody Manley, John Bennett, Trinity River Authority of Texas; Eric Redmond
9:00 a.m. Thickening - Simple Process, Mixed Results BJ Ward, Mario Benisch, HDR
9:30 a.m. The increase in biogas production and other benefits resulting from SLG-F advanced sludge thickening and sludge conditioning prior to anaerobic digestion at Worcester STW: Results from Severn Trent Water & Orege Clementine Justier, Orege North America; Hannah Belcher, Severn Trent
10:00 a.m. Session Adjourns for Networking and Coffee Break
Alternative Getting Our Poop in a Group: A Biosolids Regionalization Study in New England Eric Spargimino, CDM Smith; Vanessa Borkowski; Karla Sangrey, Upper Blackstone Clean Water; James McCaughey, Narragansett Bay Commission; Joshua Schimmel, Springfield Water & Sewer Commission; Drury Whitlock, Stantec

Top


 

Session 11: Greenhouse Gas Emissions at Wastewater Treatment Plants
Thursday, June 20, 8:30 a.m. - 11:45 a.m.

Time Event
8;30 a.m. Assessing Nitrous Oxide Emissions from a Demonstration-Scale Membrane Bioreactor Process Bruce Mansell, Los Angeles County Sanitation Districts; Ruth Spierling; Raymond Tsai, Ariana Coracero, Los Angeles County Sanitation Districts; Joyce Lehman, Kiersten Melville, Alan Ronn, Metropolitan Water District of Southern California
9:00 a.m. Reduction of Nitrous Oxide Emissions from Biological Nutrient Removal Processes by Thermal Decomposition Philip Pedros, Mott MacDonald; Hameed Metgalchi, Northeastern University; Omid Askari, West Virginia University
9:30 a.m. Evaluating the Sustainability Impacts of Replacing Multiple Hearth Furnaces with High Temperature Fluidized Bed Incinerators and PFAS Regulation Implications on Process Design Michael Theodoulou, Gwyneth Jordan, Veolia Water Technologies & Solutions
10:00 a.m. Networking and Coffee Break
10:45 a.m. Next Generation Digestion for the Fugitive Methane Era Dante Fiorino, Brown and Caldwell; Tom Nangle; Tyler Schweinfurth, City of Columbus
11:15 a.m. Biosolids Planning for an Uncertain Future — How Regulatory Drivers and Technology Developments are Influencing Long-Term Infrastructure Decisions Eric Auerbach, Pranoti Kikale, Arcadis; Andy McClure, City of Toledo
11:45 a.m. Session Adjourns for Luncheon

Top


Session 12: Advancing Anaerobic Digestion
Thursday, June 20, 8:30 a.m. - 11:45 a.m.

Time Event
8:30 a.m. A Regional Resource Recovery Facility Enhances Pinellas County's Approach to Biosolids and Organic Wastes Management Circularity Gunner Mitchell, Pinellas County; Richard Tsang, CDM Smith
9:00 a.m. Comparing conventional anaerobic digestion with an innovative plug-flow digestion technology in North America Andre Visser; Danny Traksel, Eddie Koornneef, Royal HaskoningDHV; Wayne Parker, University of Waterloo
9:30 a.m. Scalability of Anaerobic Digestion: evaluating pilot scale operations for full-scale implementation for Metro Vancouver’s advanced digestion concepts Parisa Chegounian, Metro Vancouver; Christopher Muller, Farokh Kakar, Brown & Caldwell; Michael Yesin, WSP; Lillian Zaremba, Metro Vancouver; Tyler Barber
10:00 a.m. Networking and Coffee Break
10:45 a.m. Going the Extra Mile in Evaluating Digester Mixing Technologies for Existing Digesters Rashi Gupta; Xiaolun Guo
11:15 How does scheduled maintenance affect the digester supervision through modeling? A practical approach Constanza Sadino, Andres Donoso-Bravo, Fernando Zorrilla, Modela; Bastian Valdebenito, Felipe Hansen, ProCycla
11:45 a.m. Session Adjourns for Luncheon
Alternative  

Top


 

Session 13: Thermal Hydrolysis Process
Thursday, June 20, 8:30 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.

Time Event
8:30 a.m. Challenges of Simulating THP for a Real World Full-Scale Application. Are our commercial simulators giving the right message? Thomas Tom Johnson, Adrian Romero, Jacobs; Blake Anderson, Kansas City Water; Julian Sandino, Jacobs
9:00 a.m. Co-digestion and thermally hydrolyzed food waste and waste activated sludge Amr Ismail, Toronto Metropolitan University; Farokh Kakar, Brown & Caldwell; Elsayed Elbeshbishy, Toronto Metropolitan University; George Nakhla, University of Western Ontario
9:30 a.m. Growing Up Together Lessons Learned During Startup: Commissioning Sidestream Deammonification Concurrent with THP Digestion to Meet Strict Recycle Limits Matthew Vanhorne, Hazen and Sawyer; Paul Le Bel; Robert Wierzbicki; Joseph Uglevich
10:00 a.m. Session Adjourns for Networking and Coffee Break
Alternate Alternate: Chemical and Hyper-thermal post-treatment of Anaerobically Digested Cattle Manure for Enhanced Biogas Production Basem Haroun, Mohamed El-Qelish, Western University; Farokh Laqa Kakar; Seyedehfatemeh Kianizadeh, Western University; Christopher Muller, Brown and Caldwell; Katherine Bell, Brown and Caldwell; George Nakhla, University of Western Ontario

Top


 

Technology Spotlight III
Thursday, June 20, 10:15 a.m. - 10:40 a.m

The two exhibitors listed below will each hold a 20-minute presentation each. Participants are invited to attend a different presentation at each of the times listed below. Choose the presentation you would like to attend. Each presentation happens at the exhibitor’s booth. Presentations kick off concurrently at 10:20 a.m. in each of the two booths.

10:15 a.m. Mobile Session Introduction at the entrance to the exhibit hall
10:20 a.m. 2 Simultaneous Presentation A

Booth Event
Booth 604 PRI-TECH®: a chemical pill for biosolids headaches - case studies in peroxide regenerated iron for biosolids applications Ian Watson, USP Technologies
Booth 907 Can (supercritical) water be the solution to our PFAS problem? Sudhakar Viswanathan, 374 Water

Top


 

Session 14: Benefits and Approaches to Moving Dewatering into the Modeling Realm
Thursday, June 20, 10:45 a.m. - 11:45 a.m.

Speakers: Matthew Higgins; David Oerke, Jacobs Engineering; George Sprouse, Metropolitan Council Environ Serv; Zwelani Ngwenya, Jacobs Engineering

Modeling of wastewater treatment processes has advanced significantly in the last 10 years to include numerous different configurations on the liquid side including biochemical oxygen demand, total suspended solids and nutrient removal, membrane systems, and fixed film systems as well as whole plant simulation models that include solids treatment/stabilization such as anaerobic digestion including thermal hydrolysis pretreatment. Based on a WRF funded project and related research, data and approaches were developed to extend these whole plant models to include dewatering to estimate cake solids concentration and estimate the solids to be trucked for beneficial land application and landfilling, or to size downstream solids treatment processes, such as thermal drying and combustion. Being able to predict dewaterability and polymer dose has numerous benefits because the performance of dewatering has a significant impact on the overall economics of the solids treatment processes, and the entire Water Resource Recovery Facility's operational and capital costs. Figure 1 shows a whole plant model from SUMO that includes a final dewatering unit. As a result, understanding the impact of a change in an upstream liquid treatment and solids process on downstream dewatering would help utilities better plan and estimate the full costs of these upstream process changes.

A full agenda for this session is coming soon!

Top


 

Session 15: Dryer
Thursday, June 20, 10:45 a.m. - 11:45 a.m.

Time Event
10:45 a.m. PFAS Assessment of a Rotary Drum Dryer John Ross, Brown and Caldwell; Donald Song
11:15 a.m. Tipping Fees Reach the Tipping Point: The Why, What, and How of the Summerville CPW Biosolids Upgrade Project Micah Miley, Summerville CPW; Thomas Vollmar, KCI Technologies; Anthony Taylor, Harper General Contractors, Environmental Systems Division
11:45 a.m. Session Adjourns for Luncheon
Alternate Thermal Treatment of PFAS with Gasification, Pyrolysis, Incineration, and Supercritical Water Oxidation (SCWO) - What is the Current Status? Levent Takmaz, Veolia; Lloyd Winchell

Top


 

Tour B: City of Edmond-Aerobic Digestion and Dewatering Facility Tour
Thursday, June 20, 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Additional fees apply.

The City of Edmond’s Coffee Creek Water Resource Recovery Plant (CCWRRF) includes preliminary treatment (screening/grit removal), secondary treatment (aeration basins and clarifiers), tertiary treatment (filtration/disinfection), and solids stabilization (sludge lagoons). CCWRRF has been the process of Phase 1 of an expansion and improvements project that includes improvements to the liquid treatment and solids processing facilities that will increase the AAF capacity to 10 mgd and meet the new regulatory limit on nitrate. Modifications include new external anoxic zones and a mixed liquor recycle system to operate the secondary treatment facility with a Modified Ludzack-Ettinger process. The Phase 1 Expansion is anticipated to be completed in 2024 but several elements are already in operation including modifications to the solids processing facilities. The Phase 1 Expansion improvements will decommission the sludge lagoons and replace them with a new train that includes sludge screening, sludge thickening, aerobic digestion, sludge dewatering, and cake storage.

Top


Session 16: Nutrient Considerations and Digestion
Thursday, June 20, 1:30 PM - 3:00 PM

Time Event
1:30 p.m. Phosphorus Sequestration in Biosolids, Nuisance Struvite Control via PAD and Chemical Addition to TH-AD Digestate, and Downstream Effects Caitlyn Harris, HRSD; Maya Garcia; Dana Gonzalez, Carollo Engineers; Christopher Wilson, Arba Williamson, Jeffrey Nicholson; Charles Bott, HRSD
2:00 p.m. Significance of Process Control Strategy in Dynamic Modeling and Optimization of Full-Scale Post Aerobic Digestion (PAD) Sara Arabi, Mehran Andalib, Stantec; Cole Sigmon, Christopher Marks, City of Boulder
2:30 p.m. Anaerobic Digestion with Nutrient Control - What if your Digesters were the Sidestream? Matthew Williams, Thermal Process Systems; Justin Wippo
3:00 p.m. Session Adjourns for Networking and Coffee Break
Alternate Solids processing improvements help utility to achieve nutrient reduction and biosolids goals Toshio Shimada, Corinne Duckworth, Carollo

Top


 

Session 17: Land Application
Thursday, June 20, 1:30 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.

Time Event
1:30 p.m. Evaluation of Innovative Biosolids Management Strategies with Considerations of Circular Water Economy Derya Dursun, Hazen and Sawyer; Yian Sun; Asa Lewis, Hazen and Sawyer; Christian Evans, Sylvis; Mark Teshima; Micah Blate; Mohammad Abu-Orf
2:00 p.m. Sewage Sludge Incinerator Ash as a Phosphorus Fertilizer for Corn and Soybean Carl Rosen, University of Minnesota; Persephone Ma
2:30 p.m. Harnessing biosolids to reclaim mine lands: Case studies from Appalachia Ryan Cherwinski, Denali; Samuel Liebl
3:00 p.m. Session Adjourns for Coffee Break
Alternate Biosolids Land Application Efficiencies Through Automation Nayeli Basulto, Lystek International Inc.; James Dunbar

Top


 

Session 18: Understanding Digester Rheology and Implications for Mixing and Operations
Thursday, June 20, 1:30 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.

Speakers: Rashi Gupta, Carollo; Matthew Higgins, Bucknell University; Mohammad Shallouf, Anaergia; Hao Pham, Ovivo; Erik Larson, Vaughan; Ed Wicklein CarolloSpeakers: Rashi Gupta, Carollo; Matthew Higgins, Bucknell University; Mohammad Shallouf, Anaergia; Hao Pham, Ovivo; Erik Larson, Vaughan; Ed Wicklein Carollo

Anaerobic digestion has become a common process in municipal and industrial wastewater treatment due to the production of high-value products (e.g., biogas) and increased volatile solids reduction which reduces landfilling costs. While anaerobic digestion has been applied for decades, digester stability is often a function of a variety of physical, chemical, and biological parameters. Recently, the importance of digester rheology and mixing have gained focus due to the complexity of the non-Newtonian behavior of digester substrates and difficulty in providing uniform mixing. During this session, presenters will discuss how digester rheology changes with substrates and age and its impact on mixing; the latest developments in modeling digester mixing; and discuss commercial options for more uniform mixing.

A full agenda for this session is coming soon!

Top


Session 19: Carbonization
Thursday, June 20, 1:30 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.

Time Event
1:30 p.m. Pyrolyis Gas Thermal Oxidation: PFAS and Emissions Control Alexandre Miot, Silicon Valley Clean Water; John Ross, Brown and Caldwell; John Norton, Great Lakes Water Authority; Matt Magruder, Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District; Lloyd Winchell; Katherine Bell, Brown and Caldwell
2:00 p.m. The State of Full-Scale Implementation - Biosolids Pyrolysis and Gasification John Ross, DJ Wacker, Brown and Caldwell
2:30 p.m. Intensification of Pyrolysis by Autothermal Operation Robert Brown, Iowa State University; Philip Pedros, Mott MacDonald; Tannon Daugaard, Iowa State University; Adam Hendricks, Philadelphia Water Department
3:00 p.m. Session Adjourns for Coffee Break

Top


 

Session 20: Nutrient Management Innovations
Thursday, June 20, 3:45 p.m. - 4:45 p.m.

Time Event
3:45 p.m. Phosphorus Sequestration and Recovery with Calcium: Validating Chemical Equilibrium and Process Models with Case Studies Sara Arabi, Stantec; Cole Sigmon, Christopher Marks, City of Boulder; Art Umble, Shelley Trujillo, Stantec Inc.; John Gage, City of Longmont; Roberto Luna, Thomas Worley-Morse, Metro Wastewater Reclamation District
4:15 p.m. WRF 5108 Acid+: A Novel Treatment Process Configuration for Simultaneous Process Intensification and Struvite Management Ahmed Abouhend; Christopher Muller, Brown and Caldwell; Chul Park; Dante Fiorino, Brown and Caldwell; Ashwin Dhanasekar, The Water Research Foundation; Natalia Perez, NYCDEP; Krishnamurthy Ramalingam, The City College of New York; Tyler Schweinfurth, City of Columbus
4:45 p.m. Session Adjourns
Alternate A laboratory-scale evaluation of the factors controlling pathogen and indicator organism inactivation under ambient conditions John Harron, Michigan Technological University; Jennifer Becker, Michigan Technological University; Eric Seagren, Michigan Technological University

Top


 

Session 21: Environmental Justice
Thursday, June 20, 3:45 p.m. - 4:45 p.m.

More information about this session is coming soon!


Session 22: Anaerobic Digestion
Thursday, June 20, 3:45 p.m. - 4:45 p.m.

Time Event
3:45 p.m. Investigating the differences of process performance and digestate physical properties between TPAD and conventional mesophilic digestion Matthew Higgins, Labella Associates DPC; Emma Guertin
4:15 p.m. Achieving Class A Biosolids with Staged Thermophilic Anaerobic Digestion Jessica Johnson, Metropolitan Sewer District of Greater Cincinnati; David Parry; Marialena Hatzigeorgiou
4:45 p.m. Session Adjourns

Top


 

 

Session 23: Dryers: The New, the Old, and the Safe
Thursday, June 20, 3:45 p.m. - 4:45 p.m.

Time Event
3:45 p.m. Biosolids Thermal Dryer Safety Fact Sheet - The Fundamentals for Managing Risks of Fires and ExplosionsWebster Hoener;Jody Barksdale, Carollo Engineers
4:15 p.m. Live to Dry Another Day: Low Energy Residuals Drying Paul Knowles
4:45 p.m. Session Adjourns
Alternate New Fluidized Bed Incinerators at the Highland Creek Treatment Plant: Replacing Old Technology with State of the Art Peter Burrowes; Vanessa Carew Jacobs; Rob Deobald, City of Toronto; Heather Partridge, City of Toronto

Top

RBC24-hr.png

Friday, June 21 | Sessions


 

Session 24: Program Drivers: Economics, Regulatory, and Market Considerations
Friday, June 21, 8:30 a.m. - 11:15 a.m.

Time Event
8:30 a.m. The Role of State Regulations on Biosolids Beneficial Use and Disposal Trends Nickolas Hines
9:00 a.m. Biosolids Management and Cryptic Currencies — Net Zero, Emerging Contaminants, and New Biosolids Markets Ruth Roxburgh, Jacobs; Roya Pishgar; Baha Hasasneh, Yangyang Feng, Jacobs; Steven Dimock, EPCOR; David Curran, Jacobs; Saif Molla, EPCOR Water Services
9:30 a.m. Biosolids Solutions Tailored to Fit Small Facilities Micah Blate; Julianne Amenta
10:00 a.m. Networking and Coffee Break
10:15 a.m. Unfreeze & Change: Nationwide Cost Survey Triggered by PFAS Provides Insights on Biosolids Best Management Practices for Clean Water Agencies Henry Croll, Pooja Sinha, Joan Oppenheimer, Nicole Stephens, Stantec; Emily Remmel, NACWA; Donald Ryan; Art Umble, Stantec; Joseph Jacangelo
10:45 a.m. The Results of Replacing a Class A Biosolids Stabilization Technology to Gain Capacity and Save Money Gina MacPhee, Adam Parmenter, HDR
11:15 a.m. Conference Adjourns
Alternate PFAS and Trace Contaminants Challenges to Beneficial Use of Biosolids and Compost James Slaughter

Top


 

Session 25: Energy Management: From Production to Safety
Friday, June 21, 8:30 a.m. - 11:15 a.m.

Time Event
8:30 a.m. A Comprehensive Case Study on Municipality Biogas Utilization: from Production Projection to Technology Selection Yuan Fang, Drury Whitlock, Stantec; Chris Wilson
9:00 a.m. Energy Management at WRRFs - Is Hydrogen a Viable Alternative? Tracy Hodel, City of St. Cloud; Dale Gabel, Samuel Reifsnyder, Carollo Engineers; Brendan Wolohan
9:30 a.m. From Sour to Sweet: Treating Biogas with High H2S Concentrations Bryan Lisk, Hazen and Sawyer; Adam Behr; Karloren Guzman, City of Tampa
10:00 a.m. Networking and Coffee Break
10:15 a.m. Digesters & Biogas - Safety From Hard Lessons-Learned Yasmine Boudhaouia; Matthew Williams, Thermal Process Systems; Keith Albretsen
10:45 a.m. Full-scale demonstration of micro-aeration for hydrogen sulfide control at the Chambers Creek Regional Wastewater Treatment Plant Peter Zemke, Christopher Muller, Karina Woodland, Embrey Bronstad, Brown and Caldwell; Karla Guevarra; Renisha Karki, Lutgarde Raskin, University of Michigan; Vicky Hollingsworth, Brown and Caldwell; George Nakhla; Katherine Bell, Brown and Caldwell; Amanda Summers, Pierce County Public Works and Utilities
11:15 a.m. Conference Adjourns

Top


 

Session 26: Troubleshooting & Optimization
Friday, June 21, 8:30 a.m. - 11:15 a.m.

Time Event
8:30 a.m. Understanding the Stability and Capacity of Full-scale Anaerobic Digesters Using a Bench-scale Test Peter Schauer, Ornella Sosa-Hernandez, Clean Water Services
9:00 a.m. A Beautiful Biosolids Product in the Making: Dewatering Optimization and Aerobic Curing of Thermally Hydrolyzed Solids at HRSD’s Atlantic Treatment Plant Dana Gonzalez, Carollo Engineers; Jeffrey Nicholson, Christopher Wilson, Holly Anne Matel, Charles Bott, HRSD
9:30 a.m. Deployment of a Struvite-Control Optimization System at a Large Wastewater Treatment Plant Chris Hill, Richard Waterous, Jenny Hansen, Kemira Water Solutions Inc.; Leo Pou, Carollo Engineers; Ricardo Colon, Kemira Water Solutions Inc.
10:00 a.m. Networking and Coffee Break
10:15 a.m. Acute Digester Heating Issue Uncovers Chronic Plant Ailment John Maley
10:45 a.m. Reheating of Dried Biosolids: Causes and Mitigation Options for Drying Facilities Sean Murnan, Synagro
11:15 a.m. Conference Adjourns
Alternate Troubleshooting VSR: A Multi—Approach Strategy Towards Significant Operational Savings Giovanna Portiolli; Steven Lockler, McDowell Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant; Maggie Macomber, Charlotte Water; Darrell Dewitt; Muriel Steele
Alternate Using the Capillary Suction Time Test as a Tool to Support Operation of the Dewatering Process Mike Gates, Clean Water Services; Chris Maher; Phoebe Wu, Clean Water Services

Top


 

Session 27: Case Studies & Lessons Learned
Friday, June 21, 8:30 a.m. - 11:15 a.m.

Time Event
8:30 a.m. Biosolids Master Planning in Tulsa, Oklahoma to Develop a Sustainable Biosolids Management Program Todd Williams; Adrian Romero, Thomas Tom Johnson, Lars Ostervold, Jacobs; Matt Vaughan, City of Tulsa
9:00 a.m. Developing a Regional Biosolids Master Plan for the North Shore Water Reclamation District Persephone Ma; Joe Marino, Brown and Caldwell; Steve Waters, North Shore Water Reclamation District; Natalie Sierra, Brown and Caldwell; Travis Vodnik, Emily Prentice, North Shore Water Reclamation District
9:30 a.m. Commissioning of a Modern Centrifuge Solids Dewatering System Mike Gates, Clean Water Services; Chris Maher
10:00 a.m. Networking and Coffee Break
10:15 a.m. Biosolids Pyrolysis and Gasification — Lessons Learned from Early Adopters Jay Surti, Charles Winslow, GHD
10:45 a.m. The Road to Resource Recovery: Equipment Procurement, Natural Gas Utility Negotiations, D3 RINs, and IRA Credits for an Enhanced Energy Recovery Project Eric Auerbach; Jess Rosentel, Capital Region Water; Nick Taylor, Shayla Allen, Arcadis
11:15 a.m. Conference Adjourns
Alternate Preparing for the Future: WAS Only Indirect Thermal Drying at Manchester Creek WWTP C Bullard, Ruth Borgmann, Jacqueline Yeh, Hazen and Sawyer; Meredith Bridwell; Anthony Young, Hazen and Sawyer

Top

Join or Renew Your WEF Membership Today

Connect with our community of water professionals who ensure that our local communities have access to clean water that protects public health. Explore our member benefits and find the membership type that’s right for you.

Join or Renew Online

Visit Our Community Platform

This virtual workspace, called WEFUnity, empowers WEF members to network and collaborate in an online environment.

See what's happening in the Community Platform

EXPLORE ALL PRACTICE AREAS

WEF is a source of high-quality technical resources featuring the latest research, news, and education. WEF's members and other credible resources have created and compiled this information into the Practice Area groupings listed in the dropdown menu.

Water & Wastewater Treatment

More than 16,000 publicly owned water resource recovery facilities operate in the United States. Skilled engineers and operators work together to ensure new and updated facilities continue to protect public health and the environment.

Learn More

Collection Systems and Conveyance

The system of underground pipes and maintenance structures that convey wastewater has brought dramatic improvements to public health. Most sewers carry wastes from households and commercial establishments and are referred to as sanitary sewers.

Learn more

Public Health

The water sector and its systems protect public and ecological health. Using the data that can be collected through smart water technologies provides additional insights to address complex public health issues.

Learn more

Industrial Water Resources

Industries treat and reuse wastewater and process water as well as provide environmentally sustainable wastewater treatment while reducing costs and maintaining value for their businesses.

Learn more

Operations

From hands-on-training and leadership opportunities, such as Operations Challenge, to online training, such as the Wastewater Treatment Fundamentals series, WEF provides operators with many opportunities to advance on-the-job knowledge and develop their careers.

Learn More

Utility Management

To respond to myriad daily challenges faced by water and wastewater utility leaders, WEF continuously works with its members and partners to develop a variety of management initiatives; resources; and educational, training, and networking opportunities.

Learn more

Stormwater & Watershed Management

Take a comprehensive look at how all water resources, including uplands, drainage basins, wetlands, stormwater, surface water, and groundwater interact.

Learn more

Biosolids Resource Recovery

Through biosolids management, solid residue from wastewater treatment is processed to reduce or eliminate pathogens and minimize odors, forming a safe, beneficial agricultural product. Biosolids are carefully monitored and must be used in accordance with regulatory requirements.

Learn More

Government & Regulatory Affairs

WEF advocacy activities aim to educate WEF members and the water sector on public policy issues related to water quality and resources and equip them to play a greater role in water policy discussions.

Learn more