Understanding the Economics of Operating a Thermal Hydrolysis Plant

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    Sludge management accounts for approximately half of the operating costs of wastewater treatment. In addition, sludge processing also requires costly infrastructure.

    By changing properties of sludge, thermal hydrolysis can make better use of existing infrastructure or reduce the needs for equipment for new facilities. Thermal hydrolysis also impacts performance of downstream processing which reduces costs. However, the process requires energy, produces liquors which need treatment and has other impacts on operating cost.

    This presentation highlights the factors contributing to the ownership costs of thermal hydrolysis and how these impact wider biosolids management. The importance of various contributing factors is shown by means of sensitivity analysis.

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    Speakers

    Dr. Bill Barber

    Technical Director

    Dr. Bill Barber is the Technical Director for Cambi Inc. in North America. In this role he develops biosolids projects and assists with research. Prior to this, Bill worked for AECOM in North America and Australia providing consulting services for biosolids projects.

    Previously, Bill worked for the UK’s largest Water Utility – United Utilities, in a variety of strategic, technical, financial and research roles related to biosolids and was instrumental in the development of Europe’s largest thermal hydrolysis project. He has also developed a carbon model for United Utilities and his work is well published in WEF technical bulletin. 

    Bill is a reviewer for several peer review journals and recently an author of IWA’s book on Sludge Thermal Hydrolysis - Application & Potential. Bill has a PhD and degree in Biochemical Engineering from Imperial College, London and is a Chartered Engineer.