Biosolids

Biosolids

Biosolids management is getting ever increasing attention for several reasons including the reduction in available land application sites due to agricultural development; the escalating concern about emerging contaminants such as PFAS, pharmaceuticals and microplastics; and the local/regional concern of nutrient application in the Chesapeake Bay watershed.   PFAS especially has been getting significant attention with the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) proposing new limits in various areas including drinking water MCLs and extremely low health advisory levels. 

The EPA has identified wastewater treatment plants and their sludge as known sources of PFAS.  This prompted the State of Maine to prohibit the land application of biosolids with legislation passed in April 2022.  With these current trends, generators across the country are looking for alternative management solutions for their waste that responsibly reduces and/or eliminates PFAS – enter Earthcare Solutions.

The patented Earthcare thermochemical separation process, separates the volatiles, including PFAS, from the base solid carbon. 

The thermal processing of biosolids has been recognized by the EPA as a control technology for managing PFAS concerns while still beneficially converting the baseline carbon making up the biosolids into a biochar.  The patented Earthcare thermochemical separation process, separates the volatiles, including PFAS, from the base solid carbon.  The volatiles are then combusted at high temperature to break down and destroy the compounds while capturing the resulting heat for reuse in the feedstock drying process.  Earthcare’s gasification technology does not require any supplemental heating by outside fuels as the energy in the feedstocks drives the circular drying and biochar generation process making it a climate-friendly technology.  Combine this with the carbon sequestration and the remedial effects of the produced biochar, the result is a circular waste management solution that is unmatched in the industry.

The Earthcare Solution

Our Key Differentiators in Biosolids Management