Novel pyrolysis technology for biosolids management

Managing biosolids is a pressing issue for the Victorian water industry. As urban sprawl and population growth render the current system unsustainable, IWN is investigating solutions through our biosolids program.

A pictorial representation
of the pilot plant

Left: Side view. Right: Back view.

Our program includes a Biosolids to Biochar Project, in collaboration with RMIT University. It is based on using a novel pyrolysis purpose-built system, developed by the RMIT team, to convert biosolids into smart carbon materials (called biochar).

RMIT’s team of engineers and scientists has worked with our project team – based mainly at South East Water and Western Water – to progress the technology through lab and semi-pilot trial stages.

The technology has the potential to yield significant benefits, such as:

• Processing biosolids on site and significantly reducing their volume

• Transforming biosolids into high-value biochar

• Reducing greenhouse gas emissions by sequestering the carbon from biosolids

• Reducing the overall cost of biosolids management

• Minimising or eliminating the adverse environmental impact of current and emerging contaminants present in biosolids

The next stage is to run a full pilot trial at Western Water’s Melton treatment plant, once it is safe to do so in line with coronavirus (COVID-19) restrictions.