Florence Wastewater Treatment Facility Explores Value-Added Biosolids Composting
In 2009, the City of Florence, under the direction of City Public Works Director Mike Miller, commissioned a study to explore treatment methods that could provide value-added processing for the town’s biosolids.
PROJECT DETAILS
Ownership: City of Florence, Oregon
Location: Florence, Oregon
Start-Up: Demonstration Project: 2010 – Phase I: 2012 – Phase II: 2016
Product: SG MOBILE® System with GORE® Cover
Input quantity: 200 tons per batch (100 tons per heap)
No. of Heaps: 2 Heaps, 50 ft. x 20 ft. x 9 ft. each
Treatment Time: 8 weeks in 3 phases
Aeration: In-ground (previously above ground)
Control Parameters: Oxygen Control Mode
Input material: Biosolids
Equipment: Alu Front end mixer for bobcat; Front-end-loader; Rock Screen
End Product: High quality Finished Compost, FloGro Compost
THE SG SOLUTION
A Pilot Program to Prove Value
After investigating various CASP methods, in 2010, the City ran a pilot demonstration project using the SG MOBILE® System with GORE® Cover because it did not require dedicated construction nor hard-wired equipment. The pilot was successful in proving that this system could produce a Class A product, meet pathogen requirements and Vector Attraction Requirements (VAR). The City of Florence also concluded that the SG system provided the most cost effective solution based on a Price-Performance evaluation.
In 2012, the City applied for and was awarded a Lane County Waste Diversion Opportunity Grant for $100,000 to support a small-scale biosolids composting facility. The City of Florence selected Sustainable Generation, LLC to provide an SG MOBILE® System with GORE® Covers utilizing above ground aeration.
The system was implemented in the winter of 2012 by a team from SG and the City of Florence Wastewater Treatment Facility. The system enabled the City of Florence to produce up to 600 tons of Class A biosolids compost per year.
PROJECT GALLERY
The SG MOBILE® Systems with Happy Trash Can
RESULTS DELIVERED
A Sustainable Solution with True Scale
In 2014, the City of Florence moved the SG Mobile® System to a dedicated asphalt pad and installed in-ground aeration piping.
In 2016, the City of Florence added a second SG Mobile® System enabling the operation to produce 1,200 tons of Class A biosolids compost per year.
City of Florence gives the compost away for free to residents of Florence, Oregon. The compost is very high quality, and under the direction of Public Works Director Mike Miller, it has been labeled as FloGro compost. At each giveaway, there has been a line at the gate prior to the giveaway and the product is completely gone within two hours. This illustrates the demand for and quality of the FloGro product.
The City of Florence is exploring the development of a larger scale facility utilizing the same technology.