The Management and staff at the Chalfont New Britain Township Joint Sewage Authority (C-NBTJSA) have been collecting information on biosolids management for several years. During this time they have visited several facilities, attended conferences and seminars and read numerous publications on biosolids management. A Biosolids Management Study done by Garvey Resources with input from the board, staff and management, showed that heat drying was the best alternative. The weight reduction alone will save 80% on landfill disposal costs. Better yet, if the product can be sold in bulk as a specialty fertilizer, revenues can be used to offset operating costs. C-NBTJSA purchased a 5 million BTU/hr Fenton Dryer with a capacity to process 1 wet ton per hour. Installation and start-up is planned for September, 2003. Initial sales calls to market the material have generated a lot of enthusiasm among potential customers. They like the fact that the nitrogen is released slowly over the growing season and that it is 70% organic matter. One local public works director said he could save $650 in delivery costs by picking the material up at the plant rather than paying for delivery of a similar product. Pricing on the product has not yet been established. |
