Novel pyrolysis technology
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.
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.