Finding Energy in Biosolids

Presentation 1:  Sustainable Biosolids Management with Thermal Drying and Co-Digestion, Sharon Foley, HRRSA and DJ Wacker, RK&K

In late 2019, the Harrisonburg-Rockingham Regional Sewer Authority (HRRSA) commissioned a new thermal dryer system to produce Class A E/Q biosolids at its 22 MGD North River WWTF. HRRSA also utilizes co-digestion of high strength waste and heat recovery to leverage its digester gas for fueling the dryer system, which requires zero supplemental propane. This presentation will discuss project goals and drivers, project planning, operations and maintenance considerations, beneficial use of the new Class A product and lessons learned from both the Owner’s and Engineer’s perspective.

Sharon Foley, PE, is the Executive Director for HRRSA which provides wholesale wastewater treatment services to 5 municipal jurisdictions in the central Shenandoah Valley of Virginia. HRRSA serves a population of approximately 80,000 residents, owns and operate the North River WWTF and discharges enhanced nutrient removal quality effluent to the Chesapeake Bay watershed.

 DJ Wacker, PE, is a Project Manager for RK&K which was the prime consultant for HRRSA’s Enhance Biosolids Reuse and Reduction project. DJ’s experience is concentrated in the planning, design and construction of wastewater treatment plants. His biosolids experience includes evaluation and design of thickening, anaerobic digestion, dewatering, drying and digester gas conditioning and utilization processes.

 Presentation 2:  From Planning to Fruition – Realizing Howard County’s Goals for Biosolids Utilization, Josh Gliptis, Howard County, MD & John Maley, HDR 

Mr. Gliptis is a Maryland Professional Engineer and Licensed Water/Wastewater Operator with over 21 years’ experience in the water sector. He earned his BS in Geo-Environmental Engineering from Penn State University and is currently employed at Howard County Department of Public Works, Bureau of Utilities.  Josh has been with Howard County for over 7 years and is in the Technical Services Division of the Bureau of Utilities. His principal responsibilities are technical support of the County's water and wastewater facilities and project management.

Mr. Maley is a Professional Engineer with HDR in their Fulton, Maryland office. He has over 15 years’ experience in wastewater treatment design and has been with HDR for the past 6. His responsibilities include project management, construction management, startup and operational assistance, and process design. He is a graduate of the Catholic University of America with a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering.

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