1. How MWRD Biosolids and Composted Biosolids Program Fits in the Bio Based Circular Economy ?
Kuldip Kumar, Ph.D
Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago
Phone:
Ahmad Laban, Biosolids Manager,
Dominic Brose, Dr. Solids,
Tom Kunetz, Energy Neutrality,

2. CONCLUSIONS
If you are composting, any type - you are doing GOOD for environment, society, & sustainability; you get 70/100.
If you are able to introduce anaerobic digestion for all easily biodegradable waste (food scraps, FOG etc), capturing energy in the form of biogas, and then making compost of digestate – you are doing GREAT; you get 100/100.
At MWRD Chicago – We are doing GREAT things with our Resources Recovery Program and our goal of becoming UTILITY OF THE FUTURE.

3. Biosolids, Fertilizers, Compost, & Manure
Total Land in US – 2.3 Billion Acres
Under Agriculture – 315 Million Acres
0.2% Ag Land Receives Biosolids
7 Million Ton
Biosolids
30 Million Ton
Compost
Fertilizer
55 Million Ton
Manure
140 Million Ton
7 % Ag Land Receives Manure

4. Compost and Sustainability
Soil Health Management - National Advocacy
A roadmap for collective action to secure the conservation and economic benefits of healthy soils
Using soil health principles and systems- Improve C sequestration, wildlife and pollinator habitat, crop yields and profits

5. Compost and Sustainability
Recovered Resources
MWRD biosolids
Organic materials – wood chips, yardwaste, etc.
Value-added Product – Compost
Soil Quality Benefits
Soil health & physical properties, water infil. & retent.
Soil fertility, nutrient use
Environmental Benefits
Increase conservation, ecosystem services
Reduce GHG, landfilling, chemical use, nutrient loss
Socio-Economic Benefits
Increase productivity, green space, jobs, well-being
Reduce O&M costs

6. EQ Biosolids Compost – An Exception
In 2015 the IL Environmental Protection Act was amended to adopt federal standards for Exceptional Quality (EQ) biosolids and biosolids products
“EQ biosolids and compost are recovered resources, not sludge, not waste”
MWRD Windrow Compost
Midlothian Greenspace

7. Current Biosolids Distribution Programs
2016 Biosolids Utilization (total 105,000 DT)
Pelletizer (35%)
(contracted land
application)
Farmland
(44%)
Urban land (13%)
Landfill
Cover (8%)
The MWRD’s goal is 100% beneficial reuse of biosolids.
We have developed a diversified approach to bioslids distribution,
With final application done through a combination of pellets, farmland application, urban land application, and landfill cover.
3,400 tons P ,200 tons N ,300 tons C

8. The Challenge

9. IPCC Conclusions
Warming of the climate system Increasing in global average air and ocean temperatures Rising global average sea level Reductions of snow and ice
Warmest 12 years on record

10. is dominated by fossil fuels.
The current global energy system
is dominated by fossil fuels.
Shares of energy sources in total global primary energy supply in 2008

12. Urban Metabolism LINEAR METABOLISM CIRCULAR METABOLISM Goods Water
Fuel
Timber
Food
Waste
Gasses
Solid waste
Liquid waste
CITY
INPUTS
OUTPUTS
CIRCULAR METABOLISM
FARMBELT
Goods
Water
Fuel
Timber
Food
Waste
Gasses
Solid waste
Liquid waste
CITY
INPUTS
FARMBELT
OUTPUTS

13. 3Rs - Education and AR campaigns for schools, general public , all stakeholders - most cost effective; income and employment generation
Address growing Consumerism by refusing to buy new commodities

14. MWRD Resource Recovery Ordinance (September 1st, 2016)
Receive Bio-waste for many beneficial uses:
Enhanced Biological Phosphorus (P) Removal from Wastewater to Meet NPDES Effluent P Limits
Energy Neutrality Goals – Biogas/Anaerobic Digestion
Composting Biosolids w/Wood Chips, Yard Waste, and other Bio-waste to Make Class A Exceptional Quality (EQ) Biosolids Compost

15. Energy States of Carbon: All About Biorecycling
Reduction (gaining e- )
Photo
synthesis
Carbon dioxide
Anaerobic digestion
CH4
(CH2O)n
CO2
methane
Org C (biomass)
Fully
reduced
Fully
oxidized
Combustion, respiration
Oxidation (losing e- )
Methane
biomass
Carbon dioxide
Energy
rich
moderate
none
Redox state -4
In between +4
COD (energy)
4 g OD/g (180.4 Wh /g)
Typically 1-3 g OD/g
zero

16. Carbon Flow in Biosphere
CO2
C – Soil
Methane
Energy Recovery\BiosolidsCompost
Compost Biosolids
Biosolids
Org. Biomass

17. Bio-based Circular Economy
Fertilizer
Biosolids
Compost
Compost
Fertilizer
Manure
Manure
Compost
Biosolids/
Composted-biosolids

18. Imports Landfills C I B D O I G R E E S A T I N O A N C T O S M O P
Reduce Imports of Energy Dense Fertilizers
Reduce Imports of Fossil Fuels C
RURAL
AREAS
CITIES I B D O I G R E E S
Organic Waste
Food waste
Yard waste
Ag. Residues A T I N O A N C
Bio refineries
Biogas T
Nutrient Cycle O S M O P
X Compostable Organic Waste
X Compostable Inorganic Waste (Gypsum Board etc.)
Landfills

19. How MWRD Biosolids and Composted Biosolids Program Fits in the Bio Based Circular Economy ?
LET US DEVELOP A PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP TO DEVELOP A BIO BASED CIRCULAR ECONOMY IN CHICAGOLAND AND PROTECT OUR ENVIRONMENT AND OUR FUTURE
Kuldip Kumar, Ph.D
Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago
Phone:
Ahmad Laban, Biosolids Manager,
Dominic Brose, Dr. Solids,
Tom Kunetz, Energy Neutrality,