TWO massive sewage sludge dryers, weighing 34 tonnes each, have found their way to the city’s Biosolids Gasification Project.
The project is an Australia-first recycling mission, ultimately aiming to turn sewage into biochar, a solid product which can be used by farmers as fertiliser.
The dryers are an integral component of a gasifier that will make the biochar. Once the gasifier is online, it will cut council’s carbon dioxide output by 4800 tonnes a year and prevent organic pollutants from entering the soil.
Last year, project partners Pyrocal and Downer successfully trialled a process of thermally treating sewage sludge (biosolids) to produce biogas.
The biogas is used as a renewable energy source to heat and dry remaining biosolids, turning it into biochar.
The dryers, made in Germany by Dutch company ELIQUO, arrived at the Port of Brisbane last month and have been craned into place at the Loganholme Waste Water Treatment Plant.
“This is a pioneering project that has captured global attention for its innovative approach to reducing carbon emissions,” Mayor Darren Power said.
“Each milestone brings us closer to completion of this ambitious project and cements council’s reputation as a local government leader in combating climate change.”
City Infrastructure chair Teresa Lane said it was an exciting time for the team at Logan Water.
“The preparation and planning that has gone into the delivery and installation of the dryers has been months in the making,” Cr Lane said.
“It was a truly international project that had to overcome obstacles such as distance and time zones as well as the impacts of a global pandemic.
“With this hurdle cleared, Council, Logan Water and our delivery partners can now assemble this marvel of modern engineering.”
The Loganholme Gasification Project is expected to come online by mid-2022.
