TWO enormous marvels of modern technology created in the depths of Germany’s Black Forest are about to arrive in Logan.
Loganholme Wastewater Treatment Plant will become Australia’s first biosolids gasification facility – turning human waste into fertiliser which can be used on farms.
And to complete the task, two sewage sludge dryers, weighing 34 tonnes each, will be installed.
The industrial-strength dryers have been built by Dutch company ELIQUO in their German factory.
It took nearly five months to build the dryers, which are larger than a shipping container at 18 metres long and 3.5 metres wide.
They were then trucked through the narrow streets of Bonndorf in the state of BadenWurttemberg to port.
They are currently being shipped to Australia and should arrive in August for assembly.
Cr Teresa Lane said the dryers are another mindboggling component of the biosolids gasification project.
“Council has been looking at emerging technology as part of the project since officers first drew up plans to build the gasifier,” Cr Lane said.
“I think it’s great they are pushing the boundaries on emerging environmental and innovative ideas that save residents money in the long run.
“The dryers are an engineering feat given their size and the challenges posed by testing and transporting them during Covid-19.
“Once they arrive in our city, they will be assembled along with the many other components required to bring the gasifier online.
“This is an Australian-first and I’m confident we will achieve great outcomes for all the hard work put in.”
Last year the City of Logan partnered Pyrocal and Downer to successfully trial a process of thermally treating sewage sludge (biosolids) to produce biogas.
The Loganholme Gasification Project is expected to come online mid-2022 later this year and is designed to reduce CO2 output by about 4800 tonnes annually and prevent organic pollutants from entering the soil.
