Sludge Watch ==> Maryland - Lehigh Cement storing sludge - burning it in kiln

[Maureen Reilly]

Sludgewatch Admin:

It is a bad idea to burn sewage sludge in a cement kiln.

For one thing - Cement kilns have no emissions controls to capture the 
mercury that is found in sewage sludge...so they release all the mercury 
into the air (rather like land application).


And - sewage sludge is high in phosphoric acid which can corrupt the quality 
of cement - reducing strength and changing the set up time.

Sludge is going to cement kilns in California and in Maryland.  Bad idea.

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http://www.carrollcountytimes.com/articles/2007/09/21/news/local_news/newsstory9.txt


Permanent sludge storage approved

The permanent storage of treated sewage sludge is now permitted in the 
county with the passage of a zoning amendment by the Carroll County Board of 
Commissioners Thursday.

A temporary zoning ordinance was in place for the past two years to allow 
Lehigh Cement Co. to store the biosolids at the Union Bridge site.

The company uses the dried treated sludge to replace some of the coal in its 
cement making process.

After passing recent air pollution tests, the company is seeking a permanent 
operating permit with the state.