Sludge Watch ==> Akron - digester gas project

[Maureen Reilly]

Sludgewatch Admin:
According to staff at the plant, the cost of composting was getting too high 
so they brought in a new system to try out

They leave the sludge in the digester long enough to reduce the sludge 
volume by 50%.  But what do they do with all the sludge that is left over at 
the end?  Well, they say they are going to compost it.  But since the volume 
of sludge is cut in half but the metals all remain, the toxic metal levels 
in the sludge compost would double.


....................................

http://www.wkyc.com/news/regional/akron_article.aspx?storyid=89821

Lydia Esparra

5/19/2008


AKRON -- The city of Akron's sludge plant has been using waste to fuel up 
the plant and so far so good.

The new system has been working since December of 2007.

Biogas is being used to create electricity, said Mark Williamson a spokesman 
for the city of Akron.  "We are the first in the country to use waste to 
create electricity."

The composting plant in Akron handles 1.2 million gallons of sludge every 
week. The city spends nearly $1.3 million for sewage treatment.

The idea came from Mayor Don Plusquellic, who saw a biogas operation in 
Germany.

While biogas is booming in Europe, here in the U.S. it is in its infancy, 
Williamson said.

Akron and KB Compost Services are working together.

The facility in Akron  is similiar to Schmack Biogas AG in Asia and Europe.