The emission of greenhouse gases has become one of the rising concerns around the globe as it leads to the climate change issues. Greenhouse gases can be directly and/or indirectly emitted from the wastewater treatment operations. Carbon Dioxide, Methane, and Nitrous Oxide (N2O) gas are emitted directly during the biological process and are emitted indirectly from energy generation. In the United States of America, greenhouse gas from wastewater treatment facilities contribute up to 10% of total greenhouse gas generated.

Bioslurry Injection disposal techniques proposed to inject the wastewater slurry into a deep formation are separated from the Underground Source of Drinking Water (USDW) by high stress and a low permeability barrier. The high temperature and pressure at subsurface level digests the slurry anaerobically and degrades into CH4, CO2 and other gases, which are sequestered thousands of feet below the surface. This will lead to zero emission into the atmosphere. A slurry injection site at the City of Los Angeles city is a prime example of this technology. The City of Los Angeles currently disposes approximately 20% of biosolids produced by the city. It also eliminates nearly 3,000,000 metric tons of CO2 equivalent emissions, along with over 2,000,000 truck miles each year.

Primary Author / Conference Presenter:
Omar Abou-Sayed
Advantek Waste Management Services
Houston, Texas, USA

Co-Authors:
Yashese Panchal, Advantek Waste Management Services, Houston, TX
Ibrahim Mohamed, Advantek Waste Management Services, Houston, TX