Grant: Engage Grants Program

Charlottetown Pollution Control Plant (CPCP) treats approximately 7 million cubic meters of wastewaterannually producing roughly 3700 tonnes of bio-solids. Presently, the solids are pre-pasteurized, anaerobicallydigested and dewatered producing biogas and class-A biosolid. The biosolid thus produced is then taken awaywith a tipping fee of $35/ton. The biogas is combusted in a boiler to provide heat needed for pasteurization andspace heating. CPCP would like to determine other high value use of biosolid that can generate revenue toplant. One of the options that have high significance to the province of Prince Edward Island is to convert thesolid into biochar and apply it to the fields for soil remediation. It increases the organic level in soil. It alsoholds the nutrients and water contributing towards their efficient use, one of the pressing needs for agriculturalsector in PEI. Secondly, the direct application of biochar on soil prevents equivalent amount of carbon dioxideemission, contributing to cleaner environment. Therefore, turning biosolid into biochar can generate newstream of high value product. The proposed research investigates the yield and properties of biochar and liquidextract from digested and un-digested biosolids for possible soil application.