Cleaner and greener: An overview of our renewable Energy Facility

The Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District

CLEANER&GREENER O ER TI D N UC R ST

Incineration is a common method of disposal for solid biological material collected during the wastewater treatment process. At our Southerly treatment center, we have begun construction on a new incineration facility to replace aging equipment, conserve resources, generate energy, and reduce air emissions.

Out with the old, in with the new Since 1964, Southerly has operated four multiple-hearth incinerators that burn sewage sludge (known as biosolids). It was effective, but used a lot of natural gas. [continued on back]

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Incineration and innovation

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Our Southerly Wastewater Treatment Center in Cuyahoga Heights incinerates solid biological material collected during the treatment process.

We have begun construction on a new incineration facility that conserves resources, reduces air emissions, and generates electricity.

Known as a fluidized bed incinerator, this facility at the Metropolitan Wastewater Treatment Plant in St. Paul, Minnesota, is similar to what will be erected at our Southerly treatment center. Photo credit: Metropolitan Council Environmental Services

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RENEWABLE ENERGY FACILITY

FAST FACTS PROJECT Renewable Energy Facility (REF) at Southerly Wastewater Treatment Center CHALLENGE Southerly’s incinerators burn solid biological material collected from two NEORSD treatment plants. Its multiple-hearth incinerators are over 45 years old, nearing the end of their useful service life.

REF CONSTRUCTION 2009–2013 REF BENEFITS • Cuts natural gas consumption by 95% • Saves $1-2 million/year in electrical power costs • Reduces greenhouse gas and regulated air emissions

RENEWABLE ENERGY FACILITY @ SOUTHERLY In 2009, NEORSD broke ground on a new facility that will house three new state-ofthe-art fluidized bed incinerators, which burn biosolids more efficiently.

The $170 million project, scheduled for completion in 2013, features many environmentally friendly and cost–effective practices. Some of these benefits are highlighted below.

ENERGY EFFICIENT • Fluidized bed incineration uses only 5% of the natural gas needed for multiplehearth incineration, saving approximately $1 million annually.

IT’S NOT THE SUN. It’s a view of the heated sand inside the fluidized bed incinerator that burns biosolids. The incinerator is sealed, but the photograph was taken through a viewing window.

• By capturing excess heat in the incinerator exhaust gases, the process produces high-pressure steam that can operate a turbine to power 25% of the plant’s electricity, saving $1-2 million annually in electricity costs.

• The REF has been designed to obtain LEED certification from the U.S. Green Building Council. LEED is an internationally recognized green building certification system.

RECYCLING AND POLLUTION REDUCTION • During site preparation in 2009, we recycled concrete and more than 470 tons of structural steel.

• Fluidized bed incinerators will reduce greenhouse gas and regulated air emissions.

Construction on Southerly’s Renewable Energy Facility will continue through 2013. For more information, contact Jennifer Elting at (216) 881-6600.

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