ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY


ADVANCING A NEW CROP THAT'S EARTH- AND BUSINESS-FRIENDLY

SUPPORTING FISH AND WILDLIFE AND $3.6 BILLION IN RECREATION
TRANSFORMING WASTE PRODUCTS INTO BIOFUEL
When a city treats its wastewater, dealing with the sludge can account for up to 50 percent of operating costs. Now, instead of landfilling or otherwise wasting the sludge, many facilities are making biogas from it. OARDC scientists studied a pretreatment step called controlled-flow hydrodynamic cavitation, which can further break down sludge and boost production of biogas. Cleveland-based Arisdyne Systems Inc. and municipal wastewater treatment plants in Lima, Wooster and Rocky River have all been involved. Together, the team hopes to make wastewater treatment more efficient, take pressure off landfills and produce even more eco-friendly biofuel.
