Hoener, Webster

Webster is a graduate of the University of Missouri with a degree in mechanical engineering and has 35 years of experience with biosolids digestion,...

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About Hoener, Webster

Webster is a graduate of the University of Missouri with a degree in mechanical engineering and has 35 years of experience with biosolids digestion, thermal drying, and incineration projects working for Black & Veatch. Throughout his career he has taken a special interest in energy recovery and safety.

Hoener, Webster

Titles from this speaker

Description: Biosolids Thermal Dryer Safety Fact Sheet - The Fundamentals for Managing Risks of...

Biosolids Thermal Dryer Safety Fact Sheet - The Fundamentals for Managing Risks of Fires and Explosions

Abstract

Since the 1920s, thermal drying has produced easily handled, virtually pathogen-free biosolids that promote the beneficial use of nutrients present in wastewater solids. However, thermal-drying systems can be hazardous to operate. Managing this sometimes friable, combustible, and self-heating product can be a challenging task for operators, and some components of a dryer system can be at risk of fire or explosion. Recent reports of incidents at biosolids drying facilities underscore the benefits of information covering the fundamentals of the hazards and the means to provide safety for personnel and prevent interruption of solids treatment. To bring awareness to this hazard and mitigation measures, the WEF Biosolids Bioenergy Subcommittee Thermal Dryer Task Force developed and published a Biosolids Thermal Dryer Safety Fact Sheet. The safety fact sheet is directed to persons involved with operating, maintaining, and designing biosolids thermal dryers and reviews the fire and explosion safety hazards associated with thermal drying of biosolids and offers both prevention and mitigation measures to address these hazards at water resource recovery facilities. It also summarizes applicable codes and identifies additional resources that may be consulted for further research, education, and remediation. This paper will review and supplement information in the Safety Fact Sheet. The first section will cover explosion and fire safety hazards related to drying biosolids, including: - Why do thermal-dried biosolids pose risks for fires and explosions? - What factors increase the risk for fires and explosions? - What dryer components pose heightened risk? (Shown in Table 1) The second section will cover protection measures to prevent fires and explosions, such as inerting, temperature control, and water and chemical suppression, as well as mitigation measures to minimize hazards to personnel and damage to equipment, such as deflagration venting and isolation of equipment. The third section will cover industry standards and regulations with special focus on applicable NFPA standards as shown in Table 2. The paper will conclude with information on additional resources for understanding the hazards and design and operational guidance for preventing and mitigating those hazards.

This paper was presented at the WEF Residuals and Biosolids Conference, June 18-21, 2024.

SpeakerHoener, Webster

Presentation time

15:45:00

16:15:00

Session time

15:45:00

16:45:00

SessionDryers: The New, the Old, and the Safe

Session number23

Session locationOklahoma City Convention Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

TopicDrying, Health And Safety Issues, Thermal drying

Author(s)

Hoener, Webster

Author(s)W. Hoener1, J. Barksdale2

Author affiliation(s)Black & Veatch 1; Carollo Engineers 2;

SourceProceedings of the Water Environment Federation

Document typeConference Paper

PublisherWater Environment Federation

Print publication date Jun 2024

DOI10.2175/193864718825159434

Volume / Issue

Content sourceResiduals and Biosolids Conference

Word count17

Dryer Burner Upgrade to Utilize Landfill Gas and Increase Use of Renewable Energy

Abstract

A landfill gas (LFG) turbine facility at the Jones Island Water Reclamation Facility (JIWRF) that produces electricity and heat for treatment processes is a major component of the Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District’s (MMSD’s) overall sustainability plan. The LFG turbine facility is not always able to use all the LFG produced by the landfill due to operational constraints and maintenance cycles. In 2021 MMSD upgraded four of their twelve biosolids thermal dryers to use LFG, to increase the use of existing LFG supplies and the overall percentage of renewable energy used while reducing operating costs and greenhouse gases. Conversion of the dryers included installation of new dual fuel burners able to use either LFG or natural gas (NG) and LFG piping to connect to the existing LFG supplies. This project allows MMSD to use an estimated additional 18.6 million kWh (63,400 MMBtu) of LFG per year at JIWRF, reducing the use of NG by the same amount

In 2021 the Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District (MMSD) upgraded four of their biosolids thermal dryers to use LFG, to increase the use of existing LFG supplies and the overall percentage of renewable energy used while reducing operating costs and greenhouse gases. This project allows MMSD to use an estimated additional 18.6 million kWh (63,400 MMBtu) of LFG per year at the Jones Island Water Reclamation Facility, reducing the use of natural gas by the same amount.

SpeakerDiehl, David

Presentation time

16:30:00

16:50:00

Session time

15:30:00

17:00:00

SessionOptimizing Energy Investments Part II: Energy Use is in the Details

Session locationRoom S402b - Level 4

TopicEnergy Production, Conservation, and Management, Facility Operations and Maintenance, Intermediate Level, Utility Management and Leadership

Author(s)

Diehl, David

Author(s)D. Diehl 1; W. Hoener 2 ; E. Plinke 3; C. Solberg 3; D. Diehl 1; A. Scrivner 4;

Author affiliation(s)Black & Veatch 1; Black & Veatch 2 ; Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District 3; Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District 3; Black & Veatch 1; AES Engineering 4;

SourceProceedings of the Water Environment Federation

Document typeConference Paper

PublisherWater Environment Federation

Print publication date Oct 2023

DOI10.2175/193864718825159042

Volume / Issue

Content sourceWEFTEC

Word count14

Base text size -

Hoener, Webster

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