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Biosolids Composting Facility

Facility uses waste heat from a fuel cell to produce electricity for the plant.

The town of Fairfield has the only remaining wastewater treatment plant, biosolids composting facility in Connecticut. Fairfield has committed to continue the beneficial use of wastewater treatment biosolids and yard waste.

The original compost facility included a six agitated bin compost facility with a design capacity of 40 wet tons per day.

A major upgrade was completed which incorporated a variety of modern innovations to improve the facility and address issues regarding corrosion, odors, poor ventilation and aging and failing equipment. These innovative improvements include:

  • a new 304 Stainless Steel Building
  • high-speed open/close Mylar doors
  • positive ventilation system
  • compost pile moisture irrigation system
  • utilization of waste heat from an existing 200KW fuel cell
  • new controls, equipment and  new electrical conduit and wiring
  • roof is designed to accommodate solar voltaic cells

Wright-Pierce provided the design, bidding, construction administration, inspection and construction coordination for this upgrade project.

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Project Highlights

Background

  • Only remaining composting facility in CT
  • First agitated bin facility in United States
  • Capacity of 5,000 wet tons of biosolids per year
  • Revenues on end product shared with town
  • Fuel cell installed

Challenges

  • Incompletely stabilized end product
  • Deteriorating steel building
  • Poor atmospheric interior conditions and ventilation
  • Antiquated equipment and control systems

Solutions

  • New 304 stainless steel building
  • Positive ventilation system
  • Use waste heat from fuel cell
  • Moisture irrigation system
  • New thermocouples, controls, agitator and aeration blowers