• Onsite Conversion of Sludge to High Energy Fuels
• Doubles Nitrogen Removal Efficiency
• Up to 1,000 Times Smaller Footprint
• Equally Effective as Retrofit or New Construction
• Significantly Reduces Overall Disposal Costs

The STORS/ARP process does not vaporize the water in the sludge (as does incineration, pelletization, etc.), but chemically converts sludge organics into oil.

The STORS/ARP Revolutionary New Concept

Dewatered raw sewage sludge is processed through a hydrothermal reactor where it is converted into a high-energy oil, char, carbon dioxide and wastewater. The char is one-tenth the volume of the original dewatered sludge and can be used as a fuel source on-site or sold to a number of industries as a power source or cheap feedstock. The oil has 90% of the heating value of diesel fuel and is sent to an off-site user or refinery. The carbon dioxide gas is de-odorized and vented. The STORS derived wastewater, along with the centrate stream coming from the dewatering process, is sent to the Ammonia Recovery Process ( see Ammonia Recovery Process heading for detailed description) where the nitrogen, in the form of ammonia, is converted into one of three saleable commodities-ammonium sulfate, ammonium phosphate or liquid ammonia - depending on local regulations, and/or whichever product represents the best commercial value for that geographical location.

Small Size - Easy Fit

The STORS/ARP is a component system that can be readily integrated into existing wastewater treatment facilities, freeing up space once used for sludge digestion, storage or staging area for loading on vehicles for off-site disposal. A key factor for large urban areas where additional capacity expansion is desired but the space required by conventional process methods is simply not available. In addition, by installing a STORS / ARP retrofit, many municipal wastewater plant operators can actually realize up to a 30% increase in plant capacity by eliminating the ammonia recycle.

STORS/ARP Process Economics

It has long been said that there are only two drivers in the municipal wastewater industry: compliance and cost. Aside from being the best available technology for achieving or exceeding local, state and federal regulatory mandates, the STORS/ARP process will in most cases, significantly reduce the overall cost of operating a wastewater treatment plant.

As a retro-fit, the STORS/ARP process significantly increases both the available space and process capacity of existing wastewater treatment plants.

ThermoEnergy's goal is three-fold: To achieve "zero discharge" status for municipal wastewater facilities, and to greatly reduce and stabilize the cost of wastewater processing and enhance our nation's energy independence goals. The STORS / ARP process makes this goal a reality.