posted October 30, 2007
A Chattanooga firm will use city sludge in an experiment on creating biodiesel fuel from burning the sludge along with wood chips.
The City Council on Tuesday night approved a six-month contract with GSL Energy Solutions.
Gerry Harstine, president, said the bio-diesel produced by the process has a higher BTU than ethanol.
He said it can be used to power industrial boilers and high-speed, off-road diesel engines. He said further testing is needed to determine if it can work for other uses.
The firm will operate from a 100x200 facility at the Summit Landfill.
City public works will deliver the sludge to that site.
Mr. Harstine said the process can produce 2,000 gallons of the fuel from 60 wet tons of sludge. The city produces about 400 wet tons per day.
The city over the years has been seeking solutions that will cut down on the amount of sludge going to the landfill.
Mr. Harstine said he showed the produce to Don Brock of Astec Industries "and he said it is much better than the fuel they are using to power their plants."
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