Technology for mixed organic streams decontamination

The rapid steam thermal hydrolysis of solid waste is an important technology for the decontamination of mixed organic streams going to processing facilities in California, particularly in the context of compliance with Senate Bill 1383 (SB 1383). This bill, enacted in 2016, mandates significant reductions in organic waste disposal to combat climate change and improve air quality. Here are several key points highlighting the importance of rapid steam thermal hydrolysis in this context:

### 1. **SB 1383 Requirements**

SB 1383 sets ambitious targets for the reduction of organic waste in landfills, aiming for a 50% reduction by 2020 and a 75% reduction by 2025. It also mandates the recovery of at least 20% of currently disposed edible food for human consumption by 2025. To achieve these goals, significant improvements in the processing and management of organic waste streams are necessary.

### 2. **Decontamination and Pathogen Reduction**

Mixed organic streams often contain contaminants and pathogens that can pose risks to public health and safety. Rapid steam thermal hydrolysis effectively decontaminates these streams by breaking down complex organic molecules and destroying harmful microorganisms. This ensures that the resulting material is safe for further processing, whether for composting, anaerobic digestion, or other recovery methods.

### 3. **Enhanced Biogas Production**

By breaking down complex organic materials into simpler compounds, rapid steam thermal hydrolysis can enhance the efficiency of anaerobic digestion processes. This leads to increased biogas production, providing a renewable source of energy that can be used to generate electricity or heat. Enhanced biogas production also contributes to the diversion of organic waste from landfills, in line with SB 1383’s targets.

### 4. **Improved Resource Recovery**

The process of rapid steam thermal hydrolysis not only decontaminates but also pre-treats organic waste, making it more amenable to various recovery processes. This improves the overall efficiency of resource recovery facilities, enabling them to extract more value from the waste stream. This aligns with the objectives of SB 1383 to reduce waste and increase the recovery of organic materials.

### 5. **Compliance and Regulatory Benefits**

Compliance with SB 1383 requires municipalities and waste management facilities to adopt advanced technologies that can meet the stringent requirements for organic waste reduction and recovery. Rapid steam thermal hydrolysis provides a reliable and effective method to comply with these regulations, ensuring that facilities can meet their mandated targets while minimizing environmental impact.

### 6. **Environmental and Economic Benefits**

Implementing rapid steam thermal hydrolysis contributes to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions by diverting organic waste from landfills and reducing methane production. Additionally, the process can generate valuable by-products such as biogas and nutrient-rich digestate, which can be used as a fertilizer. These benefits not only support environmental sustainability but also create economic opportunities through the sale of renewable energy and recovered materials.

### Conclusion

Rapid steam thermal hydrolysis plays a crucial role in the decontamination and efficient processing of mixed organic waste streams in California, facilitating compliance with SB 1383. By enhancing pathogen reduction, improving biogas production, and supporting resource recovery, this technology helps municipalities and waste management facilities meet their regulatory obligations while contributing to broader environmental and economic goals.