Full-scale class A biosolids production by two-stage continuous-batch thermophilic anaerobic digestion at the hyperion treatment plant, Los Angeles, California

The City of Los Angeles Hyperion Treatment Plant (HTP) (California) converted its anaerobic digesters to thermophilic operation to produce Class A biosolids. Phase IV tests demonstrated compliance of a two-stage, continuous-batch process with Alternative I of U.S. Environmental Protection Agency 40 CFR Part 503 (U.S. EPA, 1993), which defines the time-temperature requirement for batch treatment (T >= 56.3 degrees C at 16-h holding). Fecal coliforms, Salmonella sp., viable helminth ova, and enteric viruses were not detected in biosolids in the postdigestion train, including the truck-loading facility and the farm for land application as the last points of plant control where compliance is to be demonstrated. The same results were achieved during Phase V tests, after lowering the second-stage holding temperature to 52.6 degrees C to reduce the elevated methyl mercaptan production that was observed during Phase TV. Hence, the Phase V process complied with Alternative 3 of 40 CFR Part 503. Currently, HTP operates its digesters under the same conditions as tested in Phase V. In 2003, monthly monitoring of the biosolids at the truck-loading facility and the farm for land application demonstrated consistent compliance with Alternative 3.