Waste to energy is the way forward in converting biosolids into biogas.
Biosolids are the byproduct of wastewater treatment process, in this case that of Maynilad Water Services which supplies water and provides wastewater services to the 17 cities and municipalities that comprise the West Zone of Metro Manila.
Dr. Mario Rebosura, a Filipino scientist in Australia, has looked at pilot technologies that can transform biosolids into a source of renewable energy.
Maynilad is the first water utility to participate in the Balik Scientist Program (BSP) which promotes the exchange of scientific knowledge to advance technology in the country via Filipino scientists in other countries to return home and share their knowledge and expertise.
BSP promotes information exchange and accelerates the flow of new and critical research and development into the country by inviting Filipino (or of Filipino descent) experts abroad to lend their knowledge and skills locally.
The program’s objective is to strengthen and increase the scientific and technological manpower of academia, government and other private institutions throughout the country, thereby spurring national progress.
This way, Filipino scientists, technologists and experts are encouraged to return to the country.
They are urged to share their expertise to promote scientific, agro-industrial and economic development. This includes the development of human resources in science, technology and innovation.
Some 664 scientists have participated in the BSP from 1975 to 2024.
Rebosura was seconded to Maynilad where he spent six months to share innovative approaches in biosolids management and fine-tune Maynilad’s ongoing study of waste-to-energy technologies. The idea is to reduce the environmental impact of biosolid disposal while also providing opportunities for energy generation.
He also contributed to experimental planning, analysis of operational data and development of research publications.
Rebosura developed case studies on the translation and application of sustainable waste management technologies within the Philippines, including identification of major challenges that limit application.
“As part of our commitment to environmental stewardship, Maynilad constantly seeks ways to reduce waste and promote circular economy principles,” said Ramoncito Fernandez, Maynilad president and chief executive officer.
“This partnership with the Balik Scientist Program allowed us to address the challenge of biosolid disposal while tapping into renewable energy solutions, which can benefit both our operations and the environment,” he added.
The Department of Science and Technology’s Philippine Council for Industry, Energy and Emerging Technology Research and Development facilitated Rebosura’s stint at Maynilad.
The Maynilad Integrated Sludge Management Study recommends the improvement of operational procedures and utilizing the infrastructure already in place for sludge management.
Towards this goal, Maynilad will look at technological advancements in dewatering and volume reduction to lower hauling costs from both new and existing facilities.
Sludge analysis testing and pilot-scale tests on new technologies will be undertaken to ascertain the suitability of dewatered sludge.
Rebosura tweaked the refinements of the study. He looked at innovative ways to close the loop in biosolids management by fusing concepts from the circular economy with state-of-the-art anaerobic digestion technology.
His expertise includes the management of sludge and biosolids. His research involves enhanced anaerobic digestion capacities with biogas and biosolids.
A chemical engineering graduate of the University of the Philippines Los Baños, he has as a doctorate degree in chemical and environmental engineering from the University of Queensland, and a Master’s degree from the Catholic University of Korea.
He is an adjunct research fellow at the Australian Centre for Water and Environmental Biotechnology, University of Queensland.
Wastewater treatment produces biosolids that need to be properly managed. By 2037, Maynilad’s wastewater facilities are expected to generate 484 tons of dry sludge per day.
To improve the operations and management of sludge, Maynilad needs to explore technological advances, including alternative disposal routes, Rebosura said.
“This will hopefully help the company make sludge by-products beneficial and maximized to many sustainable end-uses and disposal routes,” he said.”¯
Anaerobic digestion technology is one of the promising technologies used to manage biosolids. “This process converts the organic carbon in the waste to methane-rich biogas that can be recovered to produce energy,” Rebosura said.
“Maynilad would like to develop this technology to reduce waste going into landfills and for water utilities to be energy independent. This circular economy approach towards effective biosolids management is a step forward for the Philippines in joining the rest of the world on the road to decarbonization,” Rebosura added.
