11 Sludge Hygienisation—A Novel Technology for Urban Areas …
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received; however, the amount of the sludge may vary depending on the quality of
the wastewater. There were about 10 sedimentation tanks full of solid waste, with
well-grown vegetation on some of them. The sedimentations tanks have high loads
of deadly pathogens (viz. E. coli, B. coli, Fecal Streptococci) and physical access to
the tanks is strictly restricted owing to potential health hazards they pose. Looking at
these scenarios, it will be reasonable to mention that a sludge hygienisation facility
is the need of the hour in the city of Bengaluru. The model followed by Ahmedabad
Municipal Corporation (AMC) can be replicated in Bengaluru to ensure smooth
installation and operation of the sewage sludge hygienisation facility. However, the
municipal, as well as, the local civic bodies need to form a regulatory platform to
address the administrative issues associated with the proposed establishment. As this
is an indigenous technology developed by BARC, therefore, BARC and DAE would
be very keen to assist in setting up such a facility, as it would publicize and bolster
the reliability of the technological solutions developed in India.
11.5 Economic Features of the Proposed Sludge
Hygienisation Facility in Bengaluru with Reference
to Sludge Hygienisation Plant Located at Ahmedabad
In the dry sludge hygienisation facility located in Ahmedabad, the cost of 150 kCi Co60 pencil procured from BRIT is approximately INR 1.5 Cr. Therefore, for achieving
the full activity level of 1.5 MCi, the total cost of procurement of Co-60 pencils will be
approximately INR 15 Cr. The cost of putting up the bacteria culture laboratory and
other accessories will be another INR 10 Cr. Machineries (e.g. Crusher and grinder,
Conveyer belt system, control units, BioNPK solution sprinkler, stainless steel tanks,
etc.) will cost about INR 5 Cr. The civil works (e.g. construction works for the
warehouse, the submersion pool for the radiation source, etc.) will cost around INR 5
Cr. Therefore, the capital cost for the full-scale irradiation plant will be approximately
INR 35 Cr. The operation and maintenance cost will be approximately INR 1.5 Cr
per year. Looking at all the major cost components, the tentative commercial price
that has been envisaged for Bio-Gold lies in the range of Rs. 3–5. It is expected that, if
FCO gives the approval for this pathogen-free hygienised and enriched fertilizer and
the brand is popularized; the cost incurred in establishing the Sludge Hygienisation
unit can be recovered in about 8–10 years, assuming even the conservative market
price of Rs. 3 per kg.
11.5.1 Bengaluru Scenario
Considering the present inflow of sewage water into the KC Valley STP compound
(i.e. 255 MLD), and the average rate of sludge accumulation (1 TPD for every 6
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received; however, the amount of the sludge may vary depending on the quality of
the wastewater. There were about 10 sedimentation tanks full of solid waste, with
well-grown vegetation on some of them. The sedimentations tanks have high loads
of deadly pathogens (viz. E. coli, B. coli, Fecal Streptococci) and physical access to
the tanks is strictly restricted owing to potential health hazards they pose. Looking at
these scenarios, it will be reasonable to mention that a sludge hygienisation facility
is the need of the hour in the city of Bengaluru. The model followed by Ahmedabad
Municipal Corporation (AMC) can be replicated in Bengaluru to ensure smooth
installation and operation of the sewage sludge hygienisation facility. However, the
municipal, as well as, the local civic bodies need to form a regulatory platform to
address the administrative issues associated with the proposed establishment. As this
is an indigenous technology developed by BARC, therefore, BARC and DAE would
be very keen to assist in setting up such a facility, as it would publicize and bolster
the reliability of the technological solutions developed in India.
11.5 Economic Features of the Proposed Sludge
Hygienisation Facility in Bengaluru with Reference
to Sludge Hygienisation Plant Located at Ahmedabad
In the dry sludge hygienisation facility located in Ahmedabad, the cost of 150 kCi Co60 pencil procured from BRIT is approximately INR 1.5 Cr. Therefore, for achieving
the full activity level of 1.5 MCi, the total cost of procurement of Co-60 pencils will be
approximately INR 15 Cr. The cost of putting up the bacteria culture laboratory and
other accessories will be another INR 10 Cr. Machineries (e.g. Crusher and grinder,
Conveyer belt system, control units, BioNPK solution sprinkler, stainless steel tanks,
etc.) will cost about INR 5 Cr. The civil works (e.g. construction works for the
warehouse, the submersion pool for the radiation source, etc.) will cost around INR 5
Cr. Therefore, the capital cost for the full-scale irradiation plant will be approximately
INR 35 Cr. The operation and maintenance cost will be approximately INR 1.5 Cr
per year. Looking at all the major cost components, the tentative commercial price
that has been envisaged for Bio-Gold lies in the range of Rs. 3–5. It is expected that, if
FCO gives the approval for this pathogen-free hygienised and enriched fertilizer and
the brand is popularized; the cost incurred in establishing the Sludge Hygienisation
unit can be recovered in about 8–10 years, assuming even the conservative market
price of Rs. 3 per kg.
11.5.1 Bengaluru Scenario
Considering the present inflow of sewage water into the KC Valley STP compound
(i.e. 255 MLD), and the average rate of sludge accumulation (1 TPD for every 6