Case Study in Thermal Hydrolysis at the City of St. Cloud, MN, Profiles Lystek as a Key Component in its Nutrient Recovery/Reuse Project

The model project was partially funded through a Point Source Implementation Grant made possible by the Minnesota Clean Water Legacy Act.

January 17, 2019 – Cambridge, ON – In September of 2018, leading biosolids and organics solutions provider, Lystek International (Lystek), announced that it had successfully commissioned another installment of its low temperature Thermal Hydrolysis Process (Lystek THP®) at the City of St. Cloud, Minnesota, (St. Cloud) as part of the city’s Nutrient Recovery and Reuse (NR2) Project. The model project was partially funded through a Point Source Implementation Grant made possible by the Minnesota Clean Water Legacy Act.

The Lystek system is helping the city dramatically reduce volumes, solving pressing storage challenges while saving millions in infrastructure and operational costs. The solution also facilitates the recovery of valuable organic matter and nutrients from the city’s wastewater biosolids to create LysteGro® a high value, Class A quality biofertilizer product that is now available to the local, agricultural market.

This powerful and compelling case study in video and downloadable formats provides details regarding the drivers behind the development and execution of this sector leading project, including the role Lystek was invited to play in this initiative.

“The Lystek system is a key element in the NR2 project and, together with St. Cloud and all stakeholders in this initiative, we are demonstrating both economic and environmental leadership in Minnesota through the implementation of innovative, cost effective solutions,” said Patrick Shea, Public Services Director for the City. “Feedback from our team in terms of the training and professionalism of the Lystek staff on this initiative has been extremely positive and we are already seeing positive results from this proven system as part of this important resource recovery project.”

St. Cloud is located in the Mississippi Delta river region and is the largest population center in the state’s central area. The Delta river region is known as the “Dead Zone” because it has been negatively affected by eutrophication due to run-off of nitrogen and phosphorus. The Minnesota Clean Water Legacy Act (CWLA) is an ambitious plan that includes the provision of funding to local organizations for on-the-ground work to protect and restore lakes, rivers and streams and meet state water quality standards.

St. Cloud’s NEW Recovery Facility (Nutrient, Energy, and Water) serves a population of over 120,000 from the city and surrounding communities of St. Augusta, St. Joseph, Sartell, Sauk Rapids, and Waite Park. The plant has a design flow of 17.9 MGD and features a Biological Nutrient Removal system to help eliminate nutrient overloading into the local waterways.

The award-winning Lystek THP solution leverages years of sound science and research to tap into the value of biosolids and organics. Once considered “waste”, these materials are now viewed as recoverable resources for the production of high quality products, such as biofertilizers, green energy and alternative sources of carbon.

Recycled wastewater contains valuable nutrients and organic matter that keeps soil healthy. Healthy plants and soils are also able to retain more moisture (i.e. water), thereby reducing the risk of run-off and eutrophication which causes algae to grow, destroying aquatic life and resulting in poor water quality. In order to maximize nutrient use by agricultural plant life, while minimizing the potential for run-off (and odors), the LysteGro biofertilizer product is subsurface injected directly into the soil during application.

“It is truly inspirational to be part of a project like this,” says Rick Mosher, CTO of Lystek. “It shows what can be accomplished when the opportunity arises to work with visionary leaders and a collaborative team. It also demonstrates that it is possible to protect our natural resources while balancing this need with responsible, economic development. When we work together toward this goal, we can achieve true, long- term, sustainability“, Mr. Mosher adds.

About Lystek

Lystek International is a leading provider of Thermal Hydrolysis solutions for the sustainable management of biosolids and organics. The multi-use, award-winning Lystek system reduces costs, volumes and GHG’s by converting wastewater treatment facilities into resource recovery centers. This is achieved by transforming organic waste streams into value-added products and services, such as the patented LysteMize® process for optimizing digester performance, reducing volumes and increasing biogas production; LysteGro®, a high-value, nutrient-rich biofertilizer and LysteCarb®, an alternative source of carbon for BNR systems.

For more information, please contact:

Kevin Litwiller, Director of Marketing & Communications for Lystek International at:
Cell: 519.584.5437 | Office: 226.444.0186 x 106 | or by email at: kevinl@lystek.com