Why engineering firms are innovating with water system equipment offerings
Bob Crossen, vice president of content strategy for Endeavor Business Media, talks with Todd Williams, global principal of residuals at Jacobs, about a growing trend: engineering firms offering hardware or equipment solutions alongside traditional engineering and consulting services. Williams introduces the Dune process, a bio-drying technology that transforms Class-A biosolids into soil-like material, reducing tonnage by half and opening new markets beyond agriculture.They also discuss micro hydrolysis, energy optimization, and strategies for utilities to reduce solids, lower costs, and improve sustainability.
Key topics covered
- Why engineering firms are innovating beyond design and consulting.
- How the Dune process works: static pile bio-drying for Class-A biosolids.
- Cost-benefit analysis: drying vs hauling and disposal.
- Micro hydrolysis and achieving 70% volatile solids destruction.
- Energy recovery, biogas optimization, and greenhouse gas reduction.
Timestamped Highlights
- 00:00 – Introduction: Bob Crossen and Todd Williams discuss industry trends.
- 00:27 – Why engineering firms are offering hardware solutions.
- 00:48 – The Dune process: What it is and why it matters.
- 01:33 – Benefits of Dune: Soil-like product and 50% tonnage reduction.
- 02:36 – Cost considerations and market opportunities.
- 03:41 – Jacobs’ approach: Technology agnostic and client-focused.
- 04:02 – How Dune was developed and tested.
- 04:24 – Pilot results: From 30% to 60% solids in two weeks.
- 05:06 – Other innovations: Micro hydrolysis and energy optimization.
- 06:25 – Future outlook: Reducing costs, energy footprint, and GHG emissions.
- 07:10 – Closing thoughts: Utilities thinking outside the box.
Sign up for more Wastewater Digest content
• Subscribe to Wastewater Digest: https://endeavor.dragonforms.com/loading.do?omedasite=WWD_new&pk=WWD_EdVid_NN
• Renew your Wastewater Digest subscription: https://endeavor.dragonforms.com/loading.do?omedasite=WWD_renew&pk=WWD_EdVid_RE
• Sign up to our newsletter: https://endeavor.dragonforms.com/loading.do?omedasite=WWDnewpref&pk=WWD_EdVid_ENL
Connect with WWD on social media
• Facebook: www.fb.com/waterwastesdigest
• Twitter: www.twitter.com/wwdmag
• LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/waterwastesdigest
About the Author
Bob Crossen
Bob Crossen is the vice president of content strategy for the Water and Energy Groups of Endeavor Business Media, a division of EndeavorB2B. EB2B publishes WaterWorld, Wastewater Digest and Stormwater Solutions in its water portfolio and publishes Oil & Gas Journal, Offshore Magazine, T&D World, EnergyTech and Microgrid Knowledge in its energy portfolio. Crossen graduated from Illinois State University in Dec. 2011 with a Bachelor of Arts in German and a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism. He worked for Campbell Publications, a weekly newspaper company in rural Illinois outside St. Louis for four years as a reporter and regional editor. Crossen can be reached at [email protected].