skip to main content
OSTI.GOV title logo U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Title: Anaerobic Digestion and Combined Heat and Power Study

Abstract

One of the underlying objectives of this study is to recover the untapped energy in wastewater biomass. Some national statistics worth considering include: (1) 5% of the electrical energy demand in the US is used to treat municipal wastewater; (2) This carbon rich wastewater is an untapped energy resource; (3) Only 10% of wastewater treatment plants (>5mgd) recover energy; (4) Wastewater treatment plants have the potential to produce > 575 MW of energy nationwide; and (5) Wastewater treatment plants have the potential to capture an additional 175 MW of energy from waste Fats, Oils and Grease. The WSSC conducted this study to determine the feasibility of utilizing anaerobic digestion and combined heat and power (AD/CHP) and/or biosolids gasification and drying facilities to produce and utilize renewable digester biogas. Digester gas is considered a renewable energy source and can be used in place of fossil fuels to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The project focus includes: (1) Converting wastewater Biomass to Electricity; (2) Using innovative technologies to Maximize Energy Recovery; and (3) Enhancing the Environment by reducing nutrient load to waterways (Chesapeake Bay), Sanitary Sewer Overflows (by reducing FOG in sewers) and Greenhouse Gas Emissions. The study consisted of these four tasks:more » (1) Technology screening and alternative shortlisting, answering the question 'what are the most viable and cost effective technical approaches by which to recover and reuse energy from biosolids while reducing disposal volume?'; (2) Energy recovery and disposal reduction potential verification, answering the question 'how much energy can be recovered from biosolids?'; (3) Economic environmental and community benefit analysis, answering the question 'what are the potential economic, environmental and community benefits/impacts of each approach?'; and (4) Recommend the best plan and develop a concept design.« less

Authors:
; ;
Publication Date:
Research Org.:
Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission
Sponsoring Org.:
USDOE
OSTI Identifier:
1036099
Report Number(s):
ADCHP/WSSCAECOM
TRN: US201214%%997
DOE Contract Number:  
EE0000616
Resource Type:
Technical Report
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Subject:
03 NATURAL GAS; 09 BIOMASS FUELS; ANAEROBIC DIGESTION; BIOMASS; CARBON; DESIGN; DRYING; ECONOMICS; ELECTRICITY; ENERGY DEMAND; ENERGY RECOVERY; FOSSIL FUELS; GASIFICATION; GREENHOUSE GASES; METHANE; NUTRIENTS; RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES; STATISTICS; VERIFICATION; WASTES

Citation Formats

Hartz, Frank J., Taylor, Rob, and Davies, Grant. Anaerobic Digestion and Combined Heat and Power Study. United States: N. p., 2011. Web. doi:10.2172/1036099.
Hartz, Frank J., Taylor, Rob, & Davies, Grant. Anaerobic Digestion and Combined Heat and Power Study. United States. https://doi.org/10.2172/1036099
Hartz, Frank J., Taylor, Rob, and Davies, Grant. 2011. "Anaerobic Digestion and Combined Heat and Power Study". United States. https://doi.org/10.2172/1036099. https://www.osti.gov/servlets/purl/1036099.
@article{osti_1036099,
title = {Anaerobic Digestion and Combined Heat and Power Study},
author = {Hartz, Frank J. and Taylor, Rob and Davies, Grant},
abstractNote = {One of the underlying objectives of this study is to recover the untapped energy in wastewater biomass. Some national statistics worth considering include: (1) 5% of the electrical energy demand in the US is used to treat municipal wastewater; (2) This carbon rich wastewater is an untapped energy resource; (3) Only 10% of wastewater treatment plants (>5mgd) recover energy; (4) Wastewater treatment plants have the potential to produce > 575 MW of energy nationwide; and (5) Wastewater treatment plants have the potential to capture an additional 175 MW of energy from waste Fats, Oils and Grease. The WSSC conducted this study to determine the feasibility of utilizing anaerobic digestion and combined heat and power (AD/CHP) and/or biosolids gasification and drying facilities to produce and utilize renewable digester biogas. Digester gas is considered a renewable energy source and can be used in place of fossil fuels to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The project focus includes: (1) Converting wastewater Biomass to Electricity; (2) Using innovative technologies to Maximize Energy Recovery; and (3) Enhancing the Environment by reducing nutrient load to waterways (Chesapeake Bay), Sanitary Sewer Overflows (by reducing FOG in sewers) and Greenhouse Gas Emissions. The study consisted of these four tasks: (1) Technology screening and alternative shortlisting, answering the question 'what are the most viable and cost effective technical approaches by which to recover and reuse energy from biosolids while reducing disposal volume?'; (2) Energy recovery and disposal reduction potential verification, answering the question 'how much energy can be recovered from biosolids?'; (3) Economic environmental and community benefit analysis, answering the question 'what are the potential economic, environmental and community benefits/impacts of each approach?'; and (4) Recommend the best plan and develop a concept design.},
doi = {10.2172/1036099},
url = {https://www.osti.gov/biblio/1036099}, journal = {},
number = ,
volume = ,
place = {United States},
year = {Fri Dec 30 00:00:00 EST 2011},
month = {Fri Dec 30 00:00:00 EST 2011}
}