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From poop to gold: an examination of energy-positive wastewater treatment in an anaerobic reactor system
Lucio, Daniel Pfluger, Andrew Callahan, Jennie Van Houghton, Brett Munakata Marr, Junko Figueroa, Linda A.
Lucio, Daniel
Pfluger, Andrew
Callahan, Jennie
Van Houghton, Brett
Munakata Marr, Junko
Figueroa, Linda A.
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2017-07
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Abstract
Today’s current best practices for wastewater treatment involve aerobic processes that require substantial amounts of energy. Best practice aerobic wastewater treatment facilities with anaerobic digestion of biosolids are able to produce 500-700 kWh/MG, which is approximately one-third to one-half of the 1500-2000 kWh/MG used to operate the facility. On the other hand, primary anaerobic treatment has the potential to be energy-positive by using methane gas produced by anaerobic microbial communities in the system. Previous results from the pilot-scale four-compartment anaerobic hybrid reactor (anaerobic baffled reactor (ABR) – anaerobic fixed film reactor (AFFR)) at Mines Park suggest that the multiple-compartment configuration enhances COD and TSS removal while generating stoichiometric amounts of methane. Additional advantages of anaerobic wastewater treatment in multiple-compartment reactors include the production of less biosolids and low energy usage. The purpose of this research is to characterize the ABR-AFFR for COD removal, TSS removal, and methane generation during the month of July when high temperatures (22-25 ˚C) are observed. COD and TSS removal is compared to the EPA 7-day secondary standards (45 mg BOD5/L and 45 mg TSS/L). Methane flowrate is also evaluated for trends and converted to theoretical energy values. Results suggest that the ABR-AFFR is able to achieve the 7-day EPA secondary standards for BOD5 and TSS under summer conditions, while generating enough methane to theoretically power the reactor system.
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