Transcript Bio-Energy Project (BGI) Final Design Review

Bio-Energy Project (BGI)
Final Design Review
12-11-09
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Bio-Energy
Introduction
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Sean Zimmerman, Team Leader, Freshman,
Engineering
Bryson Maikranz, Time Manager, Freshman,
Engineering
Scott Sylvester, Budget Manager, Freshman,
Engineering
Amber Ramsey, Project Partner Liaison, Senior,
History
Joseph Cox, Research Head, Senior, Biochemistry
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Bio-Energy
Wastewater Treatment Plant Need
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Sustainability of the digester project at West
Lafayette Waste Treatment Facility.
Goals
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To reduce operating cost of WWTP
To decrease quantity of waste to recycle
To increase methane production
To maximize usage of available capacity of renovated
digesters
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Bio-Energy
Goals of the project
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To help the community become more green by:
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Reducing quantity of Purdue waste food currently
going to landfills
Identify additional sources of waste food substances
for the digestion process
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Background Research
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Anaerobic
Digester
http://www.poweralternatives.com/p
ower_companies/details/company/a
gcert-international.html
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Bio-Energy
Background Research
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Researching a replacement to the activated carbon,
silica gel is currently being looked at.
Toured dining facilities to better understand
current waste food collection and treatment
methods
Research other potential waste food providers
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Possible contribution in tons
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Background Research
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Currently using 500 lb. activated carbon at
approximately $2,000 per cycle which is
approximately two to three months
Silica gel as a new media for filtering the biogas
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Silica gel is a cheaper chemical and can be made at
WWTP
Need to determine the best chemical form and
composition of the silica gel for the biogas filtration
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Alternative Research Ideas
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Improving function of digester by adding other
microorganisms.
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Removal of siloxanes from biogas with biofiltration
via Pseudomonas
Boost in methane production from Lactobacillus
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Background Research
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Food Pulper (Giant Garbage Disposal)
Researching
Specifications through
these companies:
Untha
Muffin Monster
http://www.prowastestrategies.com/images/319_Somat_Super_60.jpg
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Bio-Energy
Future Plans
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Continue to explore potential waste food providers
Recommend replacement technology for carbon
treatment facilities
Work with WWTP to integrate team’s proposals
into current operations
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Statistics
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Purdue is giving 5 tons of pulp per week
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This adds up to an annual savings of $10,000 in
landfill costs, reduced labor, and fuel savings
West Lafayette Waste Water Treatment Facility
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This added food saves them annually $4,000 in
electricity and natural gas savings.
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Budget
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Our current budget is small due to the heavy
research being done at this phase
Considerations were made to purchasing silica
beads. However, after a meeting with Dr. Michael
Harris, Assistant Dean of Engineering, we realized
that we could produce the silica gel ourselves
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Questions?
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