S c i e n t i f i c

WATER

a n d

SERVICES

Te c h n i c a l
AND

THE

NEW

C o n f e r e n c e
ENERGY

CHALLENGES

Extraction and Use of Renewable Thermal Energy

from Small Wastewater Systems, Best Practices

P r e s e n t e d b y M i k e M e h a f f e y , P. E . , G a n n e t t F l e m i n g , I n c .
Author: Mark Pickering, Gannett Fleming, Inc,

Platinum Sponsor

Silver Sponsor

Thesis

New equipment designs now allow smaller (2,500m3/day

30,000 m3/day) wastewater systems to achieve net positive
energy using anaerobic digestion

Discussion Topics
Types and Uses of Wastewater Energy
Basic Types of Sludge Stabilization

Sludge Stabilization Energy Balance

Best Design and Operations Practices: Anaerobic Digestion
Case Study: Danville, Pennsylvania, USA

Wastewater is an Energy Resource

Chemical Energy in
Untreated Wastewater
Chemical Energy in
Primary Sludge, dry

12-15

Mbtu/kg COD

15-15.9

Mbtu/kg TSS

Chemical Energy in
Secondary Biosolids, dry

12.4 13.5

Mbtu/kg TSS

Thermal Energy @ 3,500

m3/day, 15C

220

Mbtu

1,099

Mbtu

Thermal Energy @
17,500 m3/day, 15C

Sludge Chemical Energy

Anaerobic Digestion
Most Common:
Mesophillic, 2-Stage
4.2 L biogas per kg VSS
converted
Biogas = 640 ppm CH4
Gas Combustion in
boiler or Combined
Heat and Power (CHP)
Generator

Anaerobic Digestion is the Greatest Source of

WWTP Renewable Energy

Small WWTP Applications

Common for Primary Treatment
WWTPs
Smaller systems need supplemental
fuel for colder weather digestion
Can treat contract waste to increase
gas formation
Limited CHP Potential but can be
thermally self-sufficient

Large WWTP Applications

Thermal self-sufficient
Excess gas for CHP
Net Positive WWTP Energy Profile

Survey of Small WWTPs in U.S.

76 77

80

70

70

Size Range, m3/day

60

60
50
Number with
Anaerobic
40
Digesters
30

<3,500
3,500-7500
7500-11,200
19

20
10
0

http://www.biogasdata.org

11,200-15,100
15,100-19,000

Anaerobic Digestion Has a Smaller Net

Energy than Aerobic Digestion

*Average Day, Summer

**Standard Practice for Mixing and Pumping Energy

Can anaerobic digestion be net energy positive?

Optimal Equipment Selection Can Achieve Net Energy Goal

Pump+Nozzle Mixing
Efficient mix, Lower Operating
Times

Linear Motion Mixer

Up to 70% smaller motor

High Efficiency Heat

Exchange
Biogas Storage
Membrane

Best Practice Chemically Enhanced Primary

Treatment

Summary of Anaerobic Digestion Practices

Case Study: Danville, PA, U.S.A.

14,000 m3/day Design Flow
2-Stage, Mesophillic Anaerobic Digestion
Removal of Primary Sludge and WAS through
Primary Clarifiers
Connected Loads and Physical Plant Used to
Model Energy Balance
Average Monthly Temperatures Used to Model
Heat Input to Sludge
Compared Standard and Best Practices

Temp Impact on Digester Net Energy

Best Practices Can Achieve Net

Positive Energy Balance
10,000
8,000
6,000

Process Energy, MBtu

4,000
2,000
Standard

Best Practice

(2,000)
(4,000)
(6,000)
(8,000)
(10,000)

Model Data

Optimal Equipment at Small WWTPs

Yield Valuable Benefits

Increases Renewable Energy Yield

Reduces Greenhouse Gas Emissions
Produces a more stable sludge
Reduces Operating Costs
A more sustainable solution

Questions?
Mike Mehaffey
mmehaffey@gfnet.com