Anaerobic Digestion Assessment for Contingency Base Waste
Abstract
A study was conducted to evaluate anaerobic digestion as a means of treating organic waste from contingency bases (CBs) and generating energy from the process through biogas. The project focused on laboratory studies to evaluate the treatment of applicable wastes and determine gas production. The study found that food waste is very effectively treated, and generates relatively large gas volumes. Methane concentrations in the gas range from 60 to 70%. Studies with latrine wastes also had high gas production, and inhibition by toilet chemicals was minimal. A pilot study was conducted at the Contingency Base Integration and Technology Evaluation Center (CBITEC) at Ft. Leonard Wood. Calculations suggest that the generated gas could offset energy use by 15 to 30%, depending on the size of the CB, and fuel cost savings (fully burdened and incorporating estimates for force protection) were estimated to be as high as $500,000 per month. Some issues were identified regarding reaction instabilities that could cause the reactors to fail. Some solutions were suggested to address these issues; one in particular uses a mix of wastes, along with food, and this mixture should improve stability and increase the utility of the process.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 01, 2014
- Accession Number
- ADA601307
Entities
People
- Dominique Gilbert
- Giselle Rodriguez
- Irene Macallister
- Jianwin Wang
- Joel G Burken
- Richard Scholze
- Robert Tucker
- Scott Waisner
- Steven Cosper
- Victor F. Medina
Organizations
- United States Army Corps of Engineers