With an ever increasing concern for the environment, different methods of managing organic waste on dairy farms have been explored and analyzed. Anaerobic digestion has long been a popular method of managing organic waste. Its popularity stems from the potential to decrease greenhouse gases, improve air quality and provide a source of additional revenue for the farm. Problems with implementing anaerobic digestion arise from high failure rates, high start-up costs and continuous maintenance and equipment replacement. Subsidies for the initial investment and improved technology have increased the possibility of large-scale dairy farms to adopt anaerobic digestion. Due to economies of scale large-scale dairy farms are more able to adopt anaerobic digestion, but small-scale dairies struggle to finance the investment, maintain the digester system and provide sufficient organic waste to continuously feed the microorganisms inside the digester system. The increasing impact of urbanization greatly impacts the demand for anaerobic digestion on small-scale farms to mitigate the negative effects of organic waste produced by dairy farms. Dr. Conly Hansen at Utah State University suggested we use an IBR digester model to analyze the feasibility of adopting anaerobic digestion on small-scale farms. The IBR digester system is more conducive to small-scale dairies located in regions with varying temperature (i.e., Utah), and may be the solution to mitigate the negative effects of organic farm waste. Dr. Donald McMahon also suggested we analyze the potential of implementing a digester on a dairy farm that produces artisan cheese. We predicted that this would improve the feasibility due to the need to dispose of whey from the cheese production. To determine the feasibility of implementing a digester system on a small-scale dairy farm the net present value and the internal rate of return were calculated to estimate the success of the investment. These financial measures were calculated from equipment price quotes, estimations from the literature review and from using estimated annual receipts and costs for a dairy farm, artisan cheese plant and anaerobic digester system. The feasibility also depends on the success of marketing the products produced from the digester system and the farmer’s participation in incentive programs for digester systems. The products produced vary from electricity to waste disposal services, and marketing an array of diverse products and services is important to the success of the digester system. The feasibility determined by this study was estimated using generalized assumptions from various sources and should be analyzed by individual operations to determine specific farm feasibility.

Due to population expiation and the increased awareness of the impact on the environment by wastewater treatment, improved wastewater treatment systems are needed to treat municipal and agricultural wastewater. Treating wastewater with oxygen decreases carbon compounds at the expense of energy to move carbon and oxygen to be in contact with each other. Anaerobic digestion of wastewater can reduce the cost by utilizing microbes to treat high amounts of carbon in wastewater without the need for extensive oxygen requirement. With a proper balance of nutrients, microbes also produce methane, a renewable energy source. It has been suggested that microalgae be utilized to help balance the nitrogen content of wastewater for treatment by microbes. One challenge with the use of algae is the initial breakdown of algae cells. Using a digester with microorganism that can produce methane and decompose algae could enhance production of methane from the digestion of algae. The combination of wastewater, which is high in carbon content relative to nitrogen, with algae, which is high in nitrogen, could provide the balance needed for the microbes to treat wastewater and provide methane. A biomethane potential test was used to compare the ability of two microbe communities, facultative lagoon sediment and anaerobic digester sludge to digest algae. Each microbe community treated dairy, swine, municipal, and petrochemical wastewater augmented with algae and acetate. The ability to degrade augmented wastewater and produce methane was determined by measuring the volume and composition of biogas produced over time. Both treatments were successful in production of methane. Facultative lagoon sediment showed more methane produced per carbon dioxide than anaerobic digester sludge.

A atividade metanogênica específica foi estudada neste trabalho a partir do levantamento de diversas metodologias propostas para a realização desse teste . Procurou-se otimizar o teste de atividade metanogênica tomando-se por base a metodologia adotada por Willem de Zeeuw (1984). No desenvolvimento do trabalho experimentou-se várias condições metodológicas para o teste de atividade, objetivando-se a máxima atividade metanogênica específica do lodo, através de um ensaio que fosse simples e rápido. Para isso, utilizando-se de cinco tipos de lodos anaeróbios, estudou-se a influência das quantidades de biomassa e de substrato, da natureza do substrato, da forma de agitação do meio, das soluções de nutrientes e de metais, da redução do meio com nitrogênio, do volume dos frascos-reatores e do tempo de armazenamento do lodo nos resultados dos testes de atividade. Observou-se que, em função do tipo de lodo e da sua atividade metanogênica, devem ser pesquisados o substrato mais adequado e a relação ótima entre a quantidade de substrato e biomassa que conduzam à atividade metanogênica específica máxima durante o teste. Observou-se também que o ensaio pode ser mais simples e mais rápido, comparativamente àquele baseado na metodologia de de Zeeuw (1984). Como conclusão principal são apresentadas novas condições metodológicas para o teste de atividade metanogênica específica para lodos anaeróbios. / The specific methanogenic activity test was studied with basis on several methodologies proposed for carrying out the referred test. The methodology used by Willem de Zeeuw (1984) was employed to optimize this test. Several methodological processes were used for the activity test in an attempt to reach the maximum specific methanogenic activity of the sludge in a simple and quick process. Five types of anaerobic sludges were used and the following parameters were studied: the influence of the amounts of biomass and substrate, the nature of substrate, the liquor mixing, the nutriente and metal solutions, oxygen removal the reactor capacity, and the sludge storage time in the results of the activity tests. It was observed that the more suitable substrate and the optimum relationship between the quantity of substrate and biomass must be researched, sludge, so that the referred according to the type of relationship leads to a maximum specific methanogenic activity. It was observed that the test can be quicker and simpler than de Zeeuw\'s (1984). The main result reached consists of the presentation of new conditions to carry out the test of specific methanogenic activity for anaerobic sludges.

<p>As a part of a large project at Norrmejerier, a biogas production plant has been constructed at Umeå Dairy. In this plant wastewater, residual milk and whey are decomposed and biogas is produced. The biogas is burned in a steam boiler. The biogas plant is designed as an anaerobic contact process, with sludge separation and recirculation by a clarifier. The fat in the substrate is treated in a separate reactor.</p><p>The purpose of this study is to evaluate the design and start-up of this biogas production plant. Further, the interaction with the contractor responsible for construction and start-up is evaluated.</p><p>The plant is generally well designed, the process conditions are suitable and the objectives are realistic. However, the seed sludge is unsuitable and the time plan is too optimistic.</p><p>At the end of the period of this study, the plant was running and all central components are performing as intended. Still, the objectives have not been reached. This is mainly attributed to the poor quality of the seed sludge.</p><p>The management of the plant and the interaction with the contractor has generally been good. Most problems that arose were of typical start-up nature. Others were due to insufficient planning or lack of communication. Further, several design flaws were identified during start-up.</p><p>Washout of sludge has been one of the most significant drawbacks during start-up. This inconvenience seems to be the result of improper seed sludge and a too hasty increase of the organic loading rate.</p> / <p>Norrmejerier har som en del av ett större projekt låtit uppföra en anläggning för biogasproduktion vid Umeå mejeri. I anläggningen, som är utformad som en anaerob kontaktprocess, behandlas avloppsvattnen och andra organiska restprodukter från mejeriet tillsammans med vassle från både Umeå och Burträsk mejeri. Fettet i substratet avskiljs och behandlas separat. Den biogas som produceras vid nedbrytningen av det organiska materialet bränns i en brännare och ånga produceras.</p><p>Syftet med den här studien är att utvärdera anläggningens design, valda processförhållanden och förfarandet under uppstarten av biogasanläggningen. Dessutom utvärderas interaktionen med den tyska entreprenör som är ansvarig för konstruktion och uppstart.</p><p>Anläggningens utformning och valda processbetingelser är passande och de uppsatta målen är rimliga. Däremot är valet av ymp olämpligt och tidsplanen för uppstarten är för optimistisk.</p><p>När denna studie avslutades var anläggningen i bruk och biogas producerades. Alla de mål för som formulerats hade dock inte uppnåtts. Ympens dåliga kvalitet är den mest bidragande orsaken till att uppstartsperioden har blivit förlängd.</p><p>Arbetet under uppstarten och samarbetet med entreprenören har generellt sett varit lyckat. Man har dock stött på många komplikationer, varav de flesta har varit av typisk uppstartsnatur. Andra har varit resultatet av bristande planering och kommunikation. En rad konstruktions- och designfel har också identifierats under uppstarten.</p><p>Slamflykt från reaktorerna har varit det mest betydande problemet hos den biologiska processen. Denna förlust av slam förmodas bero på olämpligt val av ymp och en alltför hastig ökning av den organiska belastningen i reaktorerna under uppstarten.</p>

<p>Two species of emergent macrophytes, Typha latifolia (common cattail) and Phalaris arundinacea (reed canary grass) were evaluated as substrates for biogas production. The specific methane yield for each plant was obtained by batch wise anaerobic digestion in 300-mL bottles. Three different pretreatments were evaluated for increased biogas production; mechanical milling, alkaline treatment with lime and fungal degradation with Pleurotus ostreatus (oyseter mushroom).The methane yield for Typha latifolia and Phalaris arundinacea was determined to 300 and 323mL methane per g VS, respectively. There was no statistical difference in methane yield between the two species. Milling pretreatment increased the biogas yield with 16 % by average compared to untreated plant. Alkaline pretreatment with lime increased the biogas yield with 27 % at roomtemp. and 22 % at 55 °C. The fungal pretreatment decreased the biogas production by 20 % and is probably not suitable for this kind of substrate.The results showed that emergent macrophytes have a biogas yield similar to other plants already tested (grasses) and commonly used (pasture crops) in large scale reactors. However, emergent macrophytes and grasses cause mechanical problems in a reactor due to their structure. Probably some kind of milling must be done to decrease the fiber length of the emergent macrophytes. The costs for harvest, transport, handling and possible pretreatment of the emergent macrophytes have to be estimated and included in the overall cost calculations. This can tell if emergent macrophytes should be used as a substrate for biogas production.</p>

<p>Algae is regarded as a good potential substrate for biogas production, due to high cells productivity, low cellulose and zero lignin content. Two parts were included in this study: first, cultivations of micro-algae (<em>Chlorella sorokiniana</em> and <em>Tetraselmis suecica</em>) at two different nitrate concentrations, also the effect of addition of CO₂ on algae grow was investigated in this first part. Second, batch fermentations of the cultivated micro-algae as well as a powder <em>Chlorella</em> (obtained from Raw Food Shop) and a dry mix filamentous algae (collected in the pounds in the park at the back of the Tema-building and then dried) were performed. In this part also effects of thermo-lime pretreatment (room temperature, 80^oC, 105^oC and 120^oC) on the algae biogas potentials was investigated.</p><p> </p><p>Both strains of micro-algae cultured at low nitrate gave more CH₄ yield: 319 (±26) mL and 258 (±12) mL CH₄per added gVS was obtained during the degradation of <em>Chlorella sorokiniana </em>grown at 0.4mM-N and 2mM-N level, respectively. For<em> Tetraselmis suecica</em> 337 (±37) mL and 236 (±20) mL CH₄ per added gVS was obtained at 2.4mM-N and 12mM-N level, respectively. Powder <em>Chlorella</em> gave the highest biogas production (719 ±53 mL/added gVS) and CH₄ yields (392 ±14 mL/added gVS), followed by the dry filamentou<em>s</em> algae (661 ±20 mL biogas and 295 ±9 mL CH₄ per added gVS) and <em>Tetraselmis suecica</em> (12 mM-N; 584 ±7 mL biogas and 295 ±9 mL CH₄ per added gVS).</p><p> </p><p>A negative effect of lime treatment at room temperature on CH₄ yield of algal biomass was obtained. Lime treatment at 120^oC showed the fastest degradation rate for <em>Tetraselmis</em> <em>suecica </em>and powder <em>Chlorella</em> during the initial 5 days of incubation.  </p><p> </p><p><em>Chlorella sorokiniana</em> and <em>Tetraselmis suecica</em> cultures flushed with biogas containing 70% and also CO₂ enriched air (5% CO₂) did not increase cells growth (measured as OD₆₀₀) if compared to references grown under air. On the contrary, a clearly inhibition effect on the algal cells growth was observed in some cultures.</p>

Graduation date: 2006

This project was a part of a study to evaluate natural attenuation (NA) as a viable remedial option for petroleum hydrocarbon (PHC) contamination at upstream oil- and gas-contaminated sites in Alberta, Canada. Laboratory mesocosms were set up using groundwater and sediment materials collected from two PHC contaminated sites (Site 1 and Site 3) in Alberta to investigate the enhancement of anaerobic PHC biodegradation by amendment of terminal electraon acceptors (TEAs, nitrate or sulfate) and/or nutrients (ammonium and phosphate). Multiple lines of evidence, including the removal of benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene and xylenes (BTEX) and CCME F1 fraction hydrocarbons (C6 to C10), rapid depletion of TEAs, the production of biogenic gases, and detection of the metabolites verified that anaerobic PHC biodegradation was occurring in both laboratory mesocosm studies. Selective biodegradation of PHCs under different reducing conditions was observed. However, there was no conclusive evidence that one reducing condition will universally favor the biodegradation of specific PHCs. In both studies, nutrient amendment showed no enhancement effects. The calculated first-order biodegradation rates in Site 1 mesocosm study ranged from 0.0032 to 0.033 d-1 for benzene, 0 to 0.028 d-1 for ethylbenzene, 0.0021 to 0.036 d-1 for m-, p-xylenes, and 0.0006 to 0.0045 d-1 for F1-BEX (F1 hydrocarbons exclduding BEX) under the tested conditions. The laboratory first-order biodegradation rates of BEX were higher than the estimated field rates, indicating the potential of enhanced anaerobic biodegradation in situ. However, when comparing the TEA amended mesocosms with the unamended controls (in which iron reduction might be the predominant process), the enhancement effects were less apparent and inconsistent. The calculated first-order biodegradation rates in Site 3 mesocosm study ranged from 0 to 0.0009 d-1 for benzene, 0 to 0.011 d-1 for ethylbenzene, 0 to 0.0016 d-1 for m- and p-xylenes, and 0 to 0.15 d-1 for o-xylene. Sulfate amendment significantly stimulated biodegradation of all xylenes and CCME F1 hydrocarbons. However, there was no definitive evidence that nitrate or sulfate amendment could enhance benzene or ethylbenzene biodegradation. / Environmental Engineering

Anaerobic digestion (AD) of corn thin stillage (CTS) offers the potential to reduce corn grain ethanol production energy consumption. This thesis focuses on results collected from AD of CTS at mesophilic temperatures in batch and by down-flow fixed film reactor. Experiments conducted include a series of biochemical methane potential (BMP) assays that investigated the digestion of CTS as the sole carbon source at a variety of food-to- microorganism ratios with and without acclimated biomass, under co-digestion conditions and also with the addition of supplemental nutrients. Additional BMP assays were conducted which investigated the potential to reduce fresh water consumption by using of digested effluent for substrate dilution. Continuous studies employed two 28L down-flow stationary fixed film reactors to examine. Chemical oxygen demand and volatile solids removal efficiencies greater than 85% were achieved up to an organic loading rate of 7.4 g TCOD/L/d and hydraulic retention time of 5 days.

The rapid accumulation of municipal solid waste is a significant environmental concern in our rapidly growing world. Due to its low cost, high energy recovery and limited environmental impact anaerobic digestion (AD) is a promising solution for stabilizing the organic fraction of municipal solid waste (OFMSW). Hydrolysis is often the rate-limiting step during AD of wastes with high solid content; this step can be accelerated by pretreatment of waste prior to AD. This thesis presents the results of alkaline pretreatment of OFMSW using NaOH and KOH. Four different pH levels 10, 11, 12 and 13 at two temperatures 23±1°C and 80±1°C were examined to study the effects of the pretreatment on (i) enhancing the solubility of the organic fraction of the waste, and (ii) enhancing the AD process and the biogas production. The effects on solubility were investigated by measuring changes in the soluble COD (SCOD) concentrations of pretreated wastes and the enhanced AD was investigated by measuring volatile solids (VS) destruction, total COD (TCOD) and SCOD removal in addition to biogas and methane production using biochemical methane potential (BMP) assay and semi-continuous laboratory reactor experiments. Pretreatment at pH 13 at 80±1°C demonstrated the maximum solubility for both NaOH and KOH pretreated samples; however the BMP analysis demonstrated that pretreatment at pH 12 at 23±1°C showed the greatest biogas yield relative to the removed VS for both chemicals. Thus pretreatment at pH 12 at 23±1°C using NaOH and KOH were examined using semi-continuous reactors at three different HRTs: 10, 15 and 20 days. Pretreatment demonstrated a significant improvement in the AD performance at SRTs of 10 and 15 days.