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Bio-Energy Project (BGI) Final Design Review. 12-11-09. 1. Introduction. Bio-Energy. Sean Zimmerman, Team Leader, Freshman, Engineering Bryson Maikranz, Time Manager, Freshman, Engineering Scott Sylvester, Budget Manager, Freshman, Engineering
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Bio-Energy Project (BGI)Final Design Review • 12-11-09 1
Introduction Bio-Energy • 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 2
Wastewater Treatment Plant Need Bio-Energy • Sustainability of the digester project at West Lafayette Waste Treatment Facility. • Goals • 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 3
To help the community become more green by: Reducing quantity of Purdue waste food currently going to landfills Identify additional sources of waste food substances for the digestion process Goals of the project Bio-Energy 4
Background Research • Anaerobic Digester http://www.poweralternatives.com/power_companies/details/company/agcert-international.html 5 6
Background Research Bio-Energy • 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 • Possible contribution in tons 6
Background Research • 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 • 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 7 7 7
Alternative Research Ideas • Improving function of digester by adding other microorganisms. • Removal of siloxanes from biogas with biofiltration via Pseudomonas • Boost in methane production from Lactobacillus 8
Background Research • Food Pulper (Giant Garbage Disposal) Researching Specifications through these companies: Untha Muffin Monster http://www.prowastestrategies.com/images/319_Somat_Super_60.jpg 9
Future Plans Bio-Energy • 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 10
Statistics • Purdue is giving 5 tons of pulp per week • This adds up to an annual savings of $10,000 in landfill costs, reduced labor, and fuel savings • West Lafayette Waste Water Treatment Facility • This added food saves them annually $4,000 in electricity and natural gas savings. 11
Budget • 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 12
Questions? 13