"The Possibility and Hurdles of Anaerobic Digestion of MSW in PA"

1. "The Possibility and Hurdles of Anaerobic Digestion of MSW in PA" by R. Stephen Tucker, LCRMS Director Michael D. Hnatin, P.E. April 11,2007

2. Lycoming County Comprehensive Resource Management Systems

3. 1200 Tons per Day MSW Landfill

4. 50 tons per shift Regional Recycling Center

5. 1 Megawatt Landfill Gas Fired Cogeneration Plant Generates enough electricity for approximately 1,400 homes Saves additional fossil fuel by providing hot water for 80,000 Ft2 building space Consumes 20% of available Landfill Gas.

6. Williamsport Transfer Station

7. What is Anaerobic Digestion? • “is a natural process where in a controlled oxygen poor environment, bacteria break down organic material into methane, carbon dioxide and water.”

8. Where is it used?

9. At wastewater treatment plants

10. Municipal wastewater

11. In Agriculture

12. In MSW disposal facilities.

13. Example of AD Plants in Brecht Belgium

14. Why is LCRMS here talking about AD?

15. Organics in MSW stream Composition of disposed MSW in Pennsylvania • 33.3 % paper (3.1 million tons) • 34.2 % organics (3.2 million tons) The top four most abundant materials are organic. Discards in PA are 4.1 lb/person/day

18. Why should we care about sustainability? CO2 Food Fiber Wood Plant C Soil C

19. Schematic of Pilot Plant

20. What will the pilot plant look like?

28. Anaerobic Reactor

29. Reactor Bottom

30. Dewatering

31. Digested Residue Curing

32. Air Injection in Floor

33. Biofilter

34. Gas Storage

35. Flexible membrane, dual bladder gas storage

36. Gas Management

37. Advantages for AD in Lycoming County • Integration with existing systems • Enhanced local energy production • Increased recovery of recyclable material • Reduced long term liability • Sale of additional materials • Reduced waste disposal in long term storage • We are a local government entity and our developments will be shared.

38. Disadvantages of AD in Lycoming County • Cost of landfill disposal very competitive • No US facility for comparison • No contracted customer for increased energy production • Cost $/ton is unknown

39. Discussion and Questions?

40. How can the SWAC Help? • Advise PADEP/Elected Officials to promote developing technologies? • Adjust Regulatory Framework to take advantage of inherent reduced risk of sustainable versus consumptive environmental technologies. • Consider “total ” versus “short term” cost analysis • Reduced permitting • Reduced Operational • Performance based permitting • Protect from predatory competition practices • Create Additional Incentives • Change the PUC tariff for small electrical generators that utilize renewable energy. • Higher rates for renewable source. • Creates distributed power generation to the grid. • Increase tax incentives for purchasing renewable power and disposal. • Increase the minimum percentage requirement for renewable energy purchased

41. Sociological Impacts • Sustainability • Throughput can be maintained with equipment replacement • Conservation of land for higher uses • Maximizes recovery of recyclable materials • Managed Liability • Reduced potential to impact the environment in the long term • A change in Mindset is needed • In Europe, supported by a 15 year program to minimize waste. • Source separation is well developed and accepted by citizens. • Higher level of governmental control • Incentives exist!

42. Economic Impacts • No guarantee of material to process • Predominate Existing Disposal Technology: • Locally produced energy (+) • Locally controlled carbon cycle (+) • Lack of Incentives for Pioneers • Add-on Fees

43. Regulatory Impacts • Need to change regulatory perspective from a “finite” to a “throughput” principle • Post Closure Care • Should solid products still be considered a waste?(-) • Restrictions on non processed organics for landfilling?

44. Thank You! • michael.hnatin@lcrms.com • steve.tucker@lcrms.com Lycoming County Resource Management Services PO Box 187 447 Alexander Drive Montgomery, PA 17752 Phone 570-547-1870