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Description: Biogas Harvester Recovers Dissolved Biogas for Energy Production, GHG Reduction, and...
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Description: Biogas Harvester Recovers Dissolved Biogas for Energy Production, GHG Reduction, and...
Biogas Harvester Recovers Dissolved Biogas for Energy Production, GHG Reduction, and H2S Collection

Biogas Harvester Recovers Dissolved Biogas for Energy Production, GHG Reduction, and H2S Collection

Biogas Harvester Recovers Dissolved Biogas for Energy Production, GHG Reduction, and H2S Collection

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Description: Biogas Harvester Recovers Dissolved Biogas for Energy Production, GHG Reduction, and...
Biogas Harvester Recovers Dissolved Biogas for Energy Production, GHG Reduction, and H2S Collection
Abstract
KEY TAKEAWAY
Biogas Harvester, when installed to treat raw sewage upstream of a pumping station or WRRF could recover more biogas energy and virtually eliminate fugitive CH4, H2S, and other volatile sulfur compounds released during wastewater collection and treatment or during digested-biosolids dewatering. With less H2S, worker safety is improved, and headworks/other equipment would last much longer even without odor control. As a final benefit, almost all dissolved CH4 would be recovered, solving an identified challenge for anaerobic-mainstream sewage treatment, enabling use of such industry-transforming processes.
INTRODUCTION
#A Water Research Foundation (WRF) project (#5045) will test a new process called 'Biogas Harvester' (also 'BH', patent pending) for extraction of dissolved gasses from sewage and sludge flow streams in conveyance systems and at Water Resource Recovery Facilities (WRRF). The demonstration, sited at Miami-Dade Water and Sewer Department's (WASD) Central District Wastewater Treatment Plant (CDWWTP) is scheduled for testing during the winter of 2021/22. BH uses a primed siphon (shown schematically in Figure 1) to reduce the headspace pressure at its apex to between 0.3 bar of absolute pressure [bar(a)] and a complete vacuum: 0.0 bar(a). The process is predicted to reduce the concentration of dissolved gases to between 10 and 30% of saturation at ambient conditions (or nominally 1.01 bar(a) at the test site). BH is intended to address a variety of needs within the centralized wastewater-treatment industry and other sectors. More specifically, the following primary applications are envisioned: 1. On Raw Sewage upstream of Pumping Stations or Preliminary/Primary Treatment. BH application at these locations would collect collection-system-produced methane (CH4) for mitigation of direct greenhouse gas (GHG) releases (Primary Author, 2017); offering a extremely-easy mitigation approach to the industry's likely largest (albeit unacknowledged) source of Scope-1 GHG emissions. Additionally, dissolved hydrogen sulfide (H2S) concentrations would be reduced to levels which should eliminate the need for odor control, improve worker safety, and dramatically extend the useful life of installed equipment. 2. On Digested Sludge/Biosolids. Biosolids discharged from anaerobic digesters are saturated or supersaturated with CH4 (Primary Author, 2018) which is largely released during storage or dewatering. 3. Mainstream Anaerobic Treatment Processes. Mainstream anaerobic treatment system [e.g., up-flow anaerobic sludge blankets (UASB), up-flow anaerobic filters (UAF), and anaerobic membrane bioreactors (An-MBR)] research has identified collection of dissolved CH4 from process effluent as a major challenge to the otherwise GHG-reducing benefits of these processes.
DEMONSTRATION DETAILS FOR CDWWTP
The 3D design of the BH demonstration facilities was completed in June 2021 and parts have been on order since that time. The team is awaiting delivery of poly-vinyl chloride (PVC) pipe components that have been delayed by supply-chain issues. Otherwise, all mechanical and instrumentation components are on site and assembly is planned for the end of 2021 or early in 2022; with commissioning and testing beginning once the system is assembled. Figure 2 shows an isometric of the 4-inch, flow-metered, supply piping to the BH manifold located on top of CDWWTP Headworks #2. The 4-inch line is tapped off the crown of a 54-inch forcemain that crosses Biscayne Bay from Miami Beach. Free gases are expected and will be collected at a simulated forcemain high point; collected free gas is conveyed in 1½-inch PVC piping and driven under slightly negative gauge pressure by a vacuum pump on the west side of Headworks #2 (shown in Figure 3). Figure 3 depicts other details to the immediate east of the Headworks #2 building while Figure 4 shows an enlarged view of the roof, BH manifold, and connecting piping. The following aspects are also shown: - Two biogas monitoring stations that are under positive pressure with: sample collection taps, flow meters, and insertion taps for biogas-quality instrumentation. Each monitoring station discharges collected gas at a vent that extends above the building roof. - A progressive cavity pump located within the building will prime the BH and collect the formerly dissolved biogas recovered by the BH. Once the siphon is primed, the required pumping energy is dictated by the energy required to compress the collected biogas from 0.2 bar(a) back to atmospheric pressures or ~1.05 bar(a), but because the mass of the biogas is low, power draw less than 0.25 Hp is expected. - A third pump, a small centrifugal rated at approximately 100gpm at 30 feet of head, is located downstream of the biogas harvester, and is intended to move more flow through the BH without increasing the pressure at the top of the manifold. This pump can either be used or bypassed. - Sewage samples can be collected after free gas removal but under positive gauge pressure in the vault with the 54-inch forcemain and after BH treatment and discharge from the small motive centrifugal pump described above. - Views of the roof show a straight section of hard-piped approach to the BH. A second pipe alignment with multiple 90-degree bends is also shown; this second pipe section would replace the straight section for testing of how additional approach turbulence affects BH performance.
SUMMARY
The testing is planned to take less than one month after the demonstration system has been assembled. As such, it is envisioned that testing results will be shared. The value and impact of this innovation for GHG-emissions reduction, odor prevention, worker safety, and increased equipment longevity should be significant. The invention also solves a critical challenge to mainstream anaerobic sewage treatment – enabling that field of study's implementation which should be disruptive, but in only the very best possible way!
Biogas Harvesters use extreme vacuums to 'boil off' dissolved gases from wastewater flows. Application to sewers or headworks collect H2S and CH4 and can thereby eliminate need for odor control, allow extended equipment life, improve safety, enhance renewable biogas recovery, and eliminate fugitive GHGs. They can solve similar issues for digested biosolids dewatering and mainstream-anaerobic effluent. Status and results from a WRF demonstration at Miami-Dade's CDWWTP are discussed.
SpeakerWillis, John
Presentation time
16:30:00
16:55:00
Session time
15:30:00
17:00:00
TopicIntermediate Level, Energy Production, Conservation, and Management, Facility Operations and Maintenance, Municipal Wastewater Treatment Design
TopicIntermediate Level, Energy Production, Conservation, and Management, Facility Operations and Maintenance, Municipal Wastewater Treatment Design
Author(s)
Willis, John
Author(s)John Willis1; Ashwin Dhanasekar2; Robert Fergen3; Debbie Griner3; Melissa Jauregui1; Sydney Salit1
Author affiliation(s)Brown and Caldwell1; Water Research Foundation (WRF2); Miami-Dade Water and Sewer Department3
SourceProceedings of the Water Environment Federation
Document typeConference Paper
PublisherWater Environment Federation
Print publication date Oct 2022
DOI10.2175/193864718825158739
Volume / Issue
Content sourceWEFTEC
Copyright2022
Word count14

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Description: Biogas Harvester Recovers Dissolved Biogas for Energy Production, GHG Reduction, and...
Biogas Harvester Recovers Dissolved Biogas for Energy Production, GHG Reduction, and H2S Collection
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Description: Biogas Harvester Recovers Dissolved Biogas for Energy Production, GHG Reduction, and...
Biogas Harvester Recovers Dissolved Biogas for Energy Production, GHG Reduction, and H2S Collection
Abstract
KEY TAKEAWAY
Biogas Harvester, when installed to treat raw sewage upstream of a pumping station or WRRF could recover more biogas energy and virtually eliminate fugitive CH4, H2S, and other volatile sulfur compounds released during wastewater collection and treatment or during digested-biosolids dewatering. With less H2S, worker safety is improved, and headworks/other equipment would last much longer even without odor control. As a final benefit, almost all dissolved CH4 would be recovered, solving an identified challenge for anaerobic-mainstream sewage treatment, enabling use of such industry-transforming processes.
INTRODUCTION
#A Water Research Foundation (WRF) project (#5045) will test a new process called 'Biogas Harvester' (also 'BH', patent pending) for extraction of dissolved gasses from sewage and sludge flow streams in conveyance systems and at Water Resource Recovery Facilities (WRRF). The demonstration, sited at Miami-Dade Water and Sewer Department's (WASD) Central District Wastewater Treatment Plant (CDWWTP) is scheduled for testing during the winter of 2021/22. BH uses a primed siphon (shown schematically in Figure 1) to reduce the headspace pressure at its apex to between 0.3 bar of absolute pressure [bar(a)] and a complete vacuum: 0.0 bar(a). The process is predicted to reduce the concentration of dissolved gases to between 10 and 30% of saturation at ambient conditions (or nominally 1.01 bar(a) at the test site). BH is intended to address a variety of needs within the centralized wastewater-treatment industry and other sectors. More specifically, the following primary applications are envisioned: 1. On Raw Sewage upstream of Pumping Stations or Preliminary/Primary Treatment. BH application at these locations would collect collection-system-produced methane (CH4) for mitigation of direct greenhouse gas (GHG) releases (Primary Author, 2017); offering a extremely-easy mitigation approach to the industry's likely largest (albeit unacknowledged) source of Scope-1 GHG emissions. Additionally, dissolved hydrogen sulfide (H2S) concentrations would be reduced to levels which should eliminate the need for odor control, improve worker safety, and dramatically extend the useful life of installed equipment. 2. On Digested Sludge/Biosolids. Biosolids discharged from anaerobic digesters are saturated or supersaturated with CH4 (Primary Author, 2018) which is largely released during storage or dewatering. 3. Mainstream Anaerobic Treatment Processes. Mainstream anaerobic treatment system [e.g., up-flow anaerobic sludge blankets (UASB), up-flow anaerobic filters (UAF), and anaerobic membrane bioreactors (An-MBR)] research has identified collection of dissolved CH4 from process effluent as a major challenge to the otherwise GHG-reducing benefits of these processes.
DEMONSTRATION DETAILS FOR CDWWTP
The 3D design of the BH demonstration facilities was completed in June 2021 and parts have been on order since that time. The team is awaiting delivery of poly-vinyl chloride (PVC) pipe components that have been delayed by supply-chain issues. Otherwise, all mechanical and instrumentation components are on site and assembly is planned for the end of 2021 or early in 2022; with commissioning and testing beginning once the system is assembled. Figure 2 shows an isometric of the 4-inch, flow-metered, supply piping to the BH manifold located on top of CDWWTP Headworks #2. The 4-inch line is tapped off the crown of a 54-inch forcemain that crosses Biscayne Bay from Miami Beach. Free gases are expected and will be collected at a simulated forcemain high point; collected free gas is conveyed in 1½-inch PVC piping and driven under slightly negative gauge pressure by a vacuum pump on the west side of Headworks #2 (shown in Figure 3). Figure 3 depicts other details to the immediate east of the Headworks #2 building while Figure 4 shows an enlarged view of the roof, BH manifold, and connecting piping. The following aspects are also shown: - Two biogas monitoring stations that are under positive pressure with: sample collection taps, flow meters, and insertion taps for biogas-quality instrumentation. Each monitoring station discharges collected gas at a vent that extends above the building roof. - A progressive cavity pump located within the building will prime the BH and collect the formerly dissolved biogas recovered by the BH. Once the siphon is primed, the required pumping energy is dictated by the energy required to compress the collected biogas from 0.2 bar(a) back to atmospheric pressures or ~1.05 bar(a), but because the mass of the biogas is low, power draw less than 0.25 Hp is expected. - A third pump, a small centrifugal rated at approximately 100gpm at 30 feet of head, is located downstream of the biogas harvester, and is intended to move more flow through the BH without increasing the pressure at the top of the manifold. This pump can either be used or bypassed. - Sewage samples can be collected after free gas removal but under positive gauge pressure in the vault with the 54-inch forcemain and after BH treatment and discharge from the small motive centrifugal pump described above. - Views of the roof show a straight section of hard-piped approach to the BH. A second pipe alignment with multiple 90-degree bends is also shown; this second pipe section would replace the straight section for testing of how additional approach turbulence affects BH performance.
SUMMARY
The testing is planned to take less than one month after the demonstration system has been assembled. As such, it is envisioned that testing results will be shared. The value and impact of this innovation for GHG-emissions reduction, odor prevention, worker safety, and increased equipment longevity should be significant. The invention also solves a critical challenge to mainstream anaerobic sewage treatment – enabling that field of study's implementation which should be disruptive, but in only the very best possible way!
Biogas Harvesters use extreme vacuums to 'boil off' dissolved gases from wastewater flows. Application to sewers or headworks collect H2S and CH4 and can thereby eliminate need for odor control, allow extended equipment life, improve safety, enhance renewable biogas recovery, and eliminate fugitive GHGs. They can solve similar issues for digested biosolids dewatering and mainstream-anaerobic effluent. Status and results from a WRF demonstration at Miami-Dade's CDWWTP are discussed.
SpeakerWillis, John
Presentation time
16:30:00
16:55:00
Session time
15:30:00
17:00:00
TopicIntermediate Level, Energy Production, Conservation, and Management, Facility Operations and Maintenance, Municipal Wastewater Treatment Design
TopicIntermediate Level, Energy Production, Conservation, and Management, Facility Operations and Maintenance, Municipal Wastewater Treatment Design
Author(s)
Willis, John
Author(s)John Willis1; Ashwin Dhanasekar2; Robert Fergen3; Debbie Griner3; Melissa Jauregui1; Sydney Salit1
Author affiliation(s)Brown and Caldwell1; Water Research Foundation (WRF2); Miami-Dade Water and Sewer Department3
SourceProceedings of the Water Environment Federation
Document typeConference Paper
PublisherWater Environment Federation
Print publication date Oct 2022
DOI10.2175/193864718825158739
Volume / Issue
Content sourceWEFTEC
Copyright2022
Word count14

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Willis, John. Biogas Harvester Recovers Dissolved Biogas for Energy Production, GHG Reduction, and H2S Collection. Water Environment Federation, 2022. Web. 4 Jul. 2025. <https://www.accesswater.org?id=-10083772CITANCHOR>.
Willis, John. Biogas Harvester Recovers Dissolved Biogas for Energy Production, GHG Reduction, and H2S Collection. Water Environment Federation, 2022. Accessed July 4, 2025. https://www.accesswater.org/?id=-10083772CITANCHOR.
Willis, John
Biogas Harvester Recovers Dissolved Biogas for Energy Production, GHG Reduction, and H2S Collection
Access Water
Water Environment Federation
October 11, 2022
July 4, 2025
https://www.accesswater.org/?id=-10083772CITANCHOR