Creating Renewable Energy from the Effective Management of Fats, Oils, and Grease (FOG)

The effective management of Fats, Oils, and Grease (FOG) can turn an expense into revenue. Recent developments have made it possible to convert FOG to biodiesel. Wastewater utilities are utilizing FOG as incineration fuel or to produce methane gas through anaerobic digestion, but few process FOG into biodiesel. This paper presents a case study for constructing a FOG-to-biodiesel facility at the Waterbury, CT Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP). Methodology to evaluate the cost effectiveness of the proposed FOG-to-biodiesel system can be used for similar proposals at other WWTPs. WWTPs are ideal for a FOG-to-biodiesel facility because large quantities of FOG are received from wastewater and because a byproduct waste stream produced can provide supplemental carbon for activated sludge denitrification. A cost-benefit analysis developed indicates the proposed project could pay off the capital cost for a FOG-to-biodiesel facility from revenue generated.