CBFT3: The “Sliced Bread” of Class-A Digestion Processes

Summary The CBFT3 Advanced Demonstration Project will showcase a variety of first-of-their-kind enhancements to conventional anaerobic digestion at an operating mid- to large-sized WWTP.The full-scale demonstration of these innovations should address the feasibility and resolve concerns that other utilities might have about application of these innovations at their treatment plants. These innovations include:A new Class-A digestion system that can be retrofit to existing digestion systems for a fraction of the cost of the least expensive, currently available Class-A technology.A plug-flow digester design that allows a batch detention requirement to be satisfied using continuously-fed, flow-through tanks.Use of gas treatment systems that allow the use of digester gas as a fuel for the most efficient engine designs available on the market today.Innovations that would reduce the air emissions from those engines to below those for micro-turbines. The proposed engines cost roughly half what micro-turbines cost and produce almost 75% more power.The use of 100% of the produced digester gas for power generation while heating a thermophilic anaerobic digestion process exclusively/predominately with otherwise wasted heat from power generation.The CBFT3 process and plug-flow reactor design have been patented. CWW intends to give the patent rights to the Water Environment Research Foundation (WERF) so that the associated inventions could be used by wastewater utilities free of charge.