Deploying Alternative Supplemental Carbon for Denitrification at Full Scale: Glycerol from Biodiesel Production

The use of glycerol in lieu of methanol as the primary supplemental carbon source for denitrification will require a concerted effort to define the products qualities and develop a specification that can be met by multiple suppliers. The source of the oil used to produce the biodiesel, the methanol content and fatty acid content were found to be key variables in defining crude product characteristics and the cost of refining to the minimum levels required for use by NYCEP in their wastewater treatment plants. Recognizing the market dynamics, a product specification was developed to balance cost, handling and health and safety considerations for the glycerol product.