Challenges of Planning a Large FOG and Other High Strength Waste Facility at Huge, Complex and Environmentally Sensitive Hyperion Treatment Plant

The City of Los Angeles (the City) Bureau of Sanitation conducted a pilot study on fats, oils, and grease (FOG) and processed liquid food waste codigestion with biosolids under thermophilic conditions in 2010, which demonstrated a digester gas production increase. The results of the pilot study have encouraged the City to consider a full-scale FOG and liquid food waste facility to achieve economic benefits and move towards sustainability goals. A detailed market survey was conducted to ascertain how much high-strength waste is produced in the area, where it currently is disposed, and the potential full-scale high-strength waste facility size. In parallel, an analysis was done regarding how much capacity the digesters have for the addition of FOG and other high-strength waste. Two siting location options were considered and analyzed in detail, including traffic implications, public visibility, constructability, and cost, resulting in a final implementation strategy that is currently being pursued.