Modifying 20th Century Ebmud Digestion System For 21st Century Needs

Over the last 12 years, East Bay Municipal Utility District (EBMUD, District) in Oakland, CA, has rehabilitate d and upgraded their aging anaerobic digestion system. The digester upgrade program designs have resulted in $70M in construction. During this same time period, EBMUD has grown their resource recovery program and advanced the concept of net-zero energy. The digester upgrade design work was performed hand-in-hand with EBMUD’s evolving goals and challenges.The only thing left from EBMUD’s 20th century digestion system is the concrete walls – the digester covers and process systems (mixing, gas, heating, blending/feed, transfer, and high strength waste receiving) are entirely upgraded to 21st century concepts. This paper describes the planning, design, and construction of the digester upgrade program at EBMUD’s Main Wastewater Treatment Plant.