Veolia has been selected by the University Area Joint Authority (UAJA) in State College, Pennsylvania, to implement an innovative anaerobic digestion system for biosolids and organic waste at its wastewater treatment facility. The biogas generated from this process will be upgraded to renewable natural gas and fed into the energy grid.
This collaborative initiative aims to improve the current biosolids management at the treatment plant by utilizing advanced anaerobic digestion, thermal drying, and biogas upgrading technologies.
Once operational, the facility will process sludge from nearby wastewater plants and local food waste, effectively reducing landfill waste.
Engineered to comply with EPA 503 standards, the anaerobic digestion system is anticipated to produce 162 standard cubic feet per minute (SCFM) of raw biogas from a mixed biosolids slurry and 264 SCFM from food waste slurry.
This is expected to yield approximately 150,000 GJ of renewable natural gas annually, aiding in decarbonized energy production in the State College region.
As part of its GreenUp strategic initiative, Veolia is dedicated to making substantial investments in local decarbonization through bioenergy and water management technologies.
To bring this significant project to fruition, Veolia has teamed up with Rettew Associates, Inc. for design and Quandel for construction. The biological hydrolysis pretreatment system is set to become operational by the summer of 2025.
Veolia’s extensive experience in water management will be applied to the anaerobic digestion processes, which encompass enhanced biological hydrolysis, sequential gas mixing, heat exchangers, gas holders, and other vital equipment.
Key elements of Veolia’s involvement include the Ecrusor™ for pre-processing food waste and the BioCo™ for minimizing the volume of digested sludge.
“This project exemplifies ecological transformation — converting waste into local energy and revenue,” remarked Richard Gray, Senior Vice President, Engineered Solutions Projects, Veolia Water Technologies & Solutions. “Upon completion, this project will serve as a model for municipalities to generate energy from waste, extending beyond sustainability to create savings for residents.”
“This project is the result of years of planning by the Authority to ensure we utilize the most cost-effective technology and maximize the value of our community’s wastewater,” stated Cory Miller, Executive Director of the University Area Joint Authority.
“Having led the Authority for 27 years, I have witnessed significant changes. Our previous biosolids process, which began in 1994, was one of the few in the nation. As it reaches its end, we are eager to replace it with Veolia’s innovative biosolids digestion and drying system, positioning the Authority for the next three decades.”
Source :Veolia
