Progress 01/01/24 to 12/31/24
Outputs
Target Audience:During this reporting period, the target audiences reached through our efforts included international researchers, industry professionals, and local agricultural communities. At the international ASABE meeting in California, we engaged with a global audience through oral and poster presentations, sharing our findings with experts in agricultural and biological engineering. Similarly, at the BioEnergy Summit in Spokane, Washington, we reached a regional audience of researchers, industry representatives, and policymakers interested in sustainable energy and waste management solutions. Our outreach extended to smaller, locally owned dairy farms, such as Abundance Farms in Garfield, Washington. These efforts included a farm tour, discussions about the challenges faced by small-scale operations, and collaborative brainstorming on potential solutions. This engagement focused on supporting socially and economically disadvantaged farmers by addressing practical issues in sustainable water recovery and nutrient recycling, fostering knowledge exchange and strengthening ties between research and real-world applications. Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Sarah Witherrites's journey in our lab began with her success in the CAHNRS Internship at WSU in 2020. Majoring in Animal Science, her keen interest in anaerobic digestion (AD) research found a home in our project. Beyond academic merit, this opportunity has paved the way for her accomplishment with a Master's and ongoing Ph.D. degree, contributing significantly to her professional growth. Sarah's training spanned a diverse array of laboratory instruments and techniques, from Gas spectrometry, ICP, GC-MS, TCOD, SCOD, to the Most Probable Number (MPN) Test, TS, VS, and others. Additionally, she delved into kinetic modeling and software applications, broadening her skill set for future tasks. Two courses specifically focused on microbial analysis, covering DNA extraction, 16S rRNA, PCR, and PLFA. Her water quality analysis skills were honed through meticulous procedures, including pH measurement using a Fisher Scientific AB15 pH meter, turbidity assessment with a turbidity meter or nephelometer, and total coliform examination through the USEPA Lauryl Tryptose Broth presumptive test. The study incorporated methods like the Winkler Method for dissolved oxygen measurement, BOD5, CBOD5 tests for organic matter decomposition, and EPA Method 160.2 for Total Suspended Solids (TSS). In addition to formal coursework, Sarah actively participated in study groups formed with Oluwatunmise DADA and Hasan Rahat. These study groups aimed at exchanging knowledge and ideas related to system development and kinetic modeling. For the most part, Hasans working on the TEA for this project and Dada for the CFD. Regular meetings with mentor Dr. Liang Yu and AD group gatherings further enriched her understanding and progress. Oluwatunmise DADA, hailing from Nigeria, majored in Agricultural and Environmental Engineering during his undergraduate studies. Commencing his Master's studies in Fall 2022, his long-term goal is to become a university professor and make a lasting impact in Africa's energy sector through groundbreaking research. His training focuses on developing a computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model to assist in the design of a condenser for the efficient recovery of clean water. Hasan Rahat, a Chemical Engineering graduate from Bangladesh, embarked on his Master's studies in Fall 2022. His ambitious life goal includes becoming a prominent researcher and university teacher while working on establishing a third-generation biofuel plant in Bangladesh. His training encompasses process simulation, techno-economic analysis (TEA), and life cycle assessment (LCA) for the proposed self-sustaining in-situ AD stripping evaporation system. Vy Pham, an Intern for this project at Washington State University in Animal Sciences has provided significant training. Through the project, Vy gained hands-on experience conducting experiments, developing essential lab skills, and operating various instruments critical to the research. Additionally, Vy acquired in-depth knowledge of anaerobic digestion (AD) processes, including system operation, data analysis, and troubleshooting. These activities have contributed significantly to Vy's professional growth, enhancing technical proficiency and understanding of AD systems, and equipping them with skills applicable to both academic and industrial settings. Collectively, the project has provided invaluable opportunities for training and professional development, fostering a collaborative and enriching environment for these promising individuals. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?The results of the project have been disseminated to communities of interest through targeted outreach and engagement activities. Small-scale dairy farmers were directly involved in discussions about the practical applications of the research, highlighting its potential to improve sustainability in farming practices. Outreach sessions in Garfield, Washington, emphasized the benefits of sustainable water recovery and nutrient recycling, tailored to the needs of small, locally owned farms. These efforts not only enhanced public understanding of the research but also fostered interest in adopting innovative wastewater management technologies. Additionally, participation in workshops and community events provided a platform to share the project's findings with broader audiences, including those not traditionally engaged in scientific research. These activities aimed to inspire interest in careers related to science and technology, particularly in sustainable agricultural and environmental solutions, by demonstrating real-world applications of anaerobic digestion and clean water recovery technologies. Attended the Washington Dairy Conference held from December 2-4 at the Pasco Red Lion in Pasco, Washington. The conference provided an excellent platform for connecting with dairy producers and industry professionals, discussing advancements in dairy practices, and exploring innovative solutions to enhance sustainability and efficiency within the industry. The outcomes of our experimental and modeling endeavors will be distilled into articles slated for publication in peer-reviewed journals and presentation at academic conferences. These activities aim to contribute valuable insights to relevant scientific peers, the engineering community, and the industry. Additionally, the performance evaluation of the proposed system, along with its techno-economic analysis (TEA) and life cycle assessment (LCA), will be documented in technical reports. To reach a broader audience, we plan to disseminate these reports through webinars, websites, and workshops, ensuring accessibility to stakeholders and the general public. Our strategic partnership with the Center for Sustaining Agriculture and Natural Resources (CSANR) at WSU exemplifies our commitment to engaging stakeholders and the public. The project's presence on the CSANR website (https://csanr.wsu.edu/publications-library/waste-management/nutrient-recovery/) serves as a valuable resource for targeted audiences and potential investors. Moreover, we've actively facilitated technology tours, showcasing our innovative anaerobic digestion system for clean water recovery and by-product generation. These tours, including interactions with graduate students from institutions like Stanford University, aim to share knowledge and insights. Additionally, we've engaged with WSU students in Animal Science and Dairy Management departments at Knott Dairy Center, fostering interdisciplinary collaboration and disseminating project-related knowledge. To ensure the sustainability of our research impact, we've developed comprehensive protocols. These protocols serve as valuable guides for future researchers, enabling the seamless continuation of experiments related to anaerobic digestion systems, clean water recovery, and by-product generation. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?
Nothing Reported
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
1) Major activities completed / experiments conducted; Bench-scale in-situ AD stripping evaporation systems was established and operating. Studies with AD effluent were conducted to capture clean water A CFD model of the condenser to investigate the dissolving of ammonia gas in the liquid water film on the condenser wall are being explored Mass and Energy Balances were calculated larger scale farms such as 500 cattle farms Technoeconomic analysis conducted for 500 heifer farms Digestate was examined regarding Class A quality limits 2) Data Collected Water Quality and TAN Concentration at Different Parameters Experiments were conducted to evaluate the impact of operational parameters, such as condenser temperature, agitation speed, and biogas flowrate, on water recovery and TAN (Total Ammoniacal Nitrogen) concentration. The study used UASB effluent sourced from Washington State University reactors, processed in a 2L CSTR with a 1L working volume. Nitrogen sparging at 2.5 L/min and thermophilic conditions (54°C) were maintained throughout the trials to simulate anaerobic digestion effluent processing. Condenser Temperature Effects The experiments explored how condenser temperature influenced the water collected and TAN levels in the extracted water. At 15°C, the TAN concentration in the extracted water was 208.03 mg/L, with a recovery volume of 18 mL. Increasing the temperature to 25°C reduced the TAN to 87.62 mg/L, but the recovery volume decreased to 15 mL. At the highest tested temperature of 35°C, the TAN concentration dropped to 33.64 mg/L, while the recovery volume further declined to 9.8 mL. Higher temperatures improved ammonia removal by increasing its volatility, aligning with vapor-liquid equilibrium principles. However, increased evaporation reduced water recovery. These results highlight a trade-off between water quality and quantity, requiring operators to balance nitrogen removal and water recovery based on system objectives. Agitation Speed Effects Agitation speed directly influences the mass transfer and stripping efficiency of ammonia in the system. Tests were conducted at speeds ranging from 50 to 150 RPM: At 150 RPM, the extracted water had a TAN of 43.2 mg/L, with 11 mL of water collected. At 100 RPM, the TAN was 44.22 mg/L, also with 11 mL collected. At 70 RPM, the TAN decreased further to 33.64 mg/L, with the same recovery volume of 11 mL. At the lowest speed, 50 RPM, the TAN increased to 75.6 mg/L, with a slightly higher recovery of 12 mL. Higher agitation speeds promote enhanced mixing, improving contact between wastewater and sparged nitrogen gas. This facilitates ammonia volatilization and leads to lower TAN concentrations in the extracted water. However, the consistent water recovery volumes across most speeds suggest that agitation primarily affects TAN reduction rather than the quantity of water collected. Lower speeds, while reducing energy consumption, may compromise ammonia removal efficiency, as seen at 50 RPM. Biogas Flowrate Effects The effect of biogas flowrate on TAN removal and water recovery was evaluated at flowrates of 1, 2, and 3 L/min, with a condenser temperature of 34°C: At 1 L/min, the TAN in extracted water was 35.6 mg/L, with a recovery volume of 3 mL. At 2 L/min, TAN dropped to 11.44 mg/L, with 8 mL collected. At 3 L/min, TAN further decreased to 10.31 mg/L, with a recovery volume of 9 mL. Increased biogas flowrates enhance turbulence and the contact surface area between gas and liquid, improving ammonia stripping efficiency. While higher flowrates significantly reduced TAN concentrations in extracted water, the corresponding increase in water recovery was moderate, suggesting that flowrate optimization is critical for balancing ammonia removal with water recovery. Water Quality Comparison The treated water was assessed against EPA Class-A reclaimed water standards. The results indicate effective treatment for most parameters: Turbidity: 2.0 NTU (limit: 5.0 NTU), indicating good clarity. Total Coliform Count: 3.0 MPN/100 mL (limit: 23.0 MPN/100 mL), demonstrating microbial safety. BOD: 20 mg/L (limit: 45 mg/L), suggesting effective organic matter decomposition. TKN: 30.2 mg/L (limit: 15 mg/L), exceeding the regulatory limit and indicating the need for further nitrogen removal. Most parameters meet or exceed regulatory limits, but the high TKN level highlights a critical area for improvement to achieve compliance. Elemental Mass Balance To further understand the system's efficiency, an elemental mass balance was performed, focusing on changes in carbon, hydrogen, and nitrogen content during the treatment process. Over a 3-hour period: Carbon: Decreased from 32.93% to 27.94%, with a loss of 1.65% per hour. Hydrogen: Dropped from 4.99% to 4.34%, with a loss of 0.22% per hour. Nitrogen: Fell from 3.18% to 2.67%, with a loss of 0.17% per hour. These reductions reflect the system's capability to remove organic and inorganic contaminants through volatilization, microbial activity, and chemical reactions. Operational Insights The experiments reveal key trade-offs and optimization opportunities: Higher condenser temperatures improve ammonia removal but reduce water recovery. Agitation speeds above 70 RPM enhance TAN removal, while speeds below 50 RPM compromise efficiency. Increasing biogas flowrates boosts TAN removal, with diminishing returns on water recovery at flowrates above 2 L/min. These findings emphasize the importance of tailoring operational parameters to specific treatment objectives, whether prioritizing water quality, recovery, or energy efficiency. Large-Scale Mass Balance and System Overview Daily Manure Input and Solids: Manure Input: 34,000 L/day (34 m³/day) at 12% Total Solids (TS) and 80% Volatile Solids (VS). TS in Feed: 4,080 kg/day. VS in Feed: 3,264 kg/day (80% of TS). Digester Capacity and Outputs: Digester Volume: 680 m³ (20-day HRT). Biogas Production: 1,468.8 m³/day at 60% VS reduction and 0.75 m³ biogas/kg VS destroyed. Effluent Outputs: Solid Effluent TS: 1,632 kg/day (40% of feed TS). Liquid Effluent Volume: 33,836.8 L/day. TS in Liquid Effluent: 32.64 kg/day (2% of remaining TS). 3) Summary statistics and discussion of results and 1. Condenser Temperature Impact: Higher temperatures enhance ammonia removal, reducing Total Ammoniacal Nitrogen (TAN) in extracted water but also decreasing water recovery due to increased evaporation. 2. Agitation Speed Effect: Higher RPMs improve ammonia stripping, resulting in lower TAN levels in extracted water. However, turbidity increases at higher speeds due to particle breakup. 3. Biogas Flowrate: Higher flowrates improve TAN removal and water recovery by enhancing mass transfer and ammonia volatilization. 4. Water Quality Parameters: The extracted water meets most EPA Class A standards, including turbidity, total coliforms, BOD, and TSS, but Total Kjeldahl Nitrogen (TKN) exceeds limits, requiring further treatment. 5. Elemental Mass Balance: Carbon, hydrogen, and nitrogen contents decrease during treatment due to volatilization and microbial activity, improving effluent quality. 6. Reactor Performance: A CSTR with UASB effluent and nitrogen sparging demonstrates effective ammonia removal and water recovery under controlled conditions. 7. Visual Comparison: Treated water shows significantly improved clarity compared to untreated UASB effluent, visually confirming the system's efficacy. 4) Key outcomes or other accomplishments realized. Achieved significant TAN and TKN reduction, improving water quality. Optimized conditions for gas stripping and water recovery. Treated water met most EPA Class A standards except TKN. Validated system performance with visual and elemental analyses. Provided insights for large-scale implementation on dairy farms.
Publications
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Other
Year Published:
2024
Citation:
Witherrite, S., Pham, V., & Yu, L. (2024). Advancing Dairy Manure Management: A Self-Sustaining Anaerobic Digestion System for Enhanced Methane Capture and Sustainable Clean Water and Fertilizer Production. Oral Presentation at the Bioenergy Summit, Spokane, WA.
Witherrite, S., Pham, V., & Yu, L. (2024). Self-Sustaining System to Recover Clean Water, Renewable Energy, and Valuable Products. Oral Presentation at the ASABE International Meeting, Anaheim, CA.
Witherrite, S., Pham, V., & Yu, L. (2024). Improving Biogas Yield and Digestate Characteristics through the Addition of Granulated Activated Carbon in Anaerobic Digestion of Dairy Manure. Poster Presentation at the ASABE International Meeting, Anaheim, CA.
L. Yu, D. Kim, M. C Mendon, S. Witherrite, S. Chen. Techno-economic analysis of an efficient and cost-effective novel anaerobic digestion system producing high-purity of methane. Global Energy Meet (GEM), March 4 6, 2024, Los Angeles, CA.
- Type:
Other Journal Articles
Status:
Under Review
Year Published:
2024
Citation:
Witherrite, S., Yu, L., & Chen, S. (2024). Improving Biogas Yield and Digestate Characteristics through the Addition of Granulated Activated Carbon in Anaerobic Digestion of Dairy Manure.
- Type:
Other Journal Articles
Status:
Under Review
Year Published:
2024
Citation:
Habarakada Liyanagea, T. U., Israel Dada, O., Abeysinghea, S., Liu, H., Yu, L., & Chen, S. (n.d.). Digestibility and fate of biodegradable plastic mulch films in thermophilic anaerobic digestion. Chemosphere.
- Type:
Other Journal Articles
Status:
Submitted
Year Published:
2024
Citation:
Mendon, Meghana C., Yu, Liang., & Chen, Shulin. Integration of Mesophilic Anaerobic Digestion of Dairy Manure with Hydrothermal Treatment
|
Progress 01/01/23 to 12/31/23
Outputs
Target Audience:Throughout the reporting period, our project has made notable progress in engaging diverse audiences, extending our outreach beyond our institution to establish collaborations with other universities. Notably, we actively connected with academic communities, presenting our findings at esteemed conferences like the ASABE Annual International Meetings in both 2022 and 2023. These conferences provided invaluable platforms for sharing insights with fellow scientists, researchers, and engineers, ensuring that our innovative anaerobic digestion system for clean water recovery remained at the forefront of cutting-edge discussions. Furthermore, we hosted technology tours tailored for graduate students, including those from prestigious institutions like Stanford University. These tours served as unique opportunities for cross-university knowledge exchange, enriching the academic experience for participants. These initiatives not only heightened the visibility of our research but also fostered the establishment of collaborative networks, amplifying the impact of our project within a broader academic audience. Collaborations with other universities played a pivotal role in organizing impactful outreach events. For instance, the tour of dairy farms, including the Royal Dairy visit organized by the Center for Sustaining Agriculture and Natural Resources (CSANR), offered hands-on experiences. Meetings with waste management companies such as DTG Recycle Group further expanded our outreach, facilitating interdisciplinary collaboration and knowledge dissemination among researchers and students across diverse academic institutions. Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Sarah Kemmerer's journey in our lab began with her success in the CAHNRS Internship at WSU in 2020. Majoring in Animal Science, her keen interest in anaerobic digestion (AD) research found a home in our project. Beyond academic merit, this opportunity has paved the way for her ongoing pursuit of Master's and Ph.D. degrees, contributing significantly to her professional growth. Sarah's training spanned a diverse array of laboratory instruments and techniques, from Gas spectrometry, ICP, GC-MS, TCOD, and SCOD, to the Most Probable Number (MPN) Test, TS, VS, and others. Additionally, she delved into kinetic modeling and software applications, broadening her skill set for future tasks. Two courses specifically focused on microbial analysis, covering DNA extraction, 16S rRNA, PCR, and PLFA. Her water quality analysis skills were honed through meticulous procedures, including pH measurement using a Fisher Scientific AB15 pH meter, turbidity assessment with a turbidity meter or nephelometer, and total coliform examination through the USEPA Lauryl Tryptose Broth presumptive test. The study incorporated methods like the Winkler Method for dissolved oxygen measurement, BOD5, CBOD5 tests for organic matter decomposition, and EPA Method 160.2 for Total Suspended Solids (TSS). In addition to formal coursework, Sarah actively participated in study groups formed with Oluwatunmise DADA and Hasan Rahat. These study groups aimed at exchanging knowledge and ideas related to system development and kinetic modeling. Regular meetings with mentor Dr. Liang Yu and AD group gatherings further enriched her understanding and progress. Oluwatunmise DADA, hailing from Nigeria, majored in Agricultural and Environmental Engineering during his undergraduate studies. Commencing his Master's studies in Fall 2022, his long-term goal is to become a university professor and make a lasting impact in Africa's energy sector through groundbreaking research. His training focuses on developing a computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model to assist in the design of a condenser for the efficient recovery of clean water. Hasan Rahat, a Chemical Engineering graduate from Bangladesh, embarked on his Master's studies in Fall 2022. His ambitious life goal includes becoming a prominent researcher and university teacher while working on establishing a third-generation biofuel plant in Bangladesh. His training encompasses process simulation, techno-economic analysis (TEA), and life cycle assessment (LCA) for the proposed self-sustaining in-situ AD stripping evaporation system. Collectively, the project has provided invaluable opportunities for training and professional development, fostering a collaborative and enriching environment for these promising individuals. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?The outcomes of our experimental and modeling endeavors will be distilled into articles slated for publication in peer-reviewed journals and presentation at academic conferences. These activities aim to contribute valuable insights to relevant scientific peers, the engineering community, and the industry. Additionally, the performance evaluation of the proposed system, along with its techno-economic analysis (TEA) and life cycle assessment (LCA), will be documented in technical reports. To reach a broader audience, we plan to disseminate these reports through webinars, websites, and workshops, ensuring accessibility to stakeholders and the general public. Our strategic partnership with the Center for Sustaining Agriculture and Natural Resources (CSANR) at WSU exemplifies our commitment to engaging stakeholders and the public. The project's presence on the CSANR website (https://csanr.wsu.edu/publications-library/waste-management/nutrient-recovery/) serves as a valuable resource for targeted audiences and potential investors. Moreover, we've actively facilitated technology tours, showcasing our innovative anaerobic digestion system for clean water recovery and by-product generation. These tours, including interactions with graduate students from institutions like Stanford University, aim to share knowledge and insights. Additionally, we've engaged with WSU students in the Animal Science and Dairy Management departments at Knott Dairy Center, fostering interdisciplinary collaboration and disseminating project-related knowledge. To ensure the sustainability of our research impact, we've developed comprehensive protocols. These protocols serve as valuable guides for future researchers, enabling the seamless continuation of experiments related to anaerobic digestion systems, clean water recovery, and by-product generation. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?
Nothing Reported
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Water is essential for many processes in animal feeding operations (AFOs). Livestock production in the USA is a major industry, representing $154 billion in sales. The proposed project is to develop a novel self-sustaining in-situ anaerobic digestion (AD) stripping evaporation system that consumes part of the self-produced bioenergy to recover clean water and value-added products in a simple system. The value-added products including renewable natural gas (RNG), and N, P, and K-rich fertilizers can be used to make a profit after offsetting the investment for equipment. This technology can be applied to animal farms, especially in underdeveloped rural communities and countries, to solve the problems of water, energy, and the economy. According to UN-Water, 1.8 billion people will be living in countries or regions with absolute water scarcity by 2025. The lack of water poses a major threat to several sectors, including food security. Agriculture uses about 70% of the world's accessible freshwater. Up to 80% of illnesses in the developing world are linked to inadequate water and sanitation. Therefore, advancing the proposed technology will provide great potential for the world's rural communities to easily approach clean water, energy, fertilizer, and sanitation. 1) Major activities completed / experiments conducted; Bench-scale in-situ AD stripping evaporation systems were established and operating. Preliminary studies with synthetic effluent were conducted A CFD model of the condenser to investigate the dissolving of ammonia gas in the liquid water film on the condenser wall is being explored Mass and Energy Balances were calculated Biogas productivity was explored in batch modes Digestate was examined regarding Class A quality limits Experiments focusing on clean water using Up Flow - Anaerobic Sludge Blanket Reactor (UASB) effluent were conducted focusing on the following parameters: Condenser temperature of 15°C, 20°C, 25°C, 30°C, and 35°C Ammonia levels testes for 3 different concentrations of 1500mgN/L, 1000mgN/l and 500mgN/L of UASB effluent Biogas Flowrate of 1 L/L/min, 2L/L/min, 3L/L/min and 4L/L/min Gypsum Experiment for ammonia capture 2) Data Collected The following data collection emphasizes the production of clean water. (1) Synthetic Effluent Trials: The 2L CSTR, operating at 54°C with 1000ml synthetic effluent, utilized a cold trap at 0°C with 450ml water to capture residual ammonia for conversion into ammonium bicarbonate. Nitrogen sparging maintained a flow rate of 3L/L/min and agitation at 100 rpm. The condenser, operates at 5°C with a 3-hour retention time for each run. The initial ammonia concentration in the synthetic effluent was 858.12 mgN/L (Kjeldahl method). Approximately 15 mL of water was collected per 3-hour run, totaling 12% daily. Analyzing the collected water showcased a notable reduction in Total Ammonia Nitrogen (TAN) concentration, measuring 15.33 mgN/L for the first run and 8 mgN/L for the second run, meeting the 15 mg/L limit of Class A reclaimed water standards. (2) UASB Effluent Trials for the Effect of Condenser Temperature on Water quality and quantity: The experimental configuration utilized a 2L reactor with a working volume of 1000ml, operating at an agitation speed of 70 rpm, a reactor temperature of 54°C, and a gas flow rate of 3L/L/min. The results demonstrate the system's performance under varying temperatures. At a condenser temperature of 25°C, TKN removal was 20.32%, with an additional 24.00% in water collected daily, and the process took 4.17 days to remove all water, significantly faster than typical hydraulic retention times (HRT) in anaerobic digestion for dairy manure (15 - 25 days). The system's efficiency notably improved at 30°C, achieving a TKN removal of 73.74%, 20.80% water collection daily, and completing the process in 4.81 days. Further enhancement was observed at 35°C, with TKN removal reaching 77.72%, 19.20% water collection daily, and a total removal time of 5.21 days. These findings highlight the impact of condenser temperature on our system's performance, particularly in terms of TKN removal and the quality and quantity of water produced. (3) UASB Effluent Trials for Testing all parameters for Class A Reclaimed Water Standards: In evaluating the produced clean water, the measured turbidity level was 0.3 NTU, indicating excellent water clarity and meeting the standard of not exceeding 0.5 NTU. The Total Coliform count was 3 MPN/100 mL, significantly below the limit of 23 MPN/100 mL. Dissolved Oxygen, while unmeasurable, posed no significant concern for the intended use. Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD5) was 20 mg/L, and Carbonaceous BOD (CBOD5) was slightly higher at 22 mg/L, both below the limits of 45 mg/L and 40 mg/L, respectively. Total Suspended Solids (TSS) measured at 30 mg/L, within the acceptable limit of 45 mg/L. The pH level of 8.4 fell within the specified range of 5-9 s.u. However, the Total Kjeldahl Nitrogen (TKN) concentration exceeded the allowed 15 mg/L limit at 35 mg/L, presenting a challenge for meeting stringent Class A Reclaimed Water standards. Despite this challenge, other key parameters demonstrated the overall good quality of the extracted water. (4) Gypsum experiments for reaching 100% ammonia capture: Exploring the use of FGD-Gypsum for ammonia capture in AD effluent, an 8-hour experiment adjusted parameters such as gas loading rate, CO2 content, absorption temperature, and time. Findings revealed effective ammonia absorption by the gypsum solution, with recovery efficiency inversely related to CO2 content and varying absorption temperatures. Notably, the gypsum solution achieved approximately 95% recovery at 10% CO2 and consistently maintained 100% recovery at 30% and 40% CO2. Integrating biogas stripping with gypsum absorption showcased successful ammonia nitrogen harvesting, reduced CO2 emissions, and (NH4)2SO4 fertilizer production from AD effluent. The study demonstrated consistent 100% ammonia recovery, emphasizing environmental sustainability and the economic viability of utilizing gypsum waste for nutrient management in animal farms. 3) Summary statistics and discussion of results and The project has advanced in developing a self-sustaining anaerobic digestion system for clean water and valuable by-products from animal manure wastewater. The bench-scale system efficiently removed TKN at condenser temperatures above 30°C, with an acceptable water collection rate aligned with typical anaerobic digestion HRT (15-25 days). Balancing water quality and quantity is crucial for optimizing energy consumption and increasing processing capacity and clean water productivity. Experiments with synthetic and UASB effluent demonstrated the system's potential to meet Class A water standards. The integration of gypsum recovery for ammonia capture achieved a promising 100% ammonia recovery. These outcomes mark a transformative initiative with global implications for addressing water scarcity and advancing sustainable agricultural practices. 4) Key outcomes or other accomplishments realized. Tasks involving the principles of stripping, evaporation, condensation, and absorption for clean water and ammonia recovery have significantly expanded our understanding. We potentially met Class A reclaimed water standards, with Total Nitrogen being the primary challenge, necessitating a balance between water quality and quantity. Notable achievements include a 90% removal of ammonia from digestate, 100% ammonia capture, a 50% increase in biogas productivity compared to the control at mesophilic conditions, and the production of Class A solid digestate. We have filed an invention disclosure, and a patent application is in progress for the proposed system. New knowledge from experiments has been published in peer-reviewed journals.
Publications
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2023
Citation:
D.G. Kim, S. Witherrite, L. Yu, Q. Zhao, and S. Chen. 2023. Novel Ammonia Recovery from Anaerobic Digestion by Integrating Biogas Stripping and Gypsum Absorption. Process Safety and Environmental Protection
L. Yu, D. Kim, P. Ai, H. Yuan, J. Ma, Q. Zhao and S. Chen. Effects of Metal and Metal Ion on Biomethane Productivity during Anaerobic Digestion of Dairy Manure. 2023, Fermentation, 9(3), p.262
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Other
Year Published:
2023
Citation:
L. Yu, D. Kim, S. Chen. Techno-economic analysis of an efficient and cost-effective novel anaerobic digestion system producing high-purity of methane. ASABE 2023, Annual International Meeting, July 9 12, 2023, Omaha, NE, USA
D. Kim, M. C Mendon, L. Yu, S. Chen. Two-stage anaerobic digestion integrating hyper-thermophilic and thermophilic reactors operation and its optimization. ASABE 2023, Annual International Meeting, July 9 12, 2023, Omaha, NE, USA
M. C Mendon, L. Yu, S. Chen. Integration of mesophilic anaerobic digestion of dairy manure with hydrothermal treatment. ASABE 2023, Annual International Meeting, July 9 12, 2023, Omaha, NE, USA
S. Chen, L. Yu. Developing Knowledge and Technologies to Enable Sustainable and Productive Symbiosis Between Dairy and Cropping Systems. The 50th Annual Hermiston Farm Fair. November 30, 2023, Hermiston, OR, USA
|
Progress 01/01/22 to 12/31/22
Outputs
Target Audience:In this reporting period, the current target audiences are dairy farmers, dairy associations, waste management specialists, and related academic peers. We worked with the Center for Sustaining Agriculture and Natural Resources (CSANR), WSU to organize Appendix A (Applied BioEnergy Research Program) Seminar Series, Fall 2022. The Seminar Series was to provide perspective on the current needs of the dairy industry, an understanding of dairy producers' thinking relating to nutrient management, as well as the sharing of ongoing research projects relevant to the dairy industry. The primary focus of the Appendix A program is on nutrient management and energy recovery from dairy wastes utilizing anaerobic digestion or other methods of processing that are currently utilized or emerging in the industry. We also conducted extension and outreach and visited Royal Dairy in Royal City, Washington on Oct. 10, 2022. Royal Dairy has a problem that's common to dairy farms. The hundreds of millions of gallons of water used by their dairy and beef cows eventually become wastewater carrying animal waste, nitrates, and other harmful chemicals into the groundwater which people could one day drink. Although Royal Dairy uses a vermifiltration system installed by BioFiltro to remove organic carbon and nitrate, the water quality is still a concern. To further disseminate our findings for a new ammonia recovery technology, the project team gave an oral presentation at the Annual International Meeting of the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers (ASABE) 2022. We also met John Martin, Chief Innovation Officer at DTG Recycle on Dec. 6, 2022, and build a partnership with them. The potential opportunity is to use gypsum collected from the drywall of the construction projects to reactor with CO2 and ammonia released from the anaerobic digester to produce (NH4)2SO4 fertilizer. We will try to further extend the target audiences with the project going forward. Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Sarah Kemmerer has been working in our lab since she won the CAHNRS (College of Agricultural, Human, and Natural Resource Sciences) Internship for undergraduates in 2020 at Washington State University (WSU). Her major was Animal Science. She was very interested in anaerobic digestion (AD) research. Benefiting from this project, she can continue to pursue her Master's and Ph.D. degrees for her professional development. This project provided training opportunities for Sarah in the operation of laboratory instruments and methods such as Gas spectrometry, ICP, GC-MS, TCOD, SCOD, Most Probable Number (MPN) Test, TS, VS and other parameters. Other training activities included studying kinetic modeling and software for future tasks. For the courses, two were taken to train in microbial analysis including DNA extraction, 16S rRNA, PCR, and PLFA. One was taken to learn the technical issues specific to the biomass biological processing engineering field, commercial application of biomass biological processing technologies, issues pursuant to evaluate the efficacy of new technologies in resource, environmental, and economic contexts. Outside of courses, study groups were formed with Sarah, Oluwatunmise, and Hasan to exchange knowledge and ideas concerning system development and kinetic modeling. There were weekly meetings with the mentor Dr. Liang Yu concerning this project. Also, meetings took place every week for the AD group to share ideas and progress. Students dedicated individual study time each week around this project, increasing professional development. Sarah Kemmerer is a major player in this project. Besides her, we also have four other members to support her work. Worked with the Center for Environmental Research, Education, and Outreach (CEREO) in the NSF-funded Columbia Food-Energy-Water (FEW) program, we offered Olivia Hunt a research opportunity as a summer intern. She was a junior undergraduate student with a major in Environmental Science from Skidmore College. After she finishes her undergraduate degree, she would like to explore the option of going to graduate school to pursue higher-level environmental science courses. She has spent a lot of time thinking about the FEW nexus and how they are being endangered by climate change. This program helps her learn how to do experiments for anaerobic digestion, collect experimental data and analyze them using a kinetic model. Oluwatunmise DADA majored in Agricultural and Environmental Engineering during his undergraduate studies in Nigeria, Africa. He started his Master's study in the Fall of 2022. This project allows him to reach his long-term goal, which is to be a university professor and make an impact in the energy sector of Africa through groundbreaking research. He is being trained to develop computation fluid dynamics (CFD) model to assist in the design of a condenser for the efficient recovery of clean water (Task 2.3). After he completes his Master's studies, he has expressed the desire to continue his Ph.D. study in our group. Hasan Rahat earned his Batchelor's degree in Chemical Engineering in Bangladesh. He started his Master's study in the Fall of 2022. His goal in life is to become a prominent researcher and pursue a career as a university teacher along with working on establishing a third-generation biofuel plant in Bangladesh. He is being trained to implement process simulation, techno-economic analysis (TEA) and life cycle assessment (LCA) for the proposed self-sustaining in-situ AD stripping evaporation system in Task 2.4, 3.1 and 3.2. He will pursue a Ph.D. degree in our group after the completion of his Master's study. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?The experimental and modeling results will be summarized into articles that will be published in peer-review Journals. These results will also be presented at academic conferences. These activities will benefit relevant scientific peers, the engineering community, and the industry. The performance of the proposed system and its TEA and LCA will be published in technical reports that will be disseminated to webinars, websites and workshops for stakeholders and the public. For example, we have partnered with the Center for Sustaining Agriculture and Natural Resources (CSANR), WSU to attract the attention of stakeholders and the public to our technology published on the website to reach targeted audiences and investors.https://csanr.wsu.edu/publications-library/waste-management/nutrient-recovery/ What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?
Nothing Reported
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Water is essential for many processes in animal feeding operations (AFOs). Livestock production in the USA is a major industry, representing $154 billion in sales. The proposed project is to develop a novel self-sustaining in-situ anaerobic digestion (AD) stripping evaporation system that consumes part of the self-produced bioenergy to recover clean water and value-added products in a simple system. The value-added products including renewable natural gas (RNG), and N, P, and K-rich fertilizers can be used to make a profit after offsetting the investment for equipment. This technology can be applied to animal farms, especially in underdeveloped rural communities and countries, to solve the problems of water, energy, and the economy. According to UN-Water, 1.8 billion people will be living in countries or regions with absolute water scarcity by 2025. The lack of water poses a major threat to several sectors, including food security. Agriculture uses about 70% of the world's accessible freshwater. Up to 80% of illnesses in the developing world are linked to inadequate water and sanitation. Therefore, advancing the proposed technology will provide great potential for the world's rural communities to easily approach clean water, energy, fertilizer, and sanitation. Objective 1: Develop a bench-scale in-situ AD stripping evaporation system to produce clean water and value-added products from dairy manure wastewater Task 1.1: A bench-scale in-situ AD stripping evaporation system is established and operated at the expected conditions 1) Major activities completed / experiments conducted; • System design was created and bench-scale in-situ AD stripping evaporation system was established and operating. A 2L Glass Bioreactor for an AD stripping evaporation system has been established in the Bioprocessing & Bioproducts Engineering laboratory Room 111. With that said, Task 1.1. Establishing bench-scale in-situ AD stripping evaporation system has been completed. The system is set up with a continuously stirred 2L anaerobic digester with heating tape and temperature control units to maintain 50 - 60 oC while a sparger is inserted for gas stripping. A Borosilicate glass reflux condenser is set on top of the reactor to separate ammonia from the water. A cold trap is installed to fit a beaker that will use a flask with gypsum solution to absorb ammonia, H2S and CO2 at ambient temperature while CH4 will pass it because of its very low solubility in water. Another flask is set up with H2SO4 to capture the fugitive ammonia that might not be absorbed in the cold trap. After experiments, the anaerobic digestate will be separated into liquid and solids to meet current requirements. • Using gypsum to replace sulfuric acid as a novel process to recover ammonia from the anaerobically digested effluent of dairy manure was investigated. The innovation of this technology is using FGD-Gypsum to capture ammonia from the AD effluent to produce ammonium sulfate. The net reaction of the process is shown below: CaSO4(s) + 2NH3(g) + CO2(g) + H2O(l) = (NH4)2SO4(aq) + CaCO3(s) (R-1) By adjusting operating parameters such as gas loading rate, CO2 content, absorption temperature and operating time, one can explore the extent of recovered ammonia. The experiment was conducted for 8 hours with sequentially linked Pyrex bottles (1L). A stripping bottle was filled with AD effluent while a recovery bottle was filled with gypsum solution. Downstream to these two bottles, a bottle with sulfuric acid was used to trap the remaining ammonia for measurement. The recovery phase was the main target area, and temperature effects on ammonia recovery efficiency were the main factor because it led to a final by-product (NH4)2SO4. In terms of stripping conditions, the gas loading rate was controlled from 2 to 6 (L/L min). The CO2 content was a significant factor affecting performance due to the effect on pH. When CO2 is introduced into water, it is converted into carbonic acid, which has weak acid and prompts the drop of pH of the AD effluent. Since pH plays a vital role in ammonia stripping performance, the mixed N2-CO2 gas was used to explore different CO2 content from 10 % to 40%, mimicking that biogas contains around 30 % to 40% CO2. As a standard condition, the gas loading rate was 2 L/min, and the stripping temperature was maintained at around 70oCwithout pH adjustment. 2) Data collected; • System design The parameters for Class A reclaimed water including biochemical oxygen demand(BOD5), total suspended solids (TSS), pH, dissolved oxygen, turbidity, total nitrogen-N, nitrate-N, total coliform, priority pollutants, total chlorine residual will be measured according to the standard methods. To assess the extent of ammonia recovery, total ammonia nitrogen (TAN) are measured. The 10 ml of samples are taken from digestate, glass clod trap, and acid trap bottle every day including initial samples before starting the experiment. The TAN will be analyzed using a Tecator 2300 Kjeltec Analyzer. • Using gypsum to replace sulfuric acid Ten ml of samples were taken from stripping, recovery, and acid trap bottles every 2 hours, including initial samples before starting the experiment, to measure pH and TAN. The pH was measured using a Fisher Scientific AB15 pH meter, and TAN was analyzed according to Standard Methods using a Tecator 2300 Kjeltec Analyzer (Eden Prairie, MN, USA; 4500-NorgB; 4500NH3BC) (APHA 2012). 3) Summary statistics and discussion of results; • System design In Progress. • Using gypsum to replace sulfuric acid This study explored ammonia stripping and recovery by integrating biogas stripping and gypsum absorption under different gas loading rates, CO2 contents, absorption temperatures, and operating times. The results showed that the gypsum solution absorbed almost all the ammonia stripped from the AD effluent. The efficiency of ammonia recovery had an inverse relationship between the CO2 content and the absorption temperature. The gypsum solution recovered around 95% of the stripped ammonia when the stripping gas contained 10% CO2 and rose to 100% when the gas contained over 30% CO2. Furthermore, a statistical model and genetic algorithm were applied to estimate the total ammonia recovery and optimize the operating parameters. Non-linear multiple regression and GA assisted the experiments to find the optimal operating parameters for maximizing the ammonia recovery of the stripping-recovery system at 6 L/L min gas loading rate, 10% CO2 content, 50 oC absorption temperature, and 8 hours operating time. The experimental and modeling results indicated that integrating biogas stripping with gypsum absorption can effectively harvest ammonia nitrogen and reduce CO2 emissions while producing (NH4)2SO4 fertilizer from AD effluent. 4) Key outcomes or other accomplishments realized. • System design In progress. • Using gypsum to replace sulfuric acid Millions of tons of gypsum are produced each year in the US as by-products from the flue gas desulfurization (FGD) scrubbing of sulfur dioxide during coal combustion. There is also a tremendous supply of gypsum waste from wallboard and plaster which make up the wall and ceiling surfaces of most homes and offices in the US when they are constructed, remodeled, and demolished. Ammonium sulfate was produced with up to 99% purity using available ammonium carbonate and FGD-Gypsum. The gypsum by-products have no market value, while the wholesale price for granular ammonium sulfate ranges from $75 to $130 per ton. Therefore, the integration of gypsum recovery and ammonia recovery will be more robust and viable due to lower operating costs and environmental sustainability as a new nutrient management method in such applications for animal farms. In fact, we have made collaboration with the DTG Recycle Group which recycles drywall scrapping as gypsum powder which has been used as a soil amendment by farmers.
Publications
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Accepted
Year Published:
2022
Citation:
D. Kim, L. Yu, S. Chen. Ammonia Recovery from the Anaerobic Effluent by Integrating Biogas Stripping and Gypsum Absorption. ASABE 2022, Annual International Meeting, July 17 21, 2022, Houston, TX, USA
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Other
Year Published:
2022
Citation:
L. Yu, D. Kim, S. Chen. Application of Machine Learning to Industrial Anaerobic Digestion Facilities for the Improvement of the Performance. Appendix A Seminar Series, Fall 2022. Oct 4, 2022.
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Submitted
Year Published:
2022
Citation:
D. Kim, S. Witherrite, L. Yu, Q. Zhao, S. Chen. Evaluation of Novel Ammonia Recovery from Anaerobic Effluent by Integrating Biogas Stripping and Gypsum Absorption. Submit to Bioresource Technology, 2022
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