Revolutionizing Waste-to-Energy: GraniteFuel Engineering’s Comprehensive Biogas Upgrading at Derry Township WWTP
GraniteFuel Engineering’s proprietary biogas upgrading technology has significantly transformed the waste-to-energy (WtE) process at the Derry Township Municipal Authority’s WWTP in Hershey, PA. This project demonstrates the fully integrated biogas conditioning process provided by GraniteFuel Engineering, which included H2S removal, compression, biogas dehydration, and siloxane removal systems. By offering a fully integrated and efficient biogas treatment solution, GraniteFuel Engineering enabled the WWTP to achieve lower operating costs, enhance the reliability of their CHP engines, and optimize their waste-to-energy process.
Project Overview:
The Derry Township Municipal Authority WWTP sought to replace their existing CHP engines while upgrading their biogas treatment system. GraniteFuel Engineering provided a complete solution tailored to the specific gas flow and contaminants of the WWTP. The comprehensive biogas upgrading system included an H2S removal system, compression skid, biogas dehydration system, and siloxane removal system. With a gas flow rate of 900 scfm, the system efficiently processed the biogas, eliminated harmful siloxanes and VOCs, and removed water and other impurities preparing it for use in the Waste-to-Energy process.
The Presence of Siloxanes in Biogas:
Siloxanes, volatile organic compounds (VOCs) present in wastewater-derived gas, including biogas from wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs), can cause significant harm when present in biogas. These compounds, commonly found in consumer products, enter the wastewater stream and end up in biogas during anaerobic digestion. When combusted, siloxanes form silicon dioxide and silicate particulates leading to fouling and corrosion in equipment, decreased efficiency, and increased maintenance costs. Moreover, these particulates contribute to air pollution, potentially causing respiratory issues and non-compliance with emission regulations. Effective siloxane removal systems are crucial in biogas upgrading to minimize equipment damage, ensure compliance, and promote environmental and health safety.
GraniteFuel Engineering utilizes a highly efficient and effective solution for siloxane removal in biogas upgrading systems. Their Temperature Swing Adsorption (TSA) technology tackles the challenge of siloxane contamination head-on. Through the regenerative TSA process, GraniteFuel Engineering ensures consistently high siloxane reduction efficiencies, providing a reliable and long-term solution. By implementing TSA-based siloxane removal systems, GraniteFuel Engineering helps prevent fouling and corrosion in equipment, safeguarding the performance and longevity of biogas engines and CHP systems. This innovative approach ensures that the biogas upgrading process remains efficient, cost-effective, and environmentally sustainable, allowing for smooth operations and compliance with emission regulations.
Benefits of GraniteFuel’s Complete Biogas Conditioning Systems:
GraniteFuel Engineering’s fully integrated biogas upgrading system brought numerous benefits to the Derry Township Municipal Authority WWTP. The WWTP operators valued low operational costs and sought a highly efficient biogas conditioning process. GraniteFuel Engineering’s solution met these requirements by providing a comprehensive system that ensured optimal gas treatment and reduced maintenance expenses.
The incorporation of GraniteFuel’s regenerative Temperature Swing Adsorption (TSA) system eliminated the need for messy activated carbon change-outs, minimizing future expenses and maintenance complexities. The regenerative TSA process also guaranteed continuous high siloxane reduction efficiencies, providing the WWTP with the confidence that their CHP engines would operate smoothly and effectively. This ensured a maintenance schedule comparable to operating on pipeline-quality natural gas or pipeline-spec renewable natural gas (RNG), further reducing operational costs and maximizing the reliability and efficiency of the WtE process.
Lower Operating Costs and Enhanced Efficiency:
GraniteFuel Engineering’s biogas upgrading system enabled the Derry Township Municipal Authority WWTP to achieve lower operating costs and enhance the efficiency of their Waste-to-Energy process. The integrated services streamlined the biogas treatment process, improving gas quality and optimizing its energy content. The H2S removal system efficiently eliminated corrosive and harmful gases, safeguarding the CHP engines and reducing the need for extensive maintenance.
Additionally, the compression skid and biogas dehydration system ensured optimal gas pressure and moisture removal, further enhancing the efficiency and performance of the W2E process. By removing siloxanes from the biogas, the system protected downstream equipment and minimized the risk of damage or fouling. This, in turn, reduced downtime and maintenance requirements, enhancing the overall operational efficiency and cost-effectiveness of the WWTP’s Waste-to-Energy process.
GraniteFuel Engineering’s comprehensive biogas upgrading system has revolutionized the Waste-to-Energy process at the Derry Township Municipal Authority WWTP. By providing integrated H2S removal, compression, biogas dehydration, and siloxane removal services, GraniteFuel Engineering ensured lower operating costs, enhanced efficiency, and optimized the reliability of the CHP engines. The WWTP now benefits from a streamlined and highly efficient waste-to-energy process, positioning them as environmental stewards while maximizing the economic viability of their operations.
