"The Possibility and Hurdles of
Anaerobic Digestion of MSW
in PA"
by
R. Stephen Tucker, LCRMS Director
Michael D. Hnatin, P.E.
April 11,2007
Lycoming County
Comprehensive Resource Management Systems
• 1200 Tons per Day MSW Landfill
• 50 tons per shift Regional Recycling Center
1 Megawatt Landfill Gas Fired Cogeneration Plant
Generates enough electricity for approximately 1,400 homes
Saves additional fossil fuel by providing hot water for 80,000 Ft2 building space
Consumes 20% of available Landfill Gas.
• Williamsport Transfer Station
What is Anaerobic Digestion?
• “is a natural process
where in a controlled
oxygen poor
environment, bacteria
break down organic
material into
methane, carbon
dioxide and water.”
Where is it used?
• At wastewater treatment plants
• Municipal wastewater
• In Agriculture
In MSW disposal facilities.
Example of AD Plants in Brecht Belgium
Why is LCRMS here talking about
AD?
Organics in MSW stream
Composition of disposed MSW in Pennsylvania
• 33.3 % paper (3.1 million tons)
• 34.2 % organics (3.2 million tons)
The top four most
abundant materials
are organic.
Discards in PA are
4.1 lb/person/day
Why should we care about sustainability?
CO2
Food
Fiber
Plant C Wood
Soil C
Schematic of Pilot Plant
What will the pilot plant look like?
Anaerobic
Reactor
Reactor Bottom
Dewatering
Digested Residue Curing
Air Injection in Floor
Biofilter
Gas Storage
• Flexible membrane, dual bladder gas storage
Gas Management
Advantages for AD in Lycoming County
• Integration with existing systems
• Enhanced local energy production
• Increased recovery of recyclable material
• Reduced long term liability
• Sale of additional materials
• Reduced waste disposal in long term storage
• We are a local government entity and our
developments will be shared.
Disadvantages of AD in Lycoming County
• Cost of landfill disposal very competitive
• No US facility for comparison
• No contracted customer for increased
energy production
• Cost $/ton is unknown
Discussion and Questions?
How can the SWAC Help?
• Advise PADEP/Elected Officials to promote developing technologies?
• Adjust Regulatory Framework to take advantage of inherent
reduced risk of sustainable versus consumptive environmental
technologies.
• Consider “total ” versus “short term” cost analysis
• Reduced permitting
• Reduced Operational
• Performance based permitting
– Protect from predatory competition practices
• Create Additional Incentives
– Change the PUC tariff for small electrical generators that utilize
renewable energy.
• Higher rates for renewable source.
• Creates distributed power generation to the grid.
– Increase tax incentives for purchasing renewable power and disposal.
– Increase the minimum percentage requirement for renewable energy
purchased
Sociological Impacts
• Sustainability
– Throughput can be maintained with equipment replacement
– Conservation of land for higher uses
– Maximizes recovery of recyclable materials
• Managed Liability
– Reduced potential to impact the environment in the long term
• A change in Mindset is needed
– In Europe, supported by a 15 year program to minimize waste.
– Source separation is well developed and accepted by citizens.
– Higher level of governmental control
– Incentives exist!
Economic Impacts
• No guarantee of material to process
• Predominate Existing Disposal
Technology:
• Locally produced energy (+)
• Locally controlled carbon cycle (+)
• Lack of Incentives for Pioneers
• Add-on Fees
Regulatory Impacts
• Need to change regulatory perspective from a
“finite” to a “throughput” principle
• Post Closure Care
• Should solid products still be considered a
waste?(-)
• Restrictions on non processed organics for
landfilling?
Thank You!
• michael.hnatin@lcrms.com
• steve.tucker@lcrms.com
Lycoming County Resource Management Services
PO Box 187
447 Alexander Drive
Montgomery, PA 17752
Phone 570-547-1870