University of Minnesota Pilots a Scum-to-Biodiesel Plant
June 21, 2017http://biofuels-news.com/display_news/12456/scumtobiodiesel_plant_being_piloted_in_minnesota/
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Researchers from the University of Minnesota are starting a plant that converts by-products of wastewater treatment into biodiesel.
Scum, a white, muddy substance produced during wastewater treatment, presents a significant waste disposal challenge. It is either sent to anaerobic digestion facilities to produce biogas, or disposed of in landfill. According to their study, 68% of dried and filtered scum can be converted to about 140,000 gallons of biodiesel and $500,000-600,000 in profit per year.
The new process, developed by Professor R. Roger Ruan and doctoral candidate Erik Anderson from the University of Minnesota, converts scum to biodiesel that can be used to fuel utility vehicles of the university. For the pilot, the team has been using scum from the local St. Paul Wastewater Treatment facility. The scientists also hope that the St. Paul facility will soon be ready to install the process once the pilot scale testing is complete.
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