Discipline: Technology and Engineering
Subcategory: Environmental Engineering
Jose Trejo - Wichita State University
Co-Author(s): Tyler Penfield, University, Manhattan, Ks, Kahao Lim, University, Manhattan, Ks, Kristen Jones, University, Manhattan, Ks, Prathap Parameswaran, University, Manhattan, Ks, Patrick J. Evans, Seattle, Washington
-Introduction- Currently there are two pilot scale Anaerobic Membrane Bioreactors (AnMBR) for Sustainable Municipal Wastewater Treatment operated as part of the Department of Defense’s Environmental Security Technology Certification Program (ESTCP) (the only two in the world with ambient temperature operation, dissolved methane recovery, and integrated nutrient recovery) at Ft. Riley, KS and Bucheon, South Korea. The Department of Defense (DoD) currently uses aerobic treatment processes, such as oxidation ponds and activated sludge to treat domestic wastewater generated at DoD facilities. As a consequence, this process has a high energy demand due to aeration to oxidize organic material and produce’s carbon dioxide which cannot be used as a fuel source. -Hypothesis- The primary objective is to demonstrate and validate the use of AnMBR technology for treatment of wastewater and produce treated water for beneficial reuse. To validate dissolved methane recovery through a gas-liquid contactor operated with a Liquid Ring Pump. To remove ammonia-N from the treated wastewater in a clinoptilolite ion-exchange column. -Methods and Materials- The AnMBR effluent will be pumped through the clinoptilolite ion-exchange media. The ammonia in the AnMBR effluent will bind to the media so that ammonia-free effluent will be produced. Once the clinoptilolite media is saturated with ammonia, it will be removed from the system and replaced with new clinoptilolite media. The ammonia saturated clinoptilolite media will be regenerated using a sodium chloride brine. The ammonia brine resulting from the regeneration process will be fed into an electrolysis process that will generate nitrogen and hydrogen gas. Hydrogen will be used to generate electricity using a hydrogen fuel cell. Permeate flows through the shell-side (i.e. outside) of the hollow-fiber membrane contactor. Dissolved methane is drawn from the permeate, through the membrane, and into the lumen side (inside) of the fibers using a vacuum pump. -Results- The graph represents the breakthrough curve of how much ammonia was passing through the Clinoptilolite. (the graph represents the time and date of our data). Another graph that represents the breakthrough curve of how much ammonia made it passed the clinoptilolite. (The graph represents the time and date of our data). This breakthrough curve corresponds to a newer batch of clinoptilolite. A representation of different types of simulations that lay out different outcomes of dissolved-methane removable depending on which configuration is used. Our latest runs indicate a dissolved methane removal efficiency of 65% with a permeate flow rate of 0.6 GPM, 100 mL/min air flow rate, and X 40 membrane. -Conclusion- Overall, the AnMBR technology shows great promise as a wastewater treatment alternative to traditional treatment processes. The process has proven to be an effective method for wastewater treatment given the goals that have been met for the Ion-exchange Column. Dissolved-Methane has also proven to be a good technology for the AnMBR and with further research it will have the capacity to be used on a big scale and remove up to 90% of dissolved methane which could then be used to generate electricity, heat, or vehicle fuel.
Not SubmittedFunder Acknowledgement(s): Department of Defense's Environmental Security Technology Certification Program (ESTCP)
Faculty Advisor: Prathap Parameswaran, prathapp@ksu.edu
Role: For my part of the research project I had the privilege to be in charge of the methane removal technology and how much methane could be captured and used for other purposes. I was also in charge of the ammonia removal column and took note when initial and full break through occurred.