The Princeton Biodigester Project By: Kevin Griffin.
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Transcript of The Princeton Biodigester Project By: Kevin Griffin.
Outline
Background Information
Explanation of the Princeton Biodigester Project
Details of Progress this Summer
Future Plans
What Is a Biodigester?
Anaerobic Digestion-C6H12O6 → 3CO2 + 3CH4
Main byproducts are CO2, methane, and compost
Motivation
Energy Independence Import 45% of transportation and
heating fuels in 2011 (EIA)
Waste Management 65% increase from 1980 28% compostable (MSU)
Environmental Impact Methane would otherwise
escape or be burned CH4 is a 20 times more potent
green house gas than CO2 (EPA)
Project Summary
Biodigester at the Forbes Garden
Food waste from the Forbes Dining Hall
Pilot project to determine viability of Mid-Atlantic climate and evaluate quality of compost produced
Benefits to the University
Reduce methane emissions
Eliminate emissions from transporting food waste
Reduce food waste collection costs
Supply the Garden Project with compost
Provide nitrogen rich compost to the community, decreasing the community’s need for nitrate fertilizers that pollute the water supply
Produce natural gas for heating and cooking
Challenges
Two stages of digestion. Acidogenic bacteria break sugars and amino acids
into organic acids. Methanogenic bacteria then convert acids into CO2
and CH4
Methanogenic bacteria are sensitive to pH and temperatures
The composition of waste stream can greatly affect the balance of these bacteria groups
Future Research
Response to Changes in temperature Changes in pressure The introduction of bacterial cultures The use of different waste materials
and how these changes affect the system pH and the health of essential bacteria.
Acknowledgements
I would like to thank Dr. Shana Weber from the Office of Sustainability for all of her help and support.
Thank you to Professor Justin Sheffield for technical advice.
Thank you to Sean Gallagher and his team for constructing the biodigester and donating materials.
Thank you to Dean Caddeau and the Forbes College Office for their support and advice.