Mar 19 2010
A University of Nevada’s successful renewable energy research project is being scaled up to a demonstration-scale project. The technology converts wastewater sludge to electricity.
The new technology for which patent is pending is cost effective as well as energy efficient. Following the signing of an agreement with the cities of Sparks and Reno, the new technology is planned to be established next month at the Truckee Meadows Water Reclamation Facility.
Principle investigator for the research project, Chuck Coronella, stated the plan of the university is to test the system by 15th of May. A continuous-feed system is being designed, built, and assembled that will finally be utilized to produce electricity. The university will conduct experiments the entire summer and create sludge-derived usable dried product, Coronella said.
The demonstration system, which is carbon-neutral, will be capable of processing in one hour about 20 pounds of sledge and convert it into solid fuel by drying it at modest temperatures. The solid fuel will be examined for its suitability for converting it into electricity on a commercial-scale. The demonstration unit, which is the size of refrigerator, will help the researchers to find the optimum conditions required for commercial-scale operation.
Rough estimates show that a full system will be capable of generating 600 kW of power per day to provide electricity to the reclamation facility plant. The project is being implemented in partnership with the cities of Sparks and Reno, and wastewater plant’s operators. Recently, an interlocal agreement was signed by the city councils to enable the research to be incorporated into their operations. Dewatered sludge, space and other resources for the project will also be provided to make it a success.
Source: www.unr.edu