University of Florida Research Foundation Inc

Other

Gas Research Institute

David P Chynoweth

John M Owens

Thomas David Hayes

Vipul J Srivastava

Kerry Johanson

Kerby F Fannin

Robert LeGrand

Arthur A Teixeira

Richard Biljetina

Pratap Pullammanappallil

Ioannis Martinos Polematidis

Patrick J Haley

The subject invention provides advantageous systems and processes for anaerobic digestion of organic waste streams, particularly agricultural waste streams. According to this invention, a new process is provided in which a liquid fraction from an organic waste stream comprising soluble compounds is segregated and incubated in a reactor separate from the solids fraction of the organic waste stream. Digestion of waste in both reactors occurs substantially simultaneously and both reactors produce biogas (thus both reactors function essentially like single stage reactors but allow for continuous or intermittent loading). According to one aspect of the invention, at least one cross-flow baffle is provided for use in an anaerobic digester to collect biogas and break up clumped solids in the reactor. In another aspect of the invention, packing media for use in an anaerobic digester is provided.

System for anaerobic digestion of solid and soluble organic wastes, by-products and residues

The present invention provides improved systems and processes for performing sequential batch anaerobic composting (SEBAC) on high solids content wastes. In particular, the present invention provides improved flooded SEBAC systems that function more efficiently (i.e., higher conversion kinetics) at lower temperatures than conventional SEBAC systems. Further, the improved flooded SEBAC systems and processes of the subject invention enable efficient anaerobic digestion operation at a smaller reactor volume ratio as compared to conventional SEBAC systems, without the displacement of leachate and clogging as a result of entrapped biogas or an increased pressure drop (hydraulic). Further, the improved flooded SEBAC systems of the invention overcome concerns associated with leachate displacement as well as excessive pressure drops.

Flooded densified leachbed anaerobic digestion

The disclosure pertains to a method and apparatus for controlling microbial growth in air handling systems employing heat exchanging coils, water pans, or the like, exposed to moisture and subject to microbial contamination. Condensation apparatus located within a chamber defined in an air handling system is disinfected by temporarily interrupting normal air flow, sealing the chamber with respect to the air handling system, introducing an anti-microbial growth gaseous disinfectant into the chamber, removing the anti-microbial gas from the chamber after disinfecting the condensation apparatus and then restoring normal air flow through the chamber. The preferred anti-microbial gas is produced by using an ozone generator in conjunction with an auxiliary air flow system.

Method and apparatus for controlling microbial growth on condensation

Apparatus and method for performing sequential batch anaerobic composting on high solids content wastes are provided, wherein a plurality of longitudinally extending trenches in the ground are employed as waste-holding receptacles, each of the trenches being provided with a cover having a peripheral skirt depending downwardly therefrom to be submerged in a water-containing moat surrounding the periphery of each trench to hermetically seal the trench. The covers contain leachate sprayers and offgas recovery piping which are connected to a fixed piping system of the apparatus, and hoppers, conveyor belts and discharge plows are used to transfer the waste into the trenches, and a lifting conveyor is used to transfer the waste out of the trenches back onto the conveyor belts extending alongside the trenches. The method involves using leachate recycling in a three stage process which employs the trenches having the removable covers.

Apparatus and method for sequential batch anaerobic composting of

A non-mixed vertical tower anaerobic digester and anaerobic digestion process provides passive concentration of biodegradable feed solids and microorganisms in an upper portion of a continuous digester volume and effluent withdrawal from the middle to bottom portion of the digester, resulting in increased solids retention times, reduced hydraulic retention times, and enhanced bioconversion efficiency. In addition, due to passive concentration of solids, the non-mixed anaerobic digester accommodates high solids loadings and provides separation of microbial phases within the continuous digester volume to achieve substantially complete bioconversion of biodegradable feedstock components.

Solids concentrating anaerobic digestion process and apparatus

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Gainesville, FL, United States of America

David P Chynoweth