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Evaluation ViewAttendees 10

Co-Digestion and Biogas Management

Using Bench-Scale Testing to Determine if Food Waste Co-digestion is Right for You

Thursday, April 20, 2023
1:15 PM – 2:15 PM PST
The City of Oxnard received an EPA grant to study food waste pre-processing and co-digestion implementation at the Oxnard Wastewater Treatment Plant (OWTP). A unique feature of this project was the use of bench-scale testing to refine the design and operational criteria assumed in the initial table-top feasibility study, resulting in more accurate final feasibility study results specific to the City. This feasibility study evaluated both costs for a pre-processing facility to convert food waste into a digestable slurry at the City's Del Norte Materials Recovery Facility (MRF) and a slurry receiving facility at the OWTP.

Learning Objectives:

  • Understand the general approach to identify process and capacity limitations associated with food waste co-digestion, including food waste receiving and pre-treatment, digestion, dewatering, and biogas utilization.
  • Identify food waste pre-processing technology options to produce a high quality slurry feed, including slurry quality, layout/location, and cost considerations.
  • Understand the benefits of conducting a bench scale study to determine expected digestion performance and biogas production to refine results of a feasibility study.