Energy Recovery

Solids Characterization

MMF believes that wastewater contains largely untapped energy resource potential. Our approach emphasizes energy recovery from the organic solids contained in wastewater, extractable at the front end of a wastewater treatment plant or directly from sewer mains. This organic material is consistent in quality and is produced in great quantities everyday of the year

The material collected from our Solids Separators is primarily comprised of cellulose from tissue paper, imbedded organic material, and fats, oils, and greases. MMF has taken multiple samples from different installations and has submitted these samples for detailed laboratory testing. Based upon the results obtained from Ultimate and Proximate analyses, Ash Fusion and Ash Elemental analyses, and Ash RCRA Metals analyses, MMF has determined that the collected solids provide an excellent energy conversion feedstock, with consistent Btu value, low ash content, and a high percentage of volatile solids.

The MMF process provides a significant opportunity to use the recovered gross solids to generate energy through gasification and to convert the syngas to hot air, hot water, steam, electricity or hydrogen, depending upon the local needs and economic returns. MMF is sensitive to the potential air emissions associated with gasifier conversion and has classified gasifiers into four types: (i) updraft or downdraft direct heated gasifiers, (ii) indirect heated gasifiers, (iii) steam reforming gasifiers, and (iv) induction heated gasifiers.

MMF is working with selected vendors within each of the above categories. The choice of final energy end product, system size, and project location air quality requirements usually dictate which energy conversion equipment is best suited to meet the needs of the client. MMF’s staff will work with each client to collectively determine the optimal solution and will wrap the chosen energy conversion equipment into its total integrated MMF System offering.

Regulators are beginning to evaluate the air quality impacts from wastewater treatment plants, in addition to water discharge quality. Many process components have been developed over the past two decades to achieve greater levels of BOD, COD, TSS phosphate, ammonia, and nitrate removal. These same process steps usually involve increased chemical and/or electrical usage rates, which increase rather than decrease the process carbon footprint.

MMF’s treatment philosophy radically reduces the wastewater treatment carbon footprint, primarily through the removal of solids at the outset and through the subsequent reduction in electrical usage in the secondary and tertiary modular filtration system. With total electrical usage reductions by up to 85%, MMFs technology solution produces 1/4th to 1/5th of the conventional system carbon footprint. Furthermore, conversion of recovered solids into electrical energy displaces conventional fossil fuels, providing an additional carbon footprint benefit.