Fiscalini Farms Biomass Energy Project

In this final report describes and documents research that was conducted by the Ecological Engineering Research Program (EERP) at the University of the Pacific (Stockton, CA) under subcontract to Fiscalini Farms LP for work under the Assistance Agreement DE-EE0001895 'Measurement and Evaluation of a Dairy Anaerobic Digestion/Power Generation System' from the United States Department of Energy, National Energy Technology Laboratory. Fiscalini Farms is operating a 710 kW biomass-energy power plant that uses bio-methane, generated from plant biomass, cheese whey, and cattle manure via mesophilic anaerobic digestion, to produce electricity using an internal combustion engine. The primary objectives of the project were to document baseline conditions for the anaerobic digester and the combined heat and power (CHP) system used for the dairy-based biomass-energy production. The baseline condition of the plant was evaluated in the context of regulatory and economic constraints. In this final report, the operation of the plant between start-up in 2009 and operation in 2010 are documented and an interpretation of the technical data is provided. An economic analysis of the biomass energy system was previously completed (Appendix A) and the results from that study are discussed briefly in this report. Results from the start-up and first year of operation indicate that mesophilic anaerobic digestion of agricultural biomass, combined with an internal combustion engine, is a reliable source of alternative electrical production. A major advantage of biomass energy facilities located on dairy farms appears to be their inherent stability and ability to produce a consistent, 24 hour supply of electricity. However, technical analysis indicated that the Fiscalini Farms system was operating below capacity and that economic sustainability would be improved by increasing loading of feedstocks to the digester. Additional operational modifications, such as increased utilization of waste heat and better documentation of potential of carbon credits, would also improve the economic outlook. Analysis of baseline operational conditions indicated that a reduction in methane emissions and other greenhouse gas savings resulted from implementation of the project. The project results indicate that using anaerobic digestion to produce bio-methane from agricultural biomass is a promising source of electricity, but that significant challenges need to be addressed before dairy-based biomass energy production can be fully integrated into an alternative energy economy. The biomass energy facility was found to be operating undercapacity. Economic analysis indicated a positive economic sustainability, even at the reduced power production levels demonstrated during the baseline period. However, increasing methane generation capacity (via the importation of biomass codigestate) will be critical for increasing electricity output and improving the long-term economic sustainability of the operation. Dairy-based biomass energy plants are operating under strict environmental regulations applicable to both power-production and confined animal facilities and novel approached are being applied to maintain minimal environmental impacts. The use of selective catalytic reduction (SCR) for nitrous oxide control and a biological hydrogen sulfide control system were tested at this facility. Results from this study suggest that biomass energy systems can be compliant with reasonable scientifically based air and water pollution control regulations. The most significant challenge for the development of biomass energy as a viable component of power production on a regional scale is likely to be the availability of energy-rich organic feedstocks. Additionally, there needs to be further development of regional expertise in digester and power plant operations. At the Fiscalini facility, power production was limited by the availability of biomass for methane generation, not the designed system capacity. During the baseline study period, feedstocks included manure, sudan grass silage, and refused-feed. The ability of the dairy to produce silage in excess of on-site feed requirements limited power production. The availability of biomass energy crops and alternative feedstocks, such as agricultural and food wastes, will be a major determinant to the economic and environmental sustainability of biomass based electricity production

The fate and distribution of subsurface hydrocarbons released during the 2010 MC252 oil spill in deep offshore waters of the Gulf of Mexico

The explosion of the Deepwater Horizon oil platform on April 20, 2010 resulted in the second largest oil spill in history. In this study, the distribution and chemical composition of hydrocarbons within a 45 km radius of the blowout was investigated. A complete set of hydrocarbon data were acquired from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and from BP, including data from 16 research missions collected over eight weeks. The distribution of hydrocarbons was found to be more dispersed over a wider area in subsurface waters than previously predicted or reported. Several hydrocarbon plumes were identified including a near-surface plume (0.5 to 50 m), two small mid-depth plume (240 to 290 m and 850 to 880 m), and a large deepwater plume approximately 1,050 to 1,300 m below surface. Water soluble compounds were preferentially extracted from the rising oil in deepwater, and were found at potentially toxic levels both in and outside of areas previously reported to contain the majority of hydrocarbons. Data collected from different research missions were measured for a wide variety of chemical compounds, but not every sample was analyzed for the same chemical compounds. To overcome the challenge of variability in sample data, a non-parametric method of evaluating the percentage of detectable results, was used for all data analysis in addition to evaluation of total sample concentrations. The two analysis techniques yielded similar results. This approach may be useful in other studies in which samples are measured for varying number of compounds and have varying detection limits. The distribution and toxicity of hydrocarbons in sediments between August and October, 2010 was also investigated and was found to be fairly localized

The fate and distribution of subsurface hydrocarbons released during the 2010 MC252 oil spill in deep offshore waters of the Gulf of Mexico

The explosion of the Deepwater Horizon oil platform on April 20, 2010 resulted in the second largest oil spill in history. In this study, the distribution and chemical composition of hydrocarbons within a 45 km radius of the blowout was investigated. A complete set of hydrocarbon data were acquired from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and from BP, including data from 16 research missions collected over eight weeks. The distribution of hydrocarbons was found to be more dispersed over a wider area in subsurface waters than previously predicted or reported. Several hydrocarbon plumes were identified including a near-surface plume (0.5 to 50 m), two small mid-depth plume (240 to 290 m and 850 to 880 m), and a large deepwater plume approximately 1,050 to 1,300 m below surface. Water soluble compounds were preferentially extracted from the rising oil in deepwater, and were found at potentially toxic levels both in and outside of areas previously reported to contain the majority of hydrocarbons. Data collected from different research missions were measured for a wide variety of chemical compounds, but not every sample was analyzed for the same chemical compounds. To overcome the challenge of variability in sample data, a non-parametric method of evaluating the percentage of detectable results, was used for all data analysis in addition to evaluation of total sample concentrations. The two analysis techniques yielded similar results. This approach may be useful in other studies in which samples are measured for varying number of compounds and have varying detection limits. The distribution and toxicity of hydrocarbons in sediments between August and October, 2010 was also investigated and was found to be fairly localized

Placencia Wastewater Treatment Facility

The village of Seine Bight, located on the Placencia Peninsula in Belize, is home to approximately 2,000 people. Due to conditions in the area, there are no provisions for treating the wastewater that the village creates. The current disposal method in the village is simply to empty buckets of waste into the ocean. Environmental and health concerns, in addition to increased population growth, have lead to the need for a higher level of sophistication in collecting and treating the village’s wastewater. To meet this demand, we have developed a two- pronged approach to solve this emerging problem. A pressure sewer system will be installed inside of the village to collect wastewater and prevent its discharge into the ocean. By doing this, the village of Seine Bight can continue its population growth without endangering the local ecosystem. The second part of our design is focused on treating the collected wastewater to a level where it can be either safely discharged into the environment, or used to irrigate certain crops in the surrounding areas. The designs have been focused to meet the criteria of sustainability, constructability and affordable cost. Through the implementation of these designs, Seine Bight will offer its residents a higher standard of living while also being able to keep protection of the local environment a top priority

Placencia Wastewater Treatment Facility

The village of Seine Bight, located on the Placencia Peninsula in Belize, is home to approximately 2,000 people. Due to conditions in the area, there are no provisions for treating the wastewater that the village creates. The current disposal method in the village is simply to empty buckets of waste into the ocean. Environmental and health concerns, in addition to increased population growth, have lead to the need for a higher level of sophistication in collecting and treating the village’s wastewater. To meet this demand, we have developed a two- pronged approach to solve this emerging problem. A pressure sewer system will be installed inside of the village to collect wastewater and prevent its discharge into the ocean. By doing this, the village of Seine Bight can continue its population growth without endangering the local ecosystem. The second part of our design is focused on treating the collected wastewater to a level where it can be either safely discharged into the environment, or used to irrigate certain crops in the surrounding areas. The designs have been focused to meet the criteria of sustainability, constructability and affordable cost. Through the implementation of these designs, Seine Bight will offer its residents a higher standard of living while also being able to keep protection of the local environment a top priority

Fiscalini Farms Biomass Energy Project

In this final report describes and documents research that was conducted by the Ecological Engineering Research Program (EERP) at the University of the Pacific (Stockton, CA) under subcontract to Fiscalini Farms LP for work under the Assistance Agreement DE-EE0001895 'Measurement and Evaluation of a Dairy Anaerobic Digestion/Power Generation System' from the United States Department of Energy, National Energy Technology Laboratory. Fiscalini Farms is operating a 710 kW biomass-energy power plant that uses bio-methane, generated from plant biomass, cheese whey, and cattle manure via mesophilic anaerobic digestion, to produce electricity using an internal combustion engine. The primary objectives of the project were to document baseline conditions for the anaerobic digester and the combined heat and power (CHP) system used for the dairy-based biomass-energy production. The baseline condition of the plant was evaluated in the context of regulatory and economic constraints. In this final report, the operation of the plant between start-up in 2009 and operation in 2010 are documented and an interpretation of the technical data is provided. An economic analysis of the biomass energy system was previously completed (Appendix A) and the results from that study are discussed briefly in this report. Results from the start-up and first year of operation indicate that mesophilic anaerobic digestion of agricultural biomass, combined with an internal combustion engine, is a reliable source of alternative electrical production. A major advantage of biomass energy facilities located on dairy farms appears to be their inherent stability and ability to produce a consistent, 24 hour supply of electricity. However, technical analysis indicated that the Fiscalini Farms system was operating below capacity and that economic sustainability would be improved by increasing loading of feedstocks to the digester. Additional operational modifications, such as increased utilization of waste heat and better documentation of potential of carbon credits, would also improve the economic outlook. Analysis of baseline operational conditions indicated that a reduction in methane emissions and other greenhouse gas savings resulted from implementation of the project. The project results indicate that using anaerobic digestion to produce bio-methane from agricultural biomass is a promising source of electricity, but that significant challenges need to be addressed before dairy-based biomass energy production can be fully integrated into an alternative energy economy. The biomass energy facility was found to be operating undercapacity. Economic analysis indicated a positive economic sustainability, even at the reduced power production levels demonstrated during the baseline period. However, increasing methane generation capacity (via the importation of biomass codigestate) will be critical for increasing electricity output and improving the long-term economic sustainability of the operation. Dairy-based biomass energy plants are operating under strict environmental regulations applicable to both power-production and confined animal facilities and novel approached are being applied to maintain minimal environmental impacts. The use of selective catalytic reduction (SCR) for nitrous oxide control and a biological hydrogen sulfide control system were tested at this facility. Results from this study suggest that biomass energy systems can be compliant with reasonable scientifically based air and water pollution control regulations. The most significant challenge for the development of biomass energy as a viable component of power production on a regional scale is likely to be the availability of energy-rich organic feedstocks. Additionally, there needs to be further development of regional expertise in digester and power plant operations. At the Fiscalini facility, power production was limited by the availability of biomass for methane generation, not the designed system capacity. During the baseline study period, feedstocks included manure, sudan grass silage, and refused-feed. The ability of the dairy to produce silage in excess of on-site feed requirements limited power production. The availability of biomass energy crops and alternative feedstocks, such as agricultural and food wastes, will be a major determinant to the economic and environmental sustainability of biomass based electricity production

COMPARISON OF LOAD ESTIMATION METHODS FOR CALCULATING TOTAL MAXIMUM DAILY LOAD (TMDL) IN AGRICULTURAL WATERSHEDS

Waterbodies that are too polluted to meet established water quality standards are designated specific maximum amounts of pollutant that the waterbody can receive and still be considered safe for designated uses, known as Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDL). Regulating TMDLs requires estimating pollution load which can be difficult since pollutant concentration can often only be measured on a biweekly or monthly basis. Some of the most established methods for calculating load use an averaging technique; however, this method relies on a normal distribution of flow, which is often not the case for agricultural watersheds where flows consist primarily of irrigation runoff and are determined by human activity

COMPARISON OF LOAD ESTIMATION METHODS FOR CALCULATING TOTAL MAXIMUM DAILY LOAD (TMDL) IN AGRICULTURAL WATERSHEDS

Waterbodies that are too polluted to meet established water quality standards are designated specific maximum amounts of pollutant that the waterbody can receive and still be considered safe for designated uses, known as Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDL). Regulating TMDLs requires estimating pollution load which can be difficult since pollutant concentration can often only be measured on a biweekly or monthly basis. Some of the most established methods for calculating load use an averaging technique; however, this method relies on a normal distribution of flow, which is often not the case for agricultural watersheds where flows consist primarily of irrigation runoff and are determined by human activity

UNPRECEDENTED BLOOM OF TOXIN-PRODUCING CYANOBACTERIA IN THE SOUTHERN BAY-DELTA ESTUARY HAS NEGATIVE IMPACT ON THE AQUATIC FOOD-WEB

California’s Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta is an expansive fresh-water tidal estuary that is part of the San Francisco Estuary, the largest estuary on the US Pacific coast. Recently, there has been a collapse in the pelagic fish community in the San Francisco Estuary, known as the pelagic organism decline (POD). Blooms of the cyanobacteria Microcystis, which often produce the cyanotoxin microcystin, were first documented in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta in 1999. Cyanotoxins have been suspected as one contributing factor to POD. It has been proposed that microcystin could be contributing to POD directly though poisoning of fish or indirectly by affecting zooplankton and other food sources. Copepods, especially E. affinis and P. forbesi are important food sources for larval POD species. Delta and longfin smelt, threatened species, feed on rotifers and other small organisms the first weeks after hatching

UNPRECEDENTED BLOOM OF TOXIN-PRODUCING CYANOBACTERIA IN THE SOUTHERN BAY-DELTA ESTUARY HAS NEGATIVE IMPACT ON THE AQUATIC FOOD-WEB

California’s Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta is an expansive fresh-water tidal estuary that is part of the San Francisco Estuary, the largest estuary on the US Pacific coast. Recently, there has been a collapse in the pelagic fish community in the San Francisco Estuary, known as the pelagic organism decline (POD). Blooms of the cyanobacteria Microcystis, which often produce the cyanotoxin microcystin, were first documented in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta in 1999. Cyanotoxins have been suspected as one contributing factor to POD. It has been proposed that microcystin could be contributing to POD directly though poisoning of fish or indirectly by affecting zooplankton and other food sources. Copepods, especially E. affinis and P. forbesi are important food sources for larval POD species. Delta and longfin smelt, threatened species, feed on rotifers and other small organisms the first weeks after hatching