Utilizing biotrickling filters to reduce water consumption at - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Utilizing biotrickling filters to reduce water consumption at fermentation and dryer stacks in ethanol plants Ashraf Aly Hassan, Ph.D., P. E. Civil Engineering Funding Amount: $20,000 USGS - Cost Share: $40,065 Funding Period: 03/01/2017 - 02/28/2018 Nebraska Water Center Advisory Board

Project Goal & Objective Minimize water and energy utilization as part of emissions control at ethanol plant by studying the feasibility of biotrickling filters as a green biological alternative. BTF utilization has the potential of water quantity reduction to 1/20 of that of the scrubber. • Examine the potential biodegradation of the major hazardous air pollutants constituents individually in a biotrickling filter • Compare the impact of elevated temperature and room temperature on the removal of hazardous air pollutants • Evaluate the removal efficiency of representative hazardous air pollutant mixtures in the biotrickling filter • Demonstrate biotrickling filter as a viable alternative to water scrubbers Nebraska Water Center Advisory Board

Projects tasks # Inlet conc., ppm v Temp. BTF Acetaldehyde Formaldehyde Ethanol A 5 - - B 10 - - 20 o C A C 20 - - D 30 - - I E 5 - - F 10 - - 50 o C B G 20 - - H 30 - - A - 5 - B - 10 - 20 o C A C - 20 - D - 30 - II E - 5 - F - 10 - 50 o C B G - 20 - H - 30 - A 20 20 10 B 20 20 20 20 o C A C 20 20 40 D 20 20 80 III E 20 20 10 F 20 20 20 50 o C B G 20 20 40 H 20 20 80 Nebraska Water Center Advisory Board

Project Progress • Masters student hired • All parts purchased • System buildup: In Progress Nebraska Water Center Advisory Board

Conference Presentation • Aly Hassan, A. “Towards more greener ethanol industry: Replacing scrubbers with biotrickling filters”, presented at the 2017 AEESP Research and Education Conference, held in Ann Arbor, MI, June 20- 22, 2017. • Ethanol Board: Emerging Issues Forum, will be held in La Vista, NE, April 2018 • Odors and Air Pollutants 2018 Conference: will be help in Portland, OR, March 25 – 28, 2018 • AWMA 111 th Annual Conference: will be held in Hartland, CT, June 25-28, 2018 Nebraska Water Center Advisory Board

Future Funding Plans Next Research Steps • The biodegradation of these compounds will need to be optimized in order to achieve practical EBRT. • Pilot study, where actual emissions will be evaluated. • Mixed with numerous compounds • Fluctuating concentrations. Future funding targets • Partnership with ethanol industry (Ethanol Board) • Grant Opportunities for Academic Liaison with Industry proposal to NSF: • CBET – Environmental Sustainability à October 2018 • DOE Nebraska Water Center Advisory Board

Questions and Discussion Nebraska Water Center Advisory Board