Design of the upgrades is being directed by California-based environmental engineering and construction firm Brown and Caldwell. Construction is scheduled to begin by fall 2020.
Already accepting organic waste from third-party carriers, the Derry Township Municipal Authority is developing long-range plans to maximize the capability to receive additional organic wastes. Facility upgrades are considered key to expanding capacity and increasing energy efficiency.
Under DTMA’s energy enhancement program at the WWTF, Brown and Caldwell will lead the design of a combined heat and power (CHP) facility capable of burning biogas that will power two generator engines. After pairing with a new gas conditioning system for high-quality fuel production, the CHP facility will integrate into the WWTF’s existing electrical and heating system to provide electricity and heat throughout. Brown and Caldwell will assist DTMA with the procurement of the engines through COSTARS, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania's cooperative purchasing program.
Other improvements include a conveyance system to transport gas throughout the facility, sludge blending tank enhancements to maximize energy recovery via biogas generation, and secondary digester modifications for future conversion to a primary digester.
“Increasing the production and beneficial use of anaerobic digester biogas as our fuel source to provide power and heat is significantly more efficient and environmentally sustainable than using electrical power from the grid or fossil fuels,” said DTMA Executive Director Wayne Schutz.
Upon completion of improvements, the WWTF will increase biogas power generation from 280 to 1,600 kilowatt’s per hour, significantly reducing the facility's carbon footprint.
