Refuse conversion to methane (RefCOM): a proof-of-concept anaerobic digestion facility

Conference · Mon Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1979

OSTI ID:5699303

Walter, D. K.; Brooks, C.

The US Department of Energy (DOE) is developing a process for the anaerobic digestion of solid waste and sewage sludge into methane. Known as RefCOM - Refuse Conversion to Methane - the DOE experimental facility in Florida can process 100 tons of raw refuse per day with an output as high as 700,000 cubic feet of gas (CH/sub 4/ and CO/sub 2/) per day. Based on an average home gas consumption of one million cubic feet per year, a 1,000 tons-per-day plant has the potential to meet the gas needs of over 7,000 homes. The objectives of the RefCOM experiment are to: establish information on the quality and quantity of gas produced; ascertain optimum operating parameters for both mesophilic and thermophilic modes; and evaluate the reliability of the techniques.

• Research Organization: Argonne National Lab., IL (USA); Department of Energy, Washington, DC (USA). Office of Building and Community Systems; Mittelhauser Corp., Downers Grove, IL (USA)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• DOE Contract Number: W-31109-ENG-38
• OSTI ID: 5699303
• Report Number(s): CONF-791006-2
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

09 BIOMASS FUELS
090122* -- Hydrocarbon Fuels-- Preparation from Wastes or Biomass-- (1976-1989)
140504 -- Solar Energy Conversion-- Biomass Production & Conversion-- (-1989)
32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATION
320604 -- Energy Conservation
Consumption
& Utilization-- Municipalities & Community Systems-- Municipal Waste Management-- (1980-)
ALKANES
ANAEROBIC DIGESTION
BIOCONVERSION
CRYOGENIC FLUIDS
DIGESTION
ENERGY SOURCE DEVELOPMENT
EVALUATION
FLORIDA
FLUIDS
FUNCTIONAL MODELS
HEATING
HYDROCARBONS
MANAGEMENT
MESOPHILIC CONDITIONS
METHANE
NORTH AMERICA
OPERATION
OPTIMIZATION
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
PILOT PLANTS
PROCESSING
PRODUCTION
QUALITY ASSURANCE
RESIDENTIAL SECTOR
SEWAGE
SEWAGE SLUDGE
SOLID WASTES
SOUTHEAST REGION
TECHNOLOGY ASSESSMENT
THERMOPHILIC CONDITIONS
USA
WASTE MANAGEMENT
WASTE PROCESSING
WASTES