A Handbook for Developing Anaerobic Digestion/Biogas ...

1 EPA 430-B-20-001 Project Development Handbook A Handbook for Developing Anaerobic Digestion/Biogas Systems on Farms in the United States 3rd Edition AgSTAR Project Development Handbook i Acknowledgments The EPA s AgSTAR Program would like to acknowledge the many individuals and organizational contributors who supported the update and enhancement of this 3rd version of the Project Development Handbook . Within EPA, work was led and directed by Nick Elger, AgSTAR & Global Methane Initiative Program Manager; Vanessa McKinney, AgSTAR Program Manager; and Chris Voell, former AgSTAR Program Manager. Other EPA offices and staff also contributed to the analysis and technical review of the Handbook , and EPA wishes to acknowledge Jessica Montanez, Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards; Robert Bastian, Office of Water; and Chris Carusiello, Office of Land and Emergency Management.

2 EPA also wishes to acknowledge and thank the following industry experts who conducted a technical and independent review of the document: Mark Stoermann, Chief Operating Officer, Newtrient; Dana Kirk, , , Manager of the Anaerobic Digester Research and Education Center (ADREC) and Assistant Professor, Michigan State University; and Nora Goldstein, Editor, BioCycle. Finally, EPA would like to recognize and thank the following Tetra Tech staff who provided significant technical and operational expertise to develop and refine content for the Handbook : Chris Bachman, Jennifer Guo, Gina Masell Haylett, Keith Henn, Phil Lusk, Cathy McGirl, Steve Michener, Chris Noah, and David Palmer.

3 EPA also wishes to acknowledge Eastern Research Group, Inc. and SRA International for their guidance in providing an initial framework and content for the development of the Handbook . Notice and Disclaimer The AgSTAR Project Development Handbook provides technical information, processes and concepts to better inform the development of Anaerobic Digestion/Biogas systems. The Handbook may not address all information, factors, applicable regulations, or considerations that may be relevant or required for Anaerobic Digestion/Biogas projects. Any references to private entities, products or services are strictly for informational purposes and do not constitute an endorsement of that entity, product or service.

4 The Handbook provides links to non-EPA websites that provide additional information about Anaerobic Digestion/Biogas systems. EPA cannot attest to the accuracy of non-EPA information provided by these third-party sites or any other linked site. EPA is providing these links for your reference. In doing so, EPA does not endorse any non-government websites, companies or applications. AgSTAR Project Development Handbook ii Table of Contents Abbreviations and Acronyms .. v Introduction and Considerations .. 1-1 Keys to a Successful AD/Biogas System .. 1-2 Is an AD/Biogas System Right for You? .. 1-6 When is AD Not Applicable?.. 1-8 Anaerobic Digestion Overview .. 2-1 What is AD?

5 2-1 Is AD a New Technology? .. 2-1 How does AD Work? .. 2-2 What Are the Best Applications for AD? .. 2-3 Where and How Many Biogas Systems are in the United States? .. 2-5 What Are the Benefits of AD? .. 2-7 What is the Potential for Implementing More AD/Biogas Systems? .. 2-14 What Are Common Challenges of AD/Biogas Systems? .. 2-14 How to Overcome the Common Challenges of AD/Biogas Systems? .. 2-16 Process Fundamentals .. 3-1 The AD Process .. 3-1 AD/Biogas System Process Components .. 3-3 AD Process Design Parameters .. 3-6 What Types of Anaerobic Digesters are There? .. 3-8 Digester Feedstocks .. 4-1 Biomethane Testing and Anaerobic Toxicity Assays.

6 4-2 Livestock Manures .. 4-5 Co-Digestion .. 4-10 Boosting Biogas Potential .. 4-14 AD/Biogas System Products, Equipment and Uses .. 5-1 Biogas Uses .. 5-1 Digestate and Its Uses .. 5-10 Economic and Financial Factors .. 6-1 Capital Investment .. 6-1 Operating Expenses .. 6-3 Project Revenues .. 6-5 Owner and Operator Models .. 6-11 Project Finance .. 6-13 Financial Assistance for Agricultural Projects .. 6-14 Screening and Feasibility Studies .. 7-1 Screening .. 7-2 Pre-Feasibility Study .. 7-3 Feasibility Study .. 7-6 Business Relationships .. 8-1 Interconnection Guidelines .. 8-1 Renewable Natural Gas .. 8-5 Organics Contracts .. 8-6 Project Finance.

7 8-7 Construction Contracts .. 8-7 Operational Contracts .. 8-7 Permitting .. 9-1 Permitting Process .. 9-1 Air Quality .. 9-3 Water Quality .. 9-5 Water Supply .. 9-6 AgSTAR Project Development Handbook iii Solid Waste .. 9-6 Land Use .. 9-6 Co-Digestion Feedstock Permitting .. 9-6 Additional Permitting Considerations .. 9-6 Public and Community Outreach .. 10-1 Safety, Operation, and Maintenance Considerations .. 11-1 Safety .. 11-1 Maintaining Operational Stability .. 11-5 Maintenance of Mechanical Components .. 11-6 Additional Tools and 12-1 AD/Biogas System Basics & Overview .. 12-1 AgSTAR Project Profiles .. 12-1 Digester Feedstock 12-2 Financial Assistance Information for Agricultural 12-3 Project Screening and Feasibility Study 12-4 Online Tools and Software.

8 12-5 Business Relationships .. 12-6 Permitting .. 12-6 Safety, Operations, and Maintenance Considerations .. 12-6 AgSTAR Partner 12-6 Tables Benefits of AD/Biogas Systems .. 2-8 Characteristics of Covered Anaerobic Lagoon Digester .. 3-9 Characteristics of Plug-flow Digesters .. 3-11 Characteristics of Complete Mix Digesters .. 3-12 Characteristics of Induced Bed Reactor Digesters .. 3-15 Characteristics of Fixed Film Digesters .. 3-16 Characteristics of Anaerobic Sequencing Batch Reactors .. 3-17 Characteristics of High Solids Anaerobic Digesters .. 3-18 Manure Types and Suitability for Digestion .. 4-9 Summary of Combined Heat and Power Technologies.

9 5-5 Capital Budget Example .. 6-2 Examples of Operating Expenses .. 6-4 Types of Business Model Ownership 6-11 Figures Illustration of an AD/Biogas System on a Farm .. 1-4 10 Keys to Digester Success .. 1-5 Business Model for a Hypothetical AD/Biogas System .. 1-7 General Comparison of Anaerobic Digestion and Composting .. 1-9 Basic AD/Biogas System Flow Diagram .. 2-1 Various Commercial AD/Biogas Systems .. 2-4 Operational AD/Biogas Systems in the United States .. 2-5 Operational Farm-Based AD/Biogas Systems Operating in the 2-7 Energy Generation Options from AD/Biogas Systems .. 2-10 CNG from RNG Runs This Farm s 42-Rig Truck Fleet .. 2-12 Relative Carbon Intensity of Transportation Fuels - CARB.

10 2-13 Relative CI of Transportation Fuels DOE Argonne National Lab .. 2-14 The Anaerobic Degradation Process .. 3-1 AD and Biogas System 3-3 AgSTAR Project Development Handbook iv Picture of an Anaerobic Digester .. 3-4 How Total Solids Impact Technology Choice for Dairy Manure .. 3-6 Anaerobic Digestion Temperature Regions Map for the United States .. 3-9 Covered Anaerobic Lagoon Digester Diagram .. 3-10 Examples of Covered Anaerobic 3-10 Plug-flow Digester Diagram .. 3-11 Examples of Plug-flow Digesters .. 3-12 Complete Mix Digester Diagram .. 3-13 Examples of Complete Mix Digesters .. 3-13 Induced Bed Reactor Digester Diagram .. 3-14 Fixed Film Digester Diagram.