Sludge Watch ==> Calif- energy from 3 sewage sludge fuel cells to EMWD

[Maureen Reilly]

Sludgewatch Admin:

If we are to find alternatives to land application we need to look at the 
best and cleanest technologies...and we need to stop mixing toilet wastes 
with industrial wastes.  We source separate our trash...we need to source 
separate our liquid wastes.

This looks like an interesting German technology headed into California.

.............................................
Biofuels News
November 21, 2007
FuelCell Energy sells three biogas fuel cells to EMWD

(Biopact) - FuelCell Energy, Inc., a manufacturer of high efficiency, 
ultra-clean power plants for commercial, industrial and utility customers, 
today announced the sale of three DFC300 power plants to Eastern Municipal 
Water District (EMWD) in California. The Direct Fuel Cell (DFC) power plants 
will supply 750 kilowatts (kW) of the electricity needed to run the EMWD 
wastewater processing facility while reducing local greenhouse gas emissions 
by 10,400 tons annually.

Using anaerobic digesters for biosolids treatment, EMWD generates methane 
gas. The DFC power plants will purify 100 percent of this gas and use it for 
fuel. DFC units do not burn fuel, but transform it electrochemically into 
hydrogen, water and electricity. Because no combustion is involved and 
because the units are more efficient than traditional power plants, DFC fuel 
cells emit near-zero pollutants and much less CO2 than other power 
generators in their size class. DFC fuel cells' low emissions will also help 
the District meet California's CARB 07 requirements - some of the most 
stringent in the U.S.

Unlike other fuel cell products, DFCs internally reform readily available 
fuels such as natural gas and biogas into the hydrogen gas required to power 
the fuel cell system. This internal reformation process is a key ingredient 
to the DFC's ability to operate at high electrical power generation 
efficiency. Internal reforming is possible due to the relatively high 
operating temperature (650-750°F) of the DFCs. This operating temperature 
has other advantages: non-precious metals can be used for the anode and 
cathode instead of platinum, resulting in significant cost savings. Also, 
the exhaust from the system is high-grade heat, capable of supporting a 
variety of heat recovery options, including steam generation.

The power plant consists of three subsystem sections: electrochemical fuel 
cells that produce the DC power, Electrical Balance of Plant (EBOP) section 
that converts the DC power into high quality AC power and the Mechanical 
Balance of Plant (MBOP) section contains the process equipment that prepares 
air, fuel, and water for use in fuel cell stack module.

Fuel and water are heated to the required fuel cell temperature in a heat 
recovery unit (HRU), which transfers heat from system exhaust gases.The 
heated humid fuel stream is sent to the fuel cell stacks where the fuel is 
converted to hydrogen, most of which is used in the electrochemical 
reaction. Residual fuel - i.e., fuel not consumed in the electrochemical 
reaction - is supplied to a catalytic reactor to heat incoming air. The 
heated air flows to the cathode to provide the cathode reactants (oxygen 
from the air and carbon dioxide from the anode reaction). Cathode exhaust 
gas exits the system through the heat exchanger used to preheat the fuel and 
water supplied to the HRU.

The fuel cells offer the benefits of cogeneration, known as CHP (combined 
heat and power). A bottoming process, in that heat can be extracted in the 
production of electric power, cogeneration using fuel cells can represent a 
significant opportunity to increase the efficiency of the power plant. The 
power plants have an exhaust temperature ranging from 650°C to 750°F. This 
heat energy can be captured to provide heat for buildings, swimming pools, 
and other facility needs. Alternatively, the heat can be turned into cold, 
as one Germany IT firm recently demonstrated when it took into operation a 
similar biogas fuel cell to power and cool its servers.

FuelCell Energy's cells operate with an electrical efficiency of 47 %, much 
higher than traditional fossil fuel power plants that average 30 to 35 
percent. When the DFC power plant's heat is also used, system efficiency can 
be as high as 80%. This added efficiency results in less fuel being consumed 
to generate a kilowatt of power or a BTU of heat, saving money and 
substantially reducing greenhouse gases.

EMWD is in southern California's Moreno Valley and processes 11.5 million 
gallons of wastewater per day from 190,000 homes and businesses in the area. 
Treatment of this waste stream is an around-the-clock operation, entailing 
energy-intensive processes such as disinfecting effluent, removing biosolids 
and reclaiming usable water.

Our ability to reduce air emissions and operating and maintenance costs were 
key factors in our decision to install FuelCell Energy fuel cells. In 
looking at the alternatives, including availability of grant funding through 
Southern California Edison's Self-Generation Incentive Program, our 
engineering team determined that DFC fuel cells were a cost-effective and 
environmentally friendly co-generation technology that meets the needs of 
our critical wastewater operations. - Charlie Bachmann, Assistant General 
Manager of Engineering, EMWD

The EMWD power plants will also capture heat generated by the DFC fuel cells 
and use this thermal energy in the wastewater treatment process itself. By 
eliminating a boiler and the gas-fired machinery that previously were used 
as heat sources, the new power plant further reduces air pollution and 
greenhouse gas emissions.

Municipalities throughout the U.S. are struggling to deal with the need to 
process ever growing amounts of wastewater. We can help them handle waste 
more cost effectively while generating ultra-clean power more efficiently. - 
William Karambelas, FuelCell Energy Vice President of Business Development

Fuel cells running on digester gas are categorized as renewable in 
California, qualifying them for the same treatment as either solar or wind 
power. Unlike solar and wind power, however, DFC fuel cells operating on 
biogas deliver ultra-clean power 24/7, meaning less dependence on costly and 
polluting grid electricity. FuelCell Energy's products are gaining market 
share in California and currently California orders and installations 
represent 43 percent of its worldwide business. Wastewater treatment 
customers in California are 40 percent of FuelCell Energy's California 
backlog and installed base.

The California Self-Generation Incentive Program will provide $3.375 million 
for this project through Southern California Edison. Alliance Power will 
serve as project manager and is expected to install the three power plants 
in the first half of 2008.

FuelCell Energy is the world leader in the development and production of 
stationary fuel cells for commercial, industrial, municipal and utility 
customers. FuelCell Energy's ultra-clean and high efficiency DFC(r) fuel 
cells are generating power at over 50 locations worldwide. The company's 
power plants have generated more than 200 million kWh of power using a 
variety of fuels including renewable wastewater gas, biogas from beer and 
food processing as well as natural gas and other hydrocarbon fuels. FuelCell 
Energy has partnerships with major power plant developers, trading companies 
and power companies around the world. The company also receives substantial 
funding from the U.S. Department of Energy and other government agencies for 
the development of leading edge technologies such as hybrid fuel 
cell/turbine generators and solid oxide fuel cells.

http://www.checkbiotech.org/green_News_Biofuels.aspx?infoId=16218