Cargill Meat Solutions

Year Submitted: 2005

Process: Wastewater Treatment

Industry: Food/Beverage Manufacturing

Wastes Reduced: Methane, natural gas, greenhouse gases

Location: Friona TX

No. of employees: 2000

Contact: Patti Grillo

Phone: 316/832-7681

Description:

Partnering with EA Engineering, Science and Technology Inc, CMS designed and installed an automated biogas recovery system to recover methane from the facility's anaerobic wastewater treatment lagoons. The recovery system features an impermeable, gas-tight geomembrane floating cover, placed over the active, anaerobic lagoons and anchored along the top of the lagoon's berm. Perforated collection and conveyance piping is placed below the cover system. The accumulated biogas is pulled from the annular space between the top of the wastewater and the cover system by using a vacuum on a 6-inch perforated pipe. An HDPE pipeline then delivers gas from the cover via large centrifugal blowers. From there all gas is piped to the facility's boiler room via stainless steel and/or HDPE piping or, when necessary, to an emergency flare.

P2 Application:

The HDPE liner used to capture biogass is a proven technology for controlling methane emission and limiting rainwater infiltration into landfills. A secondary benefit of an HDPE cover is to contain heat within the lagoons and normalize the temperature. The increased heat and non-fluctuating temperature stabilizes and increases the waste biodegradation rate.

• Total Cost Savings: $750,000.00

Details of Reductions

• 7,800,000.0 - Pounds of   Methane gas
  

• Hydrogen sulfide
  Comments: 100% elimination of emissions of hydrogen sulfide and odors.

• Natural Gas
  Comments: Reduced use of natural gas by 20-35%.

Source: TCEQ