Harvest a power anaerobic digester and biomass gasifier.
Air and Odour Emissions Environmental Assessment and Permitting
The Task:
Obtain approval for a proposed anaerobic digester and biomass gasifier. The anaerobic digester will have the capacity to process and convert 27,000 tonnes per year of mixed food and commercial wastes into biogas, which will be burned in combined heat and power generator sets to produce approximately 1 MW of electricity.
The Client:
Harvest Power Inc. uses organic materials to produce renewable energy, soils, mulches and natural fertilizers. It operates of three of the largest commercial anaerobic digestion facilities in North America. (www.harvestpower.com)
The Challenge:
As part of the environmental assessment, several potential effects of airborne emissions on ambient air quality were identified originating from the bioenergy facility. .
PGL’s permit application identified production/process flow and emission controls at the facility and associated emission discharges of sulphur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, carbon monoxide, volatile organic compounds, ammonia, and particulate matter to the atmosphere. Emission sources included combined heat and power generators, emergency flares, biofilters and screening plants.
The Solution:
PGL conducted an air emissions and odour impact assessment as part of an environmental assessment for federal approval. Following this assessment, PGL prepared and submitted air discharge permit applications to Metro Vancouver for the anaerobic digester and biomass gasifier, as well as the associated compost operation operated by Fraser Richmond Soil and Fibre (FRSF). FRSF’s composting operation has the capacity to receive and compost 30,000 tonnes per year of forest products and 180,000 tonnes of municipal source separated organics per year.
The Result:
PGL worked with Harvest Power and the permitting agency to identify best available technology and strategies to reduce air emissions and odour.