T E C H N O L O G Y G U I D A N C E

A N A L Y S I S O F B I O D I G E S T E R S
A N D D E H Y D R A T O R S
T O M A N A G E O R G A N I C S O N - S I T E
F ood waste is pulped and dewatered
(example above) prior to dehydration
by thermal means. Units can include
pulping or be paired with stand- alone
equipment. A S omat dehydrator is
shov/n below.
Pending organics disposal bans and/or
commitments to divert food waste from
landfills has led to fairly aggressive
marketing hy vendors of^ on-site food waste
processing systems.
Parti
ZoNeale
C
U RRE N T interest in and/or
government mandates to di-
vert source separated organ-
ics (SSO) frequently outpaces
development of locally avail-
able composting and anaero-
bic digestion capacity. Food
waste, the predominant SSO in the com-
mercial organics stream, is wet and
heavy leading to financial and logistical
challenges when trucking it from the
generator to an often distant processing
facility. T his reality has led to opportu-
nities for on-site processing systems
that either: 1) Substantially reduce the
weight and volume of the organics prior
to hauling; or 2) Biologically break down
and liquefy the organics to the point
that they can be disposed through the
existing sanitary sewer system, elimi-
nating hauling for this waste stream al-
together. T his dynamic has led to many
organics generators being solicited with
increasing firequency by on-site system
vendors, particularly in states like Mas-
sachusetts, C onnecticut, Vermont and
C alifornia, which are at the forefront of
implementing organics diversion poli-
cies. For generators subject to upcoming
organics disposal bans (see "Mas-
sachusetts Sets the T able for an O rgan-
ics Ban," D ecember 2012) and who are
not already separating their organics
for composting, on-site solutions appear
to be a veritable "silver bullet."
As SSO generators and facility man-
agers attempt to obtain information
about on-site systems independent of
the sales calls and marketing claims,
they can encounter difficulty finding ob-
jective comparative studies that discuss
the range of available options applica-
ble to their site-specific considerations.
T he goal of this two-part article series
is to provide an objective analysis for in-
stitutional, commercial and industrial
(IC I) generators of food waste. Part 1
describes and discusses two categories
of on-site processing technologies for
the IC I sector: biodigesters (otherwise
known as "wet" systems) and dehydra-
tors ("dry" systems). Part 2 includes
case studies of users of various on-site
systems. N ot all commercially available
2 0 BI O C Y C L E
O C T O BE R 2 013
on-site systems in these two categories
are included in Parts I and II.
In general, on-site systems may effec-
tively address challenges that food
waste generators have regarding space
constraints, vector control and cost. Ac-
cording to the sales literature, units be-
ing marketed can process anywhere
from 100 lbs to 3,000 lbs or more of or-
ganics over a 24-hour period utilizing a
relatively small footprint, which has in-
tuitive appeal to many potential cus-
tomers. Additionally, the systems are
often seen by generators as a relatively
simple, low-maintenance option, partic-
ularly when transitioning from a non-
source separating system where organ-
ics are mixed with MSW. Of particular
interest to most ICI kitchens is the per-
ceived cost differential between tradi-
tional source separating and hauling of
organics versus on-site management.
The challenge for on-site solutions
providers becomes one of presenting a
system that lives up to the product
claims including reliability, ease of use,
accurate costs for water and electricity
use, permitting requirements and com-
position of the residual liquid or solid.
Ultimately, though, it is the responsi-
bility of the purchaser to independently
validate these parameters as well as
compare results across solutions.
Photo courtesy on Onsite Waste Solutions
The EcoVim 250 dehydrator installed at
the La Quinta Resort & Spa processes
250 lbs/day of food waste, yielding 25
lbs of processed organics.
Throughout the process of conducting
research for this article, one of the most
challenging aspects was to identify and
successfully contact distributors and
vendors of the various technologies. Of
the approximately nine biodigester
companies contacted, only half returned
calls despite repeated attempts. This
narrowed the universe of companies
profiled. Also precluded from the re-
search set were companies that did not
have contact information in the U.S.
and/or lacked reference facilities in the
U.S. In the dehydration marketplace,
we found that changes in distribution
agreements are quite common, leading
to confusion as to who is selling what,
what party is responsible for mainte-
nance, and difficulty reconciling differ-
ing product claims. Unfortunately this
ever-changing landscape makes it very
difficult for potential customers to con-
duct independent due diligence. Confir-
mation of' product promises is compli-
cated by the fact that many of these
systems are distributed by resellers,
equipment leasing companies and
waste consultants (separate from direct
distribution), who often change the sys-
tem that they sell/lease for a myriad of
reasons. This distribution opacity has
created confusion and uncertainty in
the marketplace.
BASIC DESCRIPTIONS
Dehydrators and biodigesters em-
ploy varying levels and different types
of technology. Dehydrators use a me-
chanical/thermal approach that effec-
tively separates liquids from the solids.
Dehydration systems can include pulp-
ing within the dehydrator itself, or can
be coupled with stand-alone pulping
and dewatering units to achieve maxi-
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B I O C Y C L E
O C T O B E R 2 0 1 3 2 1
Photo courtesy of BioGreen
D E H Y D R A T O R V E N D O R S
S
ystem descriptions excerpted from
saies iiterature, interviews and ven-
dor ciaims are summarized:
Ecovim: Decomposing ciiamber is
"capabie of producing 180F" during
processing to "ensure end product is
essentiaiiy odor free;" End product
"can be used as a sou amendment
suitable for use in landscaping;" S ys-
tem capable of "r educi ng com-
postable waste weight and volume by
83% to 93%" depending on waste in-
put; "No negative environment dam-
age from TS S or BOD."
Somat: Decomposing chamber will
"heat the waste, kiii any bacteria and re-
duce the waste matter by up to 93%;"
Temperatures up to 180F "ensure end
mum volume and weight reduction.
With both approaches, the liquid por-
tion is disposed of through the sewer
and the greatly reduced solid portion is
disposed of or diverted for recycling. At
locations with higher volumes such as
college cafeterias, preprocessing sepa-
rately and then dehydrating in the unit
Photo courtesy of Gaia
The Gaia dehydrator has an 8 to 11
hour processing cycle and can be
equipped with a tote lifter to empty
food waste into the machine.
product is odor free;" End product is
"ideal for use as soil amendment."
Gaia: "Accelerates reduction pro-
cess" based on drying, sterilizing and
grinding mixed food scraps and or-
ganic waste; . During 8 to 11 hours
processing cycle, food waste weight
and volume are "reduced by up to 90
percent;" Proprietary blower chamber
technology that "enables addition of
new food scraps without loss of pro-
cessing efficiency" while unit is oper-
ating; "Double helix shredder and
blade design prevents jamming and
lowers maintenance costs;" Output is
"st eri li zed, dehydrated materi al."
(Gaia recommends analysis of output
to "determine its best application.")
is recommended for best results. The
three companies most established in
selling dehydrators are Somat, Eco Vim
and Gaia although other machines are
available. There are also hybrid sys-
tems available such as the BioGreen.
This system combines elements of
biodigesters with dehydrators result-
ing in a pelletized organic
residual by-product. Over-
all, composters interviewed
who receive the output from
dehydrators expressed sat-
isfaction with this feedstock
as it contains valuable ni-
trogen and carbon.
Biodigesters rely upon ad-
dition of proprietary biolog-
ical agents and water to
achieve their promised re-
sults of accelerated decom-
position. The systems ap-
pear to break down the
organics enough to get them down the
drain (after adding water), which dis-
tinguishes them from garbage dispos-
BioGreen's hybrid system (shown at an
installation in Boston) combines
elements of biodigesters and
dehydrators, resulting in a pelletized
organic residual by-product.
als (which directly macerate the mate-
rials). Biodigesters all utilize additives,
which in most cases are a proprietary
mix of enzymes and microbes. (An ex-
ception is EnviroPure, which claims its
"BioMix does not contain any microbes,
bacteria or enzymes" but instead is
comprised of minerals, nutrients,
amino acids and vitamins.) The addi-
tives in these systems essentially ac-
celerate the decomposition process
and, with the addition of incremental
amounts of water, transform the or-
ganic solids into a liquid within a 24-
hour period. Many of the companies de-
scribe the technology as "waste to
water" although it should be noted that
the "water" is gray water, which may
contain relatively high levels of bio-
chemical oxygen demand (BOD) that
can be corrosive to plumbing, detri-
mental to wastewater treatment sys-
tems and may contain high levels of
nonbeneficial bacteria.
Many of these machines originated in
South Korea and have been licensed to
various entities to sell in the U.S. The
Table 1. Biodigesters (aii disciiarge to sewer)
Vendor
Capacity/
24 hours
(lbs)
BioHitech America 800-3,000
Green Key
EnviroPure
ow8rKnot
300-2,000
120-3,000
110-2,000
/
Installs
100+
15
50+
-
Footprint*
LxW
(inches)
70x44
76x48
110x120
69x48
Weight*
(lbs)
2.000
1.635
3,700
1,500
Power
Requirements *
208v - 30 amp
3 phase
220v - 60kz
3 phase
220v - 40 amp
3 phase
208v - 60hz
3 phase
Water
Hot & cold
Hot & cold
Cold
Hot & cold
Water Usage
(max. gal
24/hrs)
300
334
452
320
Effluent
Discharged*
(gal/day)
400-500
415
-
_
Frequency
Of Seeding
(month)
2
3
-
_
Biologic
Microbes
& enzymes
Microbes
& enzymes
Micronutrients
Microbes
& enzymes
'Dimensions and specs for largest unit
22 BIOCYCLE
OCTOBER 2013
key differentiators between biodi-
gesters on the market are the composi-
tion of the biologic agent added to the
waste to accelerate the decomposition
process, and how effectively and effi-
ciently the systems process and convert
the waste to liquid. Water usage by
these units range from 1 gallon/4 lbs of
food on the low end to 1 gallon/1 lb on
the high end.
Tables 1 and 2 summarize details on
biodigester and dehydration systems
discussed in this article.
SEWER CONSIDERATIONS
Due to the relatively small installed
base of biodigesters and dehydrators
in the U.S., most wastewater and
plumbing permitting authorities have
not revised guidelines or regulations
that would apply to installation of
these systems. After interviewing mul-
tiple wastewater authorities at munic-
ipal and district levels, regulatory offi-
cials have either limited knowledge of
these systems or, at best, a very gen-
eralized understanding of what they
do and how they do it. Biodigester com-
panies are generally encountering lit-
tle permitting resistance when in-
stalling their systems as they often
characterize the install as "replacing
an existing fixture" such as a slop sink,
which requires no permitting. As such,
B IODIG ESTER V ENDORS
The food chute is pictured on
EnviroPure's biodigester. Units range in
capacity from 120 to 3,000 lbs/24-
hour period.
S
YS TEM descriptions excerpted
from saies literature, interviews
and vendor ciaims are summa-
rized:
BioHitech America: Eco-S afe Di-
gester "saves up to 50 percent/
month" from reduced hauiing costs;
iVlonitors pH and can introduce either
acidic or alkaiine solution to restore
effluents to near neutral levels; BOD,
COD, TS S levels "typically under ac-
ceptable limits;" Can digest up to
2,500 lbs/day, including vegetables,
fruits, meat, fish, poultry, grains, cof-
fee grinds, egg shells and dairy prod-
ucts, with decomposition occurring
within 24 hours; Approximately 100
gallons of effluent are produced by
every 1,200 pounds of food digested.
EnviroPure (wet): EPW Food Waste
Disposal is self-contained, continual
feed system; By-products include nu-
trient depleted gray water effluent
"safe for disposal into municipal waste
water sewer systems (see Table 1 in
main article); "Effluent can be reused
for irrigation and agricultural applica-
tions;" Processes in batch or continual
vendors often do not proactively con-
tact the local wastewater agency re-
garding acceptable discharge levels for
BOD, FOG (fats, oils, grease) and total
solids levels unless requested to do so
by the customer.
Permitting authorities are cognizant
of potential wastewater system issues
that may stem from traditional garbage
grinding or macerating of food waste
prior to direct disposal into a treatment
plant's sanitary sewer system, e.g., po-
tential to cause "slugs," otherwise
known as clogs. As such, many munici-
palities explicitly prohibit this grinding
with direct disposal. As authorities be-
come more aware of the potential for
problematic new effiuent discharges
into their sewer systems, a serious con-
cern arises regarding potential damage
to the plumbing systems over time.
feed modes with "complete decompo-
sition of food waste" typically within 24
hours and available in operational pro-
cessing capacities ranging from
150lbs to 6,000lbs per day; Utilizes "all
natural EP-BioMix formulation that
provides the natural bacteria present in
the food with critical nutrients required
for rapid breakdown of food."
Green Key: "Add food and in 24
hours all organic material breaks down
into an odor-free, reusable water efflu-
ent;" Permitting process "is generally
similar to installing a dishwasher," but
may vary as different municipalities
have different code requirements; Wa-
ter effluent "can be treated and col-
lected for grey water (e.g. toilet flush-
ing or irrigation purposes)."
Power Knot: Unit, named "Liquid
Food Composter," decomposes food
"within 24 hours;" Discharge is "safe to
enter sewage system;" Payback is
"typically 18 to 36 months;" Waste
food is "not being chopped but it is de-
composed to such a degree that it be-
comes a liquid and can exit the ma-
chine only through a fine mesh screen."
Wastewater from industries that gener-
ate large amounts of food waste tend to
carry high levels of chemical and biolog-
ical pollutants, especially BOD. When
mixed in a sanitary sewer system with
sulfates, normally present in the human
digestive track, hydrogen sulfide (H2S),
can be formed. H2S is a corrosive and
acidic gas that can corrode pipes not
a desirable outcome for those responsi-
ble for maintaining plumbing and
wastewater systems. Municipalities
and districts with smaller wastewater
treatment facilities and/or older build-
ings with narrower drains are particu-
larly vulnerable to these effects due to
smaller volumes and pipe sizes.
Enzymes pose another potentially
problematic element to many of the bio-
logical systems. In one interview with a
wastewater enforcement officer, con-
Table 2. Dehydrators
Vendor
Ecovim
S omat
Gaia
Capacity/
24 hours
(lbs)
125-3,300
Up to 220
66-4,400
Venting
No
No
No
*C an add food scraps during processing
BI OC YC L E
Water
No
No
No
Drain
Yes
Yes
Yes
Temp.
CF)
180
180
200
Weight/Vol.
Reduction
(%)
83-93
93
Up to 90
Accepts
Uncoated
Cardboard
& Paper
Yes; up to 15%
Yes
Yes
Electric
(volt)
220
208-480
Continuous
Or
Batch
Batch
Batch
C ontinuous*
Electricity
Use
(largest unit)
16-20 kw
3kw
400-1,400 kwh/day
OC TOBER 2013 2
BioHitech America utilizes microbes and
enzymes to break down food waste in
its biodigesters (two units shown side-
by-side at a food bank installation in
New Jersey).
cern was expressed that using enzymes
to liquefy organics only serves to break
down the waste temporarily, with much
of the FOG congealing again further
downstream. Similar issues have been
raised about bacteria as a FOG man-
agement tool. The fact that many of
these chemical and hiological solutions
are new to the market means that these
agents and the vendors who sell them
are essentially self-regulated, which
can lead to overly liberal interpretation
of sewer regulations.
RECONCILING PRODUCT CLAIMS
WITH REALITY
Waste To Water: The scope of
research for this article included
interviewing vendors, users, con-
sultants and wastewater offi-
cials. Throughout this process,
the most challenging aspect has
heen suhstantiation of the ven-
dors' marketing claims. (In addi-
tion, a number of companies, es-
pecially in the hiodigester
market, appear to he actively
marketing systems hut are not
accessible via telephone or email.)
Biodigester vendors use the claim,
"waste to water." All of the hiodigester
systems included in this study claim sig-
nificant BOD and total suspended solids
(TSS) reduction although this
claim is clearly the most difficult
to independently confirm hecause:
1) Levels vary depending on the
type of initial waste fed into the
machine (some organics such as
dough and dairy have inherently
higher BOD levels); 2) Levels are
dependent on "seed count" of the
microorganisms (the amount of
bacteria present at any given
time); and 3) Very few indepen-
dent studies of effluent character-
ization are puhlicly availahle.
Table 3 provides an example of a
Organics Recycling
Authority
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J u st $49 = 12 pr i nt issu es + A l l onl i ne content
(or call 510.967.4135 ext.21)
vendor's effluent claims. Bear in mind
that substantial amounts of water are
added to a substrate (organic waste)
that already has a liquid content of ap-
proximately 85 percent water.
Food Waste In, Compost Out. Two
claims found in the marketing materi-
als of dehydrator systems are "Food
Waste In, Compost Out" and "Food
Waste In, Potable Water Out." First, the
claim that the residual is stable enough
to be directly utilized like compost is
problematic as the solid residual, if not
adequately cured, can lead to large fun-
gal colonies, odors and associated is-
sues. Studies have shown that using de-
hydrated food waste as a soil
amendment, either alone or mixed with
compost, creates an environment con-
Green Key's literature notes that water
effluent from its biodigester (unit sho>vn
installed at a university dining hall) can
be "treated and collected for grey
water" uses.
ducive to fungus and attractive to a va-
riety of unwelcome vectors (see "Food
Waste Diversion At Urban University,"
December 2011). Interviewees have in-
dicated the key variable influencing
fungus growth is the moisture content
present in the residual after a full treat-
ment cycle, which appears to vary fi-om
system to system. The other component
of all dehydration systems is the liquid
portion that has heen captured in a va-
por form, reconstituted in a vessel and
then disposed via a drain. Some vendors
claim that this water is potahle (one
salesperson is reported to actually drink
the water at sales calls to prove it).
Bearing in mind that that the liquid
portion has measurable BOD levels, it is
advisable that hoth the liquid and the
solid fractions are tested to ensure no
deleterious impacts.
COSTS V S. BENEF ITS
As with any additional piece of equip-
ment in most commercial and institu-
tional kitchen settings, space considera-
tions are always a significant hurdle to
overcome. Also, depending on which
machine and/or technology a generator
is considering (biodigesters and dehy-
24 BIOCYCLE
OCTOBER 2013
Table 3. Example of biodigester effluent claims
Wastewater Discharge Criteria
Biochemical oxygen demand (BOD)
Fats, oiis & grease (FOGs)
Total suspended solids (TSS)
Limits (mg/L)
300-500
100-150
300-500
Effluent (mg/L)
25-30
G-10
25-35
Source: EnviroPure
dration systems alike), access to a drain
and/or plumbing (hot and cold or just
cold) are considerations. The relatively
high amount of water required for hiodi-
gesters is cited by users as both cost and
sustainability considerations. A key ben-
efit cited by vendors of dehydration sys-
tems is that they effectively split the
waste into its two basic components,
solids and liquids, and process them sep-
arately. As an example, a typical dehy-
drator will convert 250 pounds of food
waste into 25 pounds of sterile organic
biomass and 25 gallons of water.
Dehydrators are engineered to maxi-
mize energy efficiency although the
amount of electricity required is higher
relative to a biodigestion system. Anoth-
er aspect of dehydrators that has been cit-
ed as a implementation challenge is that
most units are batch systems, which can
lead to large amounts of organic waste
needing to be stored while waiting for the
uninterruptible process to finish. Biodi-
gesters, on the other hand, are continu-
ous feed systems; waste may be added at
any time as long as there is sufficient
room in the vessel.
Inset photo of the Power Knot illustrates
the types of food waste that the unit
(installed adjacent to the range] can
process.
When comparing dehydrators and
biodigesters, the significant differences
are what goes in and what comes out. De-
hydrators typically do not require added
water as they vaporize the liquid via high
temperature, providing the generator
with an organic residual that typically
shows an 85 to 95 percent reduction in
volume and weight. This residual,
though, still requires off-site transport,
which represents a discreet cost. Biodi-
gesters, on the other hand, work by
adding water to biochemically slurried
waste and getting rid of it via the sewer.
Although hauling is avoided with biodi-
gesters, vendors charge for their propri-
etary biological additives, which are
added at intervals ranging fi-om continu-
ously to once every three to four months.
Another cost component for these sys-
tems is the required regular replacement
of the media added to the vessels (wood
or plastic chips) that essentially serve as
a habitat for the microorganisms.
One of the key sustainability benefits of
dehydrators vs. biodigesters is that a
much larger fraction of nutrient value in
the organics is retained. The water that is
disposed (condensate) by dehydration sys-
tems does contain BODs although these
levels have not been flagged as a major
concern. Effluent from biodigesters, on
the other hand, is raising red flags in the
wastewater community because if the liq-
uid that is being discharged into the
wastewater treatment system does, in
fact, carry high levels of BOD and sludge,
then the cost of the disposal is essentially
being transferred from the generator to
the municipal ratepayers.
On-site organic waste solutions for
larger organics generators are appeal-
ing on economic, logistical and hy-
gienic levels, but the promise of a
proverbial "silver bullet" solution to
dealing with large amounts of organ-
ics simply does not exist. Indeed, with
every system reviewed and re-
searched there are tangible benefits
although none are without costs and
opaque product claims. Ultimately,
what is clear is that as a result of the
light regulatory environment govern-
ing dehydration and biodigestion sys-
tems coupled with their relatively new
appearance on the market, the customer
bears the responsibility to verify and val-
idate vendor claims. As one individual
who has had experience with these sys-
tems said...buyer be aware!
Zo Neale has spent the bulk of her career as
an equity mutual fund manager and advo-
cate for socially responsible investment. She
currently works as a business consultant
and is a founder and director of Save That
Stuff Organics, an organics solutions affili-
ate of Save That Stuff Inc. Zo is Treasurer
of MassRecycle and chairs the Organics
Committee for that organization.
This environmentally beneficial
biocatalyst contains a complex
mixture of natural nutrients,
vitamins, and trace elements
specifically designed to disallow
the formation of H2S, ammonia,
mercaptans and skatole to
eliminate odors and corrosion
problems naturally.
Natural. Biodegradable.
Safe. Non-Toxic.
Not a masking agent or
essential oil.
BIOCYCLE
OCTOBER 2013 25