Richmond Tour on 4/9/99 (Dave & Peter)
by: TOASTMAN_2001 (39/M/Costa Mesa, CA)
26757 of 26757
Summary: The TMP appeared well designed (in layout and construction). The operations being performed appeared to be going smoothly. We
inspected the protein pellets produced from the food waste. It appears that we have a good process technology and operation.
Arrived at ~11:00AM and parked outside (next to office area). Observed truck (McRea Trucking Lines) parked on the scales. No discernable odors
were present (light breeze outside with cool air temperature). Entered building at office area, signed in, and put on smocks, rubber booties and hard
hats. Upon entering plant a discernable odor was observed.
Entered main receiving bay and saw a truck backed in which had just finished its dumping of raw food waste. The truck was being washed down with
pressurized hoses. A bulldozer was scooping and dumping waste into in the receiving mixing vat (about 80' away, located at back end of building). The
open bay door had an air curtain working. The plant also performs 6 air changes per hour and maintains a negative air pressure to help keep the odors
inside the building.
Walking past the fermentation tanks and towards the mixing vat, I became overwhelmed by the waste food odor (I'd now rather not see what sludge
is all about). Proceeded to look at other main components. Everything was much larger than I was expecting (didn't have a feel of what processing
several hundred tons/day would require). All components were identified as operational with the exception of the centrifuge, which was currently
being worked on for a motor control problem.
We ended the inside walk-thru at the plant control station. The indicators, controls and displays were well laid out, accessible and visible. The output
conveyor line was located near this station and was loaded with the protein feed pellets. I didn't bring a pellet back as I didn't want possible trouble
with the US Customs folks (thinking is may be an illegal drug).
As we exited I noticed that the odor permeated my senses and clothing. Took quite a few minutes to air out. Walked around building to look at area
slated for plant expansion (to increase plant from 400 to 600 tons/day). Expansion will require additional fermentation tanks and minor plumbing. With
exception of fermentation tanks, all the other plant components (e.g., evaporator, centrifuge, etc.) are sized to handle a 600 ton/day output. Because of
this, the cost to increase plant capacity should be marginal (approx $1.5 million).
Walked to the street side of plant. It contained the air purification system. It was very large (almost the full length of the building). This
state-of-the-art system is designed to produce an air purity of 99.9%. It has five processing stages and essentially incinerates particulates at around
2400 deg. F. It requires no routine service and has a Bake Out feature similar to a self-cleaning oven.
We went back into the office area, changed clothes, loaded up and left at approx. 11:30AM. On the way back we stopped at International
Bio-Recovery. It processes 20 tons/day and has fermentation tanks outside (so building is much smaller). Didn't notice an outside air purification
system from our street view.
Other comments and items from discussions:
1) The processing operation is evidently conducted by four people (per 12 hour shift).
2) The plant was relatively clean and presented a good appearance both inside and outside.
3) The operation, at this time, is serviced by 29 clients for trucking in food waste from various nearby suppliers.
Posted: 04/15/99, 12:12AM EDT as a reply to: Msg 26619 by TOASTMAN_2001 |
