Defense Date

4-3-2025

Graduation Date

Spring 5-10-2025

Availability

Immediate Access

Submission Type

thesis

Degree Name

MS

Department

Environmental Science and Management (ESM)

School

School of Science and Engineering

Committee Chair

John Stolz

Committee Member

Philip Reeder

Committee Member

Stanley Kabala

Keywords

Anaerobic Digestion, Biogas, Biodigester, Bioenergy

Abstract

The current study is investigating the feasibility of an anaerobic digestion system

in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, at the old State Correctional Institute (SCI-Pittsburgh)

located at 1922 Westhall St. This location is immediately upstream of the Allegheny

County Sanitary Authority (ALCOSAN) along the Ohio River. Municipal solid waste

from ALCOSAN may be used as the main form of feedstock. ALCOSAN produced

roughly 36,500 tons of dry sludge in the reporting year 2023-2024. Based on the volume

of dry sludge from ALCOSAN it is estimated that an anaerobic digestion system could

yield approximately 29,930,000 kWh of energy, which is enough to power over 2,800

homes annually with a potential of approximately 101,760,000 kWh of energy after the

planned expansion. It is highly anticipated that an anaerobic digestion system will aid in

waste management, help the City of Pittsburgh to meet its 2030 Climate Action Plan

goals, and have a positive return on investment.

Language

English

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