In Minnesota, for University of Minnesota (UMN) researchers, scum is a word packed with profitable promise. Their patented process not only converts the scum to a higher value product (biodiesel) but also reduces environmental pollutants in both landfills and water systems. As a result, 68 percent of dried and filtered scum can be converted to biodiesel, equivalent to approximately 140,000 gallons of biodiesel and $500,000-600,000 in profit per year. Additionally, the process utilizes available waste heat from water treatment facility. This research was funded in part by grants from the Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources (LCCMR), Metropolitan Council Environmental Service, MnDRIVE and CFANS Center for Biorefining. Tags: biodiesel, Minnesota, UMN Category: Research
Researchers at the University of Minnesota have developed a system for converting ethanol into biofuels using available waste ##water from water treatment facilities . The project — which was funded by grants from the Legislative - funded Commission on Minnesota fuels , Metropolitan Council Environmental Service , MnDRIVE and CFANS Center for recycling — found that up to 68 % of scum collected could be made into ethanol . This equates to some 140,000 gallons of the fuel , or $ 500,000 to $ 600,000 in annual costs .