Browsing by Author "Hagen, Timothy S"
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Item Development of Alternative On-site Treatment Systems for Wastewater Treatment: A Demonstration Project for Northern Minnesota(University of Minnesota Duluth, 1997-12-31) McCarthy, Barbara J; Axler, Richard P; Monson Geerts, Stephen D; Henneck, Jerald; Crosby, Jeff; Nordman, Del; Weidman, Peter; Hagen, Timothy S; Anderson, James; Gustafson, David; Kadlec, Robert; Otis, Richard; Sabel, GretchenThe major objectives at the northern site were 1) to design, construct, monitor and compare the yearround performance of alternative treatment systems, with respect to a conventional trench system, for treatment of typical single family wastewater flows (based on the removal of fecal coliform bacteria, BOD5, TSS, phosphorus, and nitrogen); 2) to compare subsurface water quality at several depths below drainfield trenches receiving discharge water from a conventional (i.e., septic tank) and alternative systems; 3) to design, construct, and monitor the performance of a subsurface drip irrigation system at different depths in the s0il; 4) to design, construct, and monitor the performance of a pressurized sewage treatment system utilizing small diameter pipe and a subsurface flow, constructed wetland treatment system for a .cluster of lakeshore homes on Grand Lake in order to demonstrate that this alternative technology could correct a problem representative of numerous other situations in Minnesota; and 5) to develop a technology transfer plan for effectively communicating the results of this study to the private sector, the public (i.e., potential users), and the appropriate local and state agencies.Item Development of Granulated Sorbents: Semi-Annual Progress Report(University of Minnesota Duluth, 1995-02) Hagen, Timothy SA semi-annual progress and financial report on developing and commercializing an effective absorbent peat granule for use in removing metals and hydrocarbons from wastewaters.Item Evaluation of Carex Peat, Sphagnum Moss Peat, and Sphagnum Top Moss As Oil Sorbents(University of Minnesota Duluth, 1990) Hagen, Timothy S; Malterer, Thomas J; Levar, Thomas EExperiments were conducted to evaluate the ability of Carex peat, Sphagnum moss peat, and Sphagnum top moss to sorb (i.e., to take up and hold oil by either adsorption or absorption) Lloydminster and UHC crude oils. Pure component and mixed components of the peats and top moss were used. Experiments were carried out under ambient temperature and pressure. The sorptive capacity, sorptive rate, and height of capillary rise of oil was measured for the sorbents. The sorptive capacity of the pure Sphagnum top moss, for both oils, was significantly higher than that of the two peats. Mixtures of Sphagnum top moss and Sphagnum moss peat also had relatively high sorptive capacities. Carex peat and mixtures containing predominantly Carex peat had low sorptive capacities. The sorptive rates differed by both the oil type and sorbent. All pure component and mixed component sorbents had relatively low sorptive rates for the higher viscosity Lloydminster oil, and only slightly higher sorptive rates for the lower viscosity UHC crude oil. Mixing lower sorptive rate materials with higher sorptive rate materials resulted in lower than expected sorptive rates. In all cases, the height of capillary rise was found to be significantly higher for the mixed component sorbents than for the pure component sorbents. A preliminary cost-benefit assessment suggests that pure Sphagnum top moss, and mixtures that contain predominantly Sphagnum top moss are relatively inexpensive (0.022 to 0.031 US$/Kg oil sorbed) sorbents, and they may be competitive with common commercial oil sorbents.Item Granulated Peat for Targeted Industrial Applications (1994-03): Semi-Annual Progress Report(University of Minnesota, Duluth, 1994-03) Hagen, Timothy S; Berguson, William E; Malterer, Thomas JObjective: To develop and commercialize an effective absorbent peat granule for use in removing metals and hydrocarbons from wastewater and as an industrial oil absorbent.Item Granulated Peat for Targeted Industrial Applications: Final Report(University of Minnesota, Duluth, 1994-10) Hagen, Timothy S; Kastner, Jim, Jr; Berguson, William EObjective: To develop and commercialize an effective absorbent peat granule for use in removing metals and hydrocarbons from wastewater and as an industrial oil absorbent.Item Groundwater Treatability Study Using Granulated Peat(University of Minnesota Duluth, 1996-07) Hagen, Timothy SExtensive research has focused on raw peat for removing contaminants such as dissolved metals and organics from wastewaters. Raw peat has significant cation exchange capacity due primarily to the carboxyl groups of its humic acid constituents. Efforts to capitalize on peats natural exchange capacity for industrial use has been hampered by the impermeability of peat to water flow, the tendency of organic matter to leach from peat, the instability of peat at pH values above 8, and its high dust content in dried form. Studies conducted by the Natural Resources Research Institute (NRRI) in conjunction with Peat Technologies Corporation {PTC) have focused on solving the impermeability, leaching, stability, and dust problems associated with using peat on an industrial scale. These efforts have identified a manufacturing process in which peat is converted into a highly porous, non leaching, stable granule for use in wastewater purification. The focus of this program was to evaluate the treatability of a groundwater contaminated with relatively high levels of dissolved organics using granulated peat. The organic contaminants include methyl ethyl ketone (MEK), acetone, tetrahydrafuran (THF), vinyl chloride, toluene, and others.Item NRRI Evaluation of Starch-Based Binders for Agglomerating Red Oak(University of Minnesota Duluth, 2019-01) Young, Matthew; Hagen, Timothy SCargill Industrial Starch (CIS) focuses on adding value to various starch fractionations through new market development. The purpose of this project is to identify the effect of different starch fractions on torrefied wood briquettes when blended at nominal 1% to 3% inclusion rates into torrefied red oak using the performance metrics of Kansas State Tumbling can durability and 24-hour moisture uptake. It was originally envisioned that conventional ring and die pelletizing could create testable 6.35 mm (¼ inch) pellets. However, after repeated failures and a multitude of die plugging issues, the decision was made to trial rotary briquetting as an alternative densification technique using a Komarek B220B briquetter. Previous batching trials conducted by the NRRI with the Komarek B220B using torrefied red oak as feedstock have yielded viable briquettes across a variety of binder types. Recent upgrades to the densification circuit have been made and include new grinding, larger batching and conveyance devices that enhance the safety and operational aspects of the system while allowing a variety of individual and unique densification equipment to be set in place and operated consistent with client needs across a variety of industries.Item Peat As an Adsorption Medium for Dissolved Organics: Final Report(University of Minnesota, Duluth, 1993-08) Hagen, Timothy SObjective: To evaluate the use of peat as an adsorption medium for dissolved organics and compare the results to activated carbon.Item Peat Based Sorbent Mats: Final Report(University of Minnesota, Duluth, 1993-08) Hagen, Timothy S; Malterer, Thomas JObjective: To develop a cost effective absorbent pad as a replacement for polypropylene and cotton pads.Item Peat-Based Sorbent Socks and Booms: Final Report(University of Minnesota, Duluth, 1993-08) Hagen, Timothy SItem Test Sample Production Report Torrefaction of Ponderosa Pine Chips(University of Minnesota Duluth, 2019-03) Hagen, Timothy S; Young, Matthew; Mack, Paul; Grochowski, Jack; Kangas, Kevin W; Fosnacht, Donald ROregon Torrefaction, LLC (OTL) and the US Endowment for Forestry and Communities has formed Restoration Fuels, LLC (RF) to construct and operate a 12 ton/h kiln torrefier which targets approximately 100,000 tons of torrefied woody biomass production annually. The plant will be colocated at the Malheur Lumber Mill, located in John Day, Oregon. Biomass sourcing will be principally small diameter, low-value wood from surrounding or nearby national forests including the Malheur and the Ochoco National Forests. The bulk of the woody biomass will be Ponderosa Pine from the dry land forests that surround John Day. Biomass coming from national forest areas have been evaluated for compliance with the US National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and are termed “shelf ready” for treatment. Restoration Fuels is now in the process of acquiring biomass supply to feed the torrefier. Early discussions with potential domestic and off-shore customers points to the need to have torrefied, densified test samples available for their evaluation, and it is in OTL’s interest on behalf of RF to produce a test batch of torrefied biomass that would be representative of RF’s future fuel product and to make samples available to serve customer interests. The effort is funded by the US Endowment and US Forest Service. To accomplish the test sample production, the OTL provided 32.8 tons of wood chips to the Biomass Conversion Lab (BCL) located in Coleraine, MN for a sustained torrefaction production run using ponderosa pine as feedstock. The targeted specification for the torrefied wood chips as requested by OTL was 9,500 btu/lb. The BCL successfully torrefied and provided over 14 tons of torrefied feed stock to the OTL that met this targeted specification.Item Torrefaction of Ponderosa Pine Pellets(University of Minnesota Duluth, 2019-04) Young, Matthew; Hagen, Timothy S; Mack, PaulOregon Torrefaction, LLC (OTL) and the US Endowment for Forestry and Communities (USFC) have formed Restoration Fuels, LLC (RF) to construct and operate a 12 ton/h kiln torrefier that targets approximately 100,000 tons of torrefied woody biomass production annually. The plant will be colocated at the Malheur Lumber Mill in John Day, Oregon. Biomass sourcing will be principally smalldiameter, low-value wood from surrounding or nearby national forests including the Malheur and the Ochoco National Forests. The bulk of the woody biomass will be ponderosa pine from the dry land forests that surround John Day. Biomass coming from national forest areas have been evaluated for compliance with the US National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and are termed “shelf ready” for treatment. Restoration Fuels is now in the process of acquiring biomass supply to feed the torrefier. Early discussions with potential domestic and off-shore customers points to the need to have torrefied, densified test samples available for their evaluation, and it is in OTL’s interest on behalf of RF to produce a test batch of torrefied biomass that would be representative of RF’s future fuel product and to make samples available to serve customer interests. The effort is funded by the USFC and US Forest Service. To accomplish the test sample production, the OTL provided five tons of wood pellets to the Biomass Conversion Lab (BCL) located in Coleraine, MN for a sustained torrefaction production run using ponderosa pine pellets as feedstock. The targeted heating value specification for the torrefied wood pellets as requested by OTL was 9,500 btu/lb (22.09 MJ/kg). The BCL torrefied and provided over 6,000 lbs (2,727 kg)of torrefied pellets to the OTL.Item Use of Improved Densification Conditions for Producing High Fuel Content Products from Biomass Processed by Torrefaction, Hydrothermal Carbonization, and Various Densification Methodologies: Final Report(University of Minnesota Duluth, 2018-03-31) Fosnacht, Donald R; Hagen, Timothy S; Young, Matthew; Carden, Kendall; Kiesel, Richard FThe Natural Resources Research Institute is engaged in work to develop demonstration-level production of solid biofuel densified products that can be stored outside, have high bulk densities for ease of logistical transport, have good handling characteristics that minimize dust generation, possess grindability that is like coal used in power plants, and have fuel contents that match or exceed sub-bituminous coal levels. During the work, two pretreatment technologies have been investigated for concentrating the energy content of raw biomass. These include: torrefaction using an indirectly fired rotary kiln process at the demonstration level and hydrothermal carbonization at the bench and pilot scale. The Institute has also collaborated with Syngas technologies on a pilot-scale moving bed, directly heated steambased process at the pilot scale and next year will install this technology at the demonstration scale. A key factor in showing the full technical feasibility of using the pretreated materials is to demonstrate that the produced particulate fuel products can be densified to a level that allows good logistical and handling practices to be routinely attained. It has been found that hydrothermally carbonized processed materials can be agglomerated using a variety of densification devices including pelleting and briquetting in a repeatable and practical manner using commercial densification equipment with and without the use of binders. However, torrefied materials have proven to be much more difficult to densify using a variety of densification equipment, especially as the degree of torrefaction increases. Uniformly torrefied materials at high energy level appear to be especially difficult to densify but have the attributes of high fuel value and good grindability, with very little residual fiber content compared to less-torrefied material or steam-exploded biomass. Therefore, the work undertaken and explained in the following discussion has been conducted and shows that highly torrefied materials can be satisfactorily densified to produce high-energy-content products that have good physical properties, possess acceptable moisture resistance, low ash, sulfur and mercury content, and have bulk densities that can lead to improved logistics. The densification practices involve optimizing overall process conditions on an integrated systems basis and include moisture level, densification pressure, mix preparation pressure, and the use of appropriate binders when required. The densification system that seems to show the greatest promise for the highly torrefied materials is briquetting. Work will continue in examining other densification options and in improving the conditions used and discussed in this report.Item Use of Improved Densification Conditions for Producing High Fuel Content Products from Biomass Processed by Torrefaction, Hydrothermal Carbonization, and Various Densification Methodologies: Final Report(University of Minnesota Duluth, 2018-03-31) Fosnacht, Donald R; Hagen, Timothy S; Young, Matthew; Carden, Kendall; Kiesel, Richard FThe Natural Resources Research Institute is engaged in work to develop demonstration-level production of solid biofuel densified products that can be stored outside, have high bulk densities for ease of logistical transport, have good handling characteristics that minimize dust generation, possess grindability that is like coal used in power plants, and have fuel contents that match or exceed sub-bituminous coal levels. During the work, two pretreatment technologies have been investigated for concentrating the energy content of raw biomass. These include: torrefaction using an indirectly fired rotary kiln process at the demonstration level and hydrothermal carbonization at the bench and pilot scale. The Institute has also collaborated with Syngas technologies on a pilot-scale moving bed, directly heated steam-based process at the pilot scale and next year will install this technology at the demonstration scale. A key factor in showing the full technical feasibility of using the pretreated materials is to demonstrate that the produced particulate fuel products can be densified to a level that allows good logistical and handling practices to be routinely attained. It has been found that hydrothermally carbonized processed materials can be agglomerated using a variety of densification devices including pelleting and briquetting in a repeatable and practical manner using commercial densification equipment with and without the use of binders. However, torrefied materials have proven to be much more difficult to densify using a variety of densification equipment, especially as the degree of torrefaction increases. Uniformly torrefied materials at high energy level appear to be especially difficult to densify but have the attributes of high fuel value and good grindability, with very little residual fiber content compared to less-torrefied material or steam-exploded biomass. Therefore, the work undertaken and explained in the following discussion has been conducted and shows that highly torrefied materials can be satisfactorily densified to produce high-energy-content products that have good physical properties, possess acceptable moisture resistance, low ash, sulfur and mercury content, and have bulk densities that can lead to improved logistics. The densification practices involve optimizing overall process conditions on an integrated systems basis and include moisture level, densification pressure, mix preparation pressure, and the use of appropriate binders when required. The densification system that seems to show the greatest promise for the highly torrefied materials is briquetting. Work will continue in examining other densification options and in improving the conditions used and discussed in this report.