Logan, Utah-Utah State University researchers are leading an effort to remove algae, and eventually phosphorus and nitrogen, from Logan’s waste lagoons, which could have implications for thousands of similar systems all over the country. USU’s Energy Dynamics Laboratory recently received $500,000 in state environmental funding to build a pilot facility to harvest algae and by digestion convert the material into biofuels, including methane. Logan Environmental Director Issa Hamud told Green Markets that both phosphorous and nitrogen are in the algae when it’s removed from the ponds, and during the initial phase liquids containing the nutrients will be returned to the lagoons. However, he explained, after the methane is recovered the cellulose material that remains can be used as compost or soil amendment and the fertilizer can be separated from the liquids. Doug Lemon, interim director of EDL, said the pilot facility will serve as a model for wastewater treatment plants across the country and around the world to comply with environmental standards, and will provide a renewable energy supplement and replacement for currently used fossil fuels. Hamud said the city was spending at least $250,000 every year to aerate the lagoons to prevent algae growth, and was facing the prospect of building a $180 million treatment facility as a permanent solution. Logan Mayor Randy Watts said the city is eager to get going on the project because its wastewater treatment lagoon system is one of the largest in the country. “We’re proud to lead the way to find efficient and cost-effective processes to remove phosphorus from facilities throughout the nation,” said Watts. “In addition to providing alternative energy, we’ll clean up the algal blooms in the water flow that create damaging effects on downstream bodies of water used for wildlife habitat, as well as fishing, boating, swimming and other recreational activities.”
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