Anaerobic Digestion: Sustainability through Organic Waste Management presented by Dana M. Kirk, Ph.D., P.E.

Abstract:

Anaerobic digestion is a tool for addressing sustainability goals through organic waste management. Organic waste is generated from a number of sources ranging from livestock farms, residential food waste, municipal wastewater sludge, and industrial food processing. Traditionally anaerobic digestion was a means to cost effective and energy efficient sludge stabilization. Today the technology is viewed as an opportunity to reduce carbon emissions and generate renewable energy (electric and gas) and fertilizer from an array of organic waste streams. This discussion will provide an overview of the current trends related to anaerobic digestion implementation.

Speaker:

Dana is associate professor in Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering at Michigan State University and a licensed professional engineer in the State of Michigan. He is the Undergraduate Program Director in Biosystems Engineering and the faculty supervisor of the MSU South Campus Anaerobic Digester. Prior to joining MSU, he worked as a consulting engineer with production agriculture to address environmental challenges. His involvement with food waste and anaerobic digestion include conducting BMP’s on over 1,500 substrates, numerous feasibility studies on community food waste collection, and technical support on anaerobic digester design and operation.