Expansion of Fats, Oils, Grease (FOG) Facility at Hyperion Treatment Plant, Los Angeles – Alternatives Evaluation

Abstract

Hyperion Treatment Plant, with an average design flow capacity of 1,700 mld (450 mgd), is the largest of four treatment plants owned and operated by the City of Los Angeles. Recently, the plant implemented a 76,000 l/d (20,000 gal/d) pilot facility to investigate the benefits of adding FOG to its anaerobic digesters. The results were promising showing significant improvements in digester gas production. Therefore, a study was conducted to research FOG and food waste market and evaluate digesters capacity to receive such high strength wastes. The study concluded that FOG volumes as high as 380,000 l/d (100,000 gal/d) would be available to the plant. The City of Los Angeles, however, decided to initially expand the facility by 190,000 l/d (50,000 gal/d). This paper describes the alternatives considered for expanding the facility. Pros and cons of each alternative along with corresponding costs are presented. Finally, recommendations for expansion of the facility are provided.