Photographs by Miluska Propersi, RMC
By Tom Fang, PE and Alec Mackie
Where can LA County get more green energy for the future? One source is an extensive power generation project at the Joint Water Pollution Control Plant (JWPCP) in Carson. When completed, the state-of-the-art facility will turn wastewater sent into Los Angeles County Sanitation Districts’ (LACSD) sewer system into as much as 36 megawatts (MW) of clean, green power every day.
When JWPCP flips the switch later this year, the Power Generation Facility, known as the Total Energy Facility, will produce enough electricity to run the entire plant and, at times, sell surplus to the power grid. Turning sewage biogas into electricity is the goal of the Steam Cycle Modifications Project, according to LACSD Engineer Tom Fang who spoke during a March 17th dinner meeting of the Los Angeles Basin Section (LABS) of CWEA.
JWPCP’s Total Energy Facility dates back to the 1980s and is an important source of power for the facility. Steam can be produced at the facility to heat the anaerobic digesters, and methane from the digesters, in turn, is used to fuel the power plant.
What’s unique about the Total Energy Facility is the combined cycle power plant. First, up to three 9.9 MW gas turbines burn digester gas much like a jet engine to directly generate electricity (the Brayton power cycle). The exhaust heat is then tapped to make steam that powers an 8.7 MW steam turbine generator (the Rankine cycle). Known as cogeneration or combined heat and power (CHP), the upgraded facility will have 36 MW capacity and is expected to generate 23 MW on average. That’s enough power for the entire JWPCP and then some.
Tom explained project planning dates back to late 1990s when LACSD expanded JWPCP to full secondary treatment. As part of the expansion, digesters were added requiring more heat and generating more digester gas.
In 2008 the upgrade took on greater urgency when the former steam turbine generator suffered a catastrophic failure. The reduced capacity meant more purchased power, raising the facility’s electric bill by $2-million per year.
Tom took the audience step by step through the project’s phased construction and major elements. The equipment being replaced in the project includes a steam turbine generator (STG), heat recovery steam generators (HRSGs), cooling towers, condenser, steam-to-steam generator, HVAC Chillers, High Pressure Gas Treatment System, and the Plant Control System. The three combustion turbines were previously upsized in 2001 and thus not part of recent upgrades. Startup is planned in late 2011.
Tom pointed out the project has taken years to become reality, but the payoff for the agency and its customers will be huge. Benefits include energy savings, reliable power and steam for the plant, less dependence on the grid, and avoiding utility emissions – thus fulfilling LACSD’s commitment to cost-effective, environmentally friendly operations.
In January, the project team was honored by LABS with the Engineering Achievement Award for 2010. Tom’s presentation is available on the LABS website at www.labsofcwea.com.
Maintenance: Safety, Reliability & Compliance Seminar
Key Learning Objectives:
- Maintenance practices for control panels and PLC systems that will enhance the reliability of your facility
- Appropriate measures to make your facility compliant with current arc-flash regulations and keep your staff safe
- Maintenance approaches to keep the equipment running smoothly and earn new-found respect for your maintenance
staff
Join WEF Past President Jim Clark in welcoming the 2011 CWEA LABS officers with a thoughtful and compelling message to the Water Environment Profession titled “Addressing the Water Challenges Facing Us”.
When: Thursday, April 21 at 6pm
Where: Taix French Restaurant
1911 West Sunset Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90026
RSVP to Wendy Wert (wwert@lacsd.org) with meal preferences by April 14, 2011.
View flyer for more information!
Beyond Nitrification - the Benefits of Higher SRT Operation
Presenter: Michael Stenstrom Ph.D., P.E., BCEE
2011 CWEA Annual Conference
Engineering and Research Committee/American Academy of Environmental Engineers Breakfast
Friday, April 15, 2011
7:00 AM-8:30 AM
View flyer for more information!
Michael Strenstrom is a Distinguished Professor in the Civil and Environmental Engineering
Department at the University of California, Los Angeles. His research and teaching are in
the field of environmental engineering, with an emphasis on biological treatment methods
and applications of mathematical modeling and optimization to environmental engineering
research.
Be sure to sign up for the ERC Breakfast when you register for the annual conference!
Here is the presentation (PDF):
2011 - Power Generation Facility Steam Cycle Modifications - Tom Fang (170)
Story tk…
CWEA Student and Young Professional Committee presents:
“C” is not for Average; “C” is for Communication - One Day Specialty Workshop
Wednesday, March 23:
Northern California: Walnut Creek
Central California: Fresno
Southern California: Irvine
Discounted Member Rate – $50
Earn up to 4.8 CWEA Contact Hours
Workshop Brochure
Register Online
During this workshop, you will learn:
Build strong communication skills that lead to diverse opportunities and higher productivity
Hear key concepts about communication skills and how they can be effective for you in the workplace and your personal life
Gain valuable tips and examples how to apply new communication skills and achieve the next level of success
Learn from lessons of leaders from all backgrounds, experiences, and career paths
In an effort to keep up with technological and economical times, and to ensure attendees throughout California hear all the great topics the speakers have to share, we will be hosting the conference simultaneously in three locations, one in the North, one in Central California and one in the South.
Conference recap provided by Wendy Wert, LABS Vice President, LACSD with contributions from the CWEA Biosolids Committee and conference speakers
On January 18, the California Water Environment Association (CWEA) Biosolids Committee hosted a specialty conference, Biosolids: Putting Regulators and Researchers in Touch with YOU… the Practitioner, at the Los Angeles County Sanitation Districts Joint Administration Office in Whittier. Another session was held on January 19, 2011 at the Shannon Community Center in Dublin. This one-day biosolids specialty conference, which trained 125 water environment professionals, consisted of a series of technical presentations separated by interactive discussions among leading experts and attendees. The morning session consisted of opening remarks presented by the conference Chairs (Dave Bachtel and Todd Jordan), followed by six technical presentations. The innovative networking lunch also served as a venue for a discussion of CWEA’s Biosolids Land Application Management Certification. The afternoon session consisted of five technical presentations, and closing remarks were delivered by the conference Chairs.
A total of nine speakers gave presentations at both venues that covered a wide range of relevant topics, including the following:
* State issues update from the California Association of Sanitation Agencies (CASA),
* National scientific research review from the Water Environment Research Foundation (WERF),
* Innovative look at Biosolids and Greenhouse Gas Accounting,
* Discussion of biosolids constituents,
* Analysis of specific trace organics, an update on dioxin and radiation biosolids research results,
* Overview of microorganisms in biosolids,
* Update on chemical research results from biosolids land application, and
* Discussion of case studies of urban gardening projects that use biosolids products
Review the presentations and findings from the nationally known Biosolids experts.<http://cwea.org/et_biosolids.shtml>
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- Inside the Shoin Building
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- l-r: Gina Cloutier, VVWWA, Alec Mackie, JWCE, Barabara Santos, City of Simi Valley
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- The City of Los Angeles Japanese Gardens
By Barbara Santos
Through the combined efforts of the Laboratory Committee and the LABS and Tri-Counties Sections, an outstanding one-day Specialty Conference on Quality Assurance and Quality Control for Wastewater Laboratories was held at the Donald C. Tillman Water Reclamation Plant on November 18, 2010. With a venue of the famous SUIHO-EN (Shoin, Garden of Water and Fragrance) Building in the Japanese Garden adjacent to the Plant at 6100 Woodley Avenue, Van Nuys, attendees enjoyed a great experience hosted by the Bureau of Sanitation, Department of Public Works, City of Los Angeles.
On November 4th more than 200 CWEA members gathered at the Glendale Auditorium for training classes on collection system issues in Los Angeles County. In addition, 20 exhibitors displayed the latest in sewer system solutions including trucks, machinery, sensors, robots and chemicals.
The SWRCB’s Waste Discharge Requirements from 2006 come with strict reporting requirements so a main focus of the training was reporting compliance. John Hicks, Superintendent of Wastewater Systems for the City of Glendale, took a class of 100+ people through a simulated overflow event in the parking lot and explained the math and science behind making proper overflow estimates as well as meeting the proper SWRCB reporting requirements.
Meanwhile in the management class SWRCB official Jim Fisher explained the Water Board’s online spill reporting system and also covered what officials are looking for during SSMP audits. There are 1,100 active enrollees in the on-line spill reporting system. Half of California’s agencies have completed, certified and implemented a Sewer System Management Plan. Looking closer at the SSO spill data Jim reported 6% of responses had reporting errors, 11% missed all of the reporting requirements and 80% missed some data. A total of 34 reports or 3% correctly submitted all data. Jim reported the current focus for the Water Board is compliance and random audits.
(all presentations from Nov 4th are in LABS Presentation Database)
(Photos by Jim Aanderud, Innerline Engineering)
The Powerpoint presentations from the LABS-SSCSC seminar in Glendale are posted here:
www.labsofcwea.com/databases/presentations/?category=7
On Nov. 18th join LABS for a discussion with Distinguished Speaker Tracy Egoscue, Senior Environmental Council at Paul Hastings, about her unique experience as the former Executive Officer of the State of California Regional Water Quality Control Board Los Angeles Region. She’ll share her vision for sustainable water quality initiatives and discuss the intersection of water quality with water supply and how the two are becoming more and more linked in the complex Southern California environment.
Who:
Tracy J. Egoscue, JD of Counsel in the Environmental Practice of Paul Hastings, Los Angeles
When:
Thursday, November 18th
Location:
Parkers’ Lighthouse
in Shoreline Village
435 Shoreline Village Dr. Long Beach, CA
Dinner:
1. Grilled Miso Glazed Salmon
2. Shrimp Arrabbiata
3. 6 0z. Sirloin
4. Pasta marinara w/grilled veggies
RSVP:
With meal choice by 11/12:
wwert@lacsd.org
email preferred
or call Wendy Wert
(562) 908.4288 ext. 2128
Directions:
710 fwy south
Exit 1C Downtown Long Beach
Merge onto Shoreline Drive
Follow signs to Shoreline Village
Parking: $1, 2-1/2 hours, w/validation.
See flyer for more information
On September 29, 2010 the California Water Environment Association (CWEA) Los Angeles Basin Section (LABS) held a Process and Instrumentation Diagram (P&ID) training seminar at the Los Angeles County Sanitation Districts in Whittier. LABS Director Basil Hewitt initiated the proceedings by introducing an eminent water quality professional in attendance, Tim Haug. Dr. Haug retired Deputy City Engineer and Wastewater Program Manager for the City of Los Angeles, currently holds the office of Trustee-At-Large for the American Academy of Environmental Engineers (AAEE). Dr. Haug has both an M.S. and Ph.D. from Stanford and a B.S. from LMU, where he maintains a position as Professor Emeritus. Tim Haug introduced the distinguished course instructor, Bill Hartnett. Bill is a Principal Engineer with Montgomery Watson Harza, and acting Chief Process Engineer for City of Los Angeles. Bill started the seminar with a bang. He stated that the “P” stands for “piping” rather than “process”. Tim immediately interrupted with a contrary position, and as it turns out both experts are correct, the wastewater industry tends to prefer “process” whereas the petrochemical industry uses the term “piping”. Regardless of the name used, the profession universally agrees that these diagrams are essential to effective practice.
Excellence in Environmental Engineering: Chairman Tim Brick and Dr. Kent Sorenson to Speak at MWD on September 23, 2010
The American Academy of Environmental Engineers (AAEE) has organized a dinner meeting to present two Excellence in Environmental Engineering award-winning projects, to be held at the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California on September 23, 2010. Details and registration information are contained in the attached flyer. This AAEE annual event will showcase two of California’s winning projects from the international competition, including the overall top prize. Dr. Kent Sorenson will discuss CDM’s Technology for InSitu Biodegradation of Perchlorate and Nitrate, the Superior Achievement Award winner and Chairman Tim Brick will speak about MWD’s Inland Feeder Program, the Environmental Sustainability Honor Award winner. Come and learn from industry leaders about these outstanding projects and AAEE’s initiatives.
Click here to view the flyer for more information!
If you have additional questions about the event or wish to register, please contact Sylvia Williams at swilliams@lacsd.org or phone 562-908-4288 ext 1700.
Thank you,
Wendy Wert
Board Certified Environmental Engineer (BCEE)
***Note change of date. Please re-send your RSVP***
Join LABS and Senior Attorney David Beckman for a discussion of triple bottom line solutions that address regional stormwater from an inclusive perspective. Attendees will be challenged to consider rainfall as a potential local resource in Los Angeles’ arid, urban environment. David will highlight a report on which NRDC and the Bren School at UC Santa Barbara collaborated that may contribute local water supply benefits through specific control of runoff with tie-in’s to green infrastructure.
When: Thursday, September 24, 2010
11:30 am – mixer
12:00 pm – lunch
12:30 pm – presentation
Where: World Cafe
2820 Main Street,
Santa Monica, CA
Cost: CWEA Members – $30
Non-Members – $40
See event flyer for more details
LABS has posted a new set of videos on CWEA’s YouTube site. The hour-long six-part series is a recording of its April dinner meeting, which featured Sam Espinoza from the LA Sanitation Districts of LA County speaking about wastewater collection system operation and maintenance.
Comment on this post and let us know what you think. Does your workplace allow access to YouTube? Are the videos useful for information sharing? Want to provide footage of your events or tours of your facility?
By: Wendy Wert, LABS Vice President
On July 22, 2010, the California Water Environment Association (CWEA) Los Angeles Basin Section (LABS) presented an overview of Los Angeles County’s Stormwater Monitoring programs. The featured speaker was Oliver D. Galang, P.E., Section Manager with the Los Angeles County Department of Public Works’ Watershed Management Division. Oliver described the Los Angeles County’s existing National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Stormwater Program and provided an update of efforts to modernize and expand these into a systemwide water quality monitoring system.
Here is the entire presentation in PDF format as requested…
City of LA Venice VDFM LABS (PDF), Sean Zahedi, PE, Project Manager
By Wendy Wert
On May 20, 2010, the California Water Environment Association (CWEA) Los Angeles Basin Section (LABS) presented a regional composting update at the Monterey Hill Steakhouse in Monterey Park. The featured speaker was Jeff Ziegenbein, Deputy Manager of Operations for Inland Empire Regional Composting Facility (IERCF). The IERCA was created in 2002 by a joint powers agreement between the Inland Empire Utilities Agency (IEUA) and the County Sanitation Districts of Los Angeles County (CSDLAC). The agencies have evaluated composting as an economically and environmentally sound method of beneficially reusing biosolids from publically owned treatment works (POTWs).
By Alec Mackie, LABS Corporate Director
The City’s Bureau of Engineering has completed design work on a critically needed second sewer force main to manage peak flows from the Venice Pumping Plant to the Hyperion Wastewater Treatment Plant. The City is ready to start building the $60 million, 2 mile force main but a new court case has stopped the project.
