ICM/PBS personnel provided design, fabrication, technical development, start-up and training services for the implementation of the anaerobic Bio-Methanation system at the Parallel Products Fuel Ethanol Plant in Bartow, FL. The turnkey Bio-Methanator plant is a skid–mounted unit designed and built by ICM-Phoenix for Parallel Products of Florida, Inc.

     The plant consists of a single upflow expanded-bed, 30,000-gal bio-reactor, capable of removing up to 4,000 pounds per day of COD (Chemical Oxygen Demand). The bio-reactor is located out-of-doors, while all control and sampling units are skid-mounted and located out doors as well.  The two level skid provides rain protection for all instrumentation.

     The entire anaerobic system was pre-fabricated at the ICM shop in Colwich and shipped to the site in Bartow for installation and start-up, which required less than two weeks. The main bio-reactor is pre-molded FRP including all internals.

     The entire unit was installed and started up in December 2001. Start-up was completed in ten days and the plant was turned over to operating personnel shortly thereafter. The plant has operated successfully since start-up averaging over 90% COD reduction of evaporator condensate and consistently producing effluent waters suitable for discharge to the City of Bartow.

     Daily operating costs are extremely low, requiring only one to two hours per day of operator and lab time along with small amounts of nutrient chemicals and less than 17 operating horsepower.