In the United States (US), Gross-Wen Technologies, Inc. (GWT), a leading algae-based wastewater treatment company based in Slater, Iowa (IA) has announced that it has been selected by compatriot wastewater and agricultural waste to renewable natural gas (RNG) provider Burnham RNG, LLC to provide wastewater treatment at the company's proposed Pasco Resource Recovery Center (PRRC) in Washington State (WA).
The PRRC is an innovative industrial wastewater treatment facility that will clean wastewater from seven food processors within the City of Pasco’s jurisdiction.
The project will support the growth of the City’s booming agribusiness sector while turning wastewater into clean energy and providing clean water and nutrients to irrigate and fertilize City-owned farmlands.
Proprietary nutrient removal tech
Founded in 2014 as a spinout of Iowa State University by Dr Martin Gross and Dr Zhiyou Wen, Gross-Wen Technologies (GWT) has developed an innovative and patented Revolving Algae Biofilm (RAB) treatment technology to cost-effectively and sustainably remove nutrients from the process wastewater.
Gross-Wen’s technology is one of the most sustainable and energy-efficient ways to remove nutrients from wastewater. The GWT technology will assist our Project to utilize wastewater as a source of clean energy, clean water, and nutrients while improving environmental outcomes for Pasco, said Chris Tynan, CEO at Burnham RNG.
The PRRC will enable the reuse of an estimated 1.5 billion (US) gallons (≈ 5.8 billion litres) of wastewater per year and is estimated to produce enough renewable natural gas (RNG) to supply over 4 500 Washington state residential customers each year with clean and renewable source of natural gas.
We’re excited to play a part in this exciting project by providing a state-of-the-art, innovative, environmentally sustainable, and energy-efficient wastewater treatment solution, said Dr Martin Gross, Co-Founder and President of Gross-Wen Technologies.
Long-term public-private partnership
The Project represents a 30-year public-private partnership with the City of Pasco for Burnham to build, own and operate the PRRC on behalf of the City.
The RNG will be sold under a long-term contract, allowing the City to reduce net treatment costs and take advantage of tax incentives currently available for RNG projects under the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA).
The Project is being constructed under an engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) contract with Swinerton Builders, Inc.
Pasco’s decision to use GWT’s RAB nitrogen-removal system represents a significant investment in the future prosperity and sustainability of our region. Not only will it give us the capacity to serve the growing needs of food processors through a state-of-the-art facility, but it will also be a boost for the community at large and pay significant dividends through job creation. The ability to remove nitrogen in a carbon-reducing manner helps to reduce the net cost of the necessary wastewater treatment and creates opportunities for future economic development by attracting businesses with carbon-conscious priorities, said Steve Worley, Public Works Director at the City of Pasco.
