 |
| (Garb-el technicians test system after installation) |
On February 14, 2012, Garb-el Products Company announced its
participation in an innovative renewable energy pilot project launched by
Spectrum BioEnergy and in partnership with the Albany County Sewer District
with financial support from the New York State Research and Development Authority.
In an effort to divert organic waste
from landfills, the project aimed to utilize Garb-el’s Organic Waste Grinder
(OWG) to preprocess the feedstock and create a completely closed loop and
energy-efficient system for transforming organic waste material into energy.
The project members
“...joined hands after seeing the gap in anaerobic digestion solutions
among wastewater treatment plants and food processing entities in the state,”
according to Richard J. Lyons, executive director for the Albany County Sewer
District.The sludge from Albany County South Wastewater Treatment Plant and food waste from the neighboring City of Watervliet and Bimbo Bakeries USA are ground into a fine slurry with the Garb-el OWG before being fed into the anaerobic digester.
“Spectrum searched for a high quality, economical grinder, and were pleased to discover Garb-el’s OWG,” said Spectrum President, Ramu Ravipati. “Since installing the Garb-el grinder, we’ve been very pleased and have realized increased feeding efficiency of our waste streams.”
The Garb-el OWG machines grind and process various organic feedstocks by either dumping or conveying the waste into the stainless steel chute and feed hopper. The waste is then auger fed into the hammermill where it is pulverized and reduced in size to pass through the steel filter screen. Garb-el’s equipment is utilized in industries including anaerobic digestion, composting, biofuels, wastewater treatment of biosolids and sludge, vermi-composting, commercial waste and agriculture. Customers incorporate this equipment in projects ranging in processing size from 2 tons per day to more than 150 tons per day.
“Continued investment in clean and renewable energy technologies plays a pivotal role in a balanced approach to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and preventing climate change,” said James M. Carbone Jr., President of Garb-el. “Spectrum BioEnergy should be lauded for their innovative approach to the anaerobic digestion model, and we’re proud to partner with them on this exciting project.”
