University of Minnesota scientists produce biodiesel from scum
Researchers at the University of Minnesota have developed a system for converting scum into biofuels using available waste heat from water treatment facilities. The project — which was funded by grants from the Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources, Metropolitan Council Environmental Service, MnDRIVE and CFANS Center for Biorefining — found that up to 68% of scum collected could be made into biodiesel. This equates to some 140,000 gallons of the fuel, or $500,000 to $600,000 in annual profits.

In Minnesota, for University of Minnesota (UMN) researchers, scum is a word packed with profitable promise. Their patented process not only converts the scum to a higher value product (biodiesel) but also reduces environmental pollutants in both landfills and water systems. As a result, 68 percent of dried and filtered scum can be converted to biodiesel, equivalent to approximately 140,000 gallons of biodiesel and $500,000-600,000 in profit per year. Additionally, the process utilizes available waste heat from water treatment facility.

This research was funded in part by grants from the Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources (LCCMR), Metropolitan Council Environmental Service, MnDRIVE and CFANS Center for Biorefining.