Life-Cycle Modeling and Environmental Impact Assessment of Commercial Scale Biogas Production (2012)

Project Status: 
Past Project
Link to Final Report: 
Life-Cycle Modeling and Environmental Impact Assessment of Commercial Scale Biogas Production
Year project was Completed: 
2012
Client Organization: 
Swedish Biogas International LLC
Client Website: 
Swedish Biogas International LLC
Secondary Client Organization: 
The University of Michigan Chemical Engineering Department – Transportation Energy Center (TEC)
Secondary Client Website: 
The University of Michigan Chemical Engineering Department – Transportation Energy Center (TEC)
SNRE Faculty Advisor: 
Shelie Miller
Master Students Involved in Project: 
  • Nicole Labutong, MS, Enviornmental Informatics/ Sustainable Systems
  • John Willard, MS, Sustainable Systems
  • Janet Mosley, MS, Sustainable Systems
  • Ryan Smith, MS/MSE, Sustainable Systems
Project Location : 
Ann Arbor, MI and Flint, MI
Summary of Project Idea: 

The goal of this project is to quantify the benefits and impacts of the Swedish Biogas International LLC facility in Flint, MI by applying dynamic life cycle modeling techniques. The project focuses on air emissions, material flows into and out of the facility, energy efficiency, and evaluating beneficial biosolid disposal opportunities.



Professional Career Development Benefits: 

This project will give team members valuable experience in the following:

  • Life Cycle Assessment
  • Technical Analysis of Biomass-to-energy systems
  • Collaboration with real-world industry clients
  • Project Management
  • Working in Multidisciplinary teams: Engineering, Business, Science
  • Hands-on exposure to biogas facility operations
Identify expected products/deliverables: 

Primary Deliverable:
Environmental Assessment Report for Generating Value-added Chemicals from the Commercial-Scale Production of Biogas, delivered to Swedish Biogas International LLC, by June 2012

Other Interim Deliverables:
Detailed Project Scope and Plan: Delivered to Swedish Biogas 2 Weeks after project Kickoff (January 2010).

Literature Review on State-of-the-art of generating Value-Added Products from biogas production: Delivered to Swedish Biogas by June 2011.

Interim Progress Report: Delivered to Swedish Biogas by September 2011.

Michigan Value-added Chemicals Market Analysis, using input from Chemical Engineering Students: Delivered to Swedish Biogas by end of Year 1 (December 2011).