[USCC] Disposal of glycerin from biodiesel manufacturing

[Chaney, Rufus]

Dear Composters:

 

I had an inquiry from a regional office of US-EPA regarding safe
disposal of glycerin from biodiesel manufacturing. Apparently the glut
of glycerin has led to some disposal to the sewer which upset POTWs
(high BOD input), and even a stream disposal case with fish kill.
Apparently the large increase in biodiesel manufacturing has overwhelmed
the market for glycerin so much that these alternatives have occurred. 

 

A few months ago we had an inquiry to the USCC Compost Listserve about
composting this material, and although several commented about other
more beneficial routes for consumption of the glycerin, it is still a
problem in need of solutions. Has any composter started accepting waste
glycerin (WG) as a commercial service? Biogas production would seem to
be a more cost effective method of handling WG, but hauling can beat
other cost considerations, and inexpensive disposal is the interest of
the manufacturer even if they would seek a biogas production alternative
over time. Even direct land application has been attempted but with the
high BOD you can imagine the induced N deficiency that caused. It could
be managed but both biogas and composting seem to me to be preferable to
direct land application.

 

If you have tested or are commercially accepting WG for composting or
other environmentally acceptable disposal, please let me know and I'll
forward your information to EPA. Share your results to help prevent
additional environmental problems from irresponsible WG disposal.

 

Thanks,

 

Rufus 

 

Rufus L. Chaney, Ph.D.

USDA-Agricultural Research Service

Environmental Management & By-Product Utilization Lab

Bldg. 007, Room 013, BARC-West

Beltsville, MD  20705-2350

Phone: 301-504-8324

Fax: 301-504-5048