Overview

A press mud storage facility required a solution to improve long-term stability and reduce organic matter loss during storage. To address this, The Catalysts Group conducted a preservation trial of EnzyProtect PM. The trial evaluated EnzyProtect PM at 100 ppm and 200 ppm against an untreated control heap over an extended storage period. Samples collected from different depths and locations were analyzed for changes in Volatile Solids (VS), VS/TS ratio, and Total Bacterial Count (TBC). Results showed that EnzyProtect PM significantly improved press mud preservation, with lower VS degradation and reduced bacterial counts compared with the control heap.

Plant Profile

Parameter Details
Application Press Mud Preservation
Feedstock Press Mud
Product Evaluated EnzyProtect PM
Control Heap Heap-1 – Untreated
Treatment 1 Heap-2 – EnzyProtect PM at 100 ppm
Treatment 2 Heap-3 – EnzyProtect PM at 200 ppm
Initial Heap Weight ~9.0 tons
Evaluation Period 152 days

The Challenge

  • Long-term storage of press mud can result in degradation of valuable organic matter
  • Loss of Volatile Solids (VS) during storage can reduce the feedstock’s potential value for downstream biogas/CBG production
  • Microbial activity within stored press mud can contribute to organic matter degradation over time
  • The control heap showed a significant reduction in the VS/TS ratio during the preservation period
  • The plant required an effective preservation solution to minimize organic matter loss and maintain press mud quality during extended storage

The Catalysts Solution

The Catalysts Group implemented EnzyProtect PM as a press mud preservation solution to improve the long-term stability of stored press mud and minimize degradation of organic matter. Three heaps with similar initial VS/TS ratios were evaluated:

  • Heap-1: Control – untreated
  • Heap-2: EnzyProtect PM at 100 ppm
  • Heap-3: EnzyProtect PM at 200 ppm

Performance Highlights

  • The initial analysis showed that all three heaps started with a similar average VS/TS ratio of approximately 0.72, providing a comparable baseline for evaluating preservation performance
  • After 152 days, samples were collected from different depths and positions of each heap and analyzed for Loss on Drying (LOD), Total Solids (TS), Volatile Solids (VS), VS/TS ratio, and Total Bacterial Count (TBC)
  • The results demonstrated improved preservation in both EnzyProtect PM-treated heaps, with the 200 ppm dosage showing the highest stability

Before vs After Performance

Sample VS/TS Ratio (Control) VS/TS Ratio After 152 Days Benefit
Heap 1 - (Untreated) 0.718 0.540 0.178
Heap 2 – EnzyProtect PM @ 100 ppm 0.719 0.620 0.099
Heap 3 – EnzyProtect PM @ 200 ppm 0.720 0.650 0.070

Key Outcomes

  • Effective Long-Term Preservation: EnzyProtect PM effectively preserved press mud during extended storage, minimizing organic matter loss
  • Reduced VS Degradation: VS degradation decreased from 14.06% in the control to 1.54% at 100 ppm, reaching just 0.74% at 200 ppm
  • Maintained Organic Matter Quality: Treated heaps maintained a higher VS/TS ratio than the control after 152 days
  • Improved Microbial Control: Average TBC was reduced by approximately 72% at 100 ppm and 90% at 200 ppm versus the control
  • Best Performance at 200 ppm: The 200 ppm dosage delivered the strongest overall preservation performance, helping maintain press mud quality during extended storage

Conclusion

  • Improved Press Mud Stability: After 152 days, the VS/TS ratio declined from 0.72 to 0.54 in the control, while treated heaps maintained higher ratios of 0.65 at 100 ppm and 0.62 at 200 ppm
  • Reduced Organic Matter Degradation & Microbial Growth: VS degradation decreased from 14.06% in the control to 1.54% at 100 ppm and 0.74% at 200 ppm, with TBC also reduced by approximately 72% and 90%, respectively
  • Strongest Performance at 200 ppm: EnzyProtect PM effectively preserved organic matter and maintained press mud stability during long-term storage, with 200 ppm delivering the best overall preservation performance