Champaign moments in biogas operations

The Urbana & Champaign Sanitary District (UCSD) sets exceptionally high standards in wastewater treatment, and when it comes to their equipment, a one-year guarantee just won’t cut it. At this Illinois facility, the team expected a 20-year lifespan when upgrading the pumps for three of its anaerobic digesters. Now, nearly eight years later, Justin Profancik, UCSD’s Director of Operations, calls the Landia pumps “dependable, reliable, and durable.”

Located about 140 miles south of Chicago, UCSD’s digesters were built over time at the Northeast Treatment Plant (NEP), which opened in 1924. As part of an ongoing upgrade process, the facility turned to new pumps in 2016 to replace older units that were clogging regularly—about every quarter. These previous pumps, while effective, were not the Landia Chopper Pumps, which were designed to handle solids, rags, and grit without causing blockages.

“The old pumps had served us well, but we had to clean them out frequently,” said Profancik. “They weren’t Chopper Pumps, so the solids would accumulate and cause clogs. Maintenance was more labor-intensive.”

A key improvement with the Landia pumps has been the ease of maintenance. "The design is simple, and the external knife system allows us to change blades easily,” Profancik added. “The maintenance team really appreciates that.”

UCSD is a public entity that provides wastewater treatment services to Urbana, Champaign, Bondville, Savoy, and the University of Illinois, supporting a population of 56,000 students. Despite being independent from local government bodies, the district operates efficiently with a staff of 50, including 10 on the operations team.

The Northeast Treatment Plant houses several solids management systems, including gravity belt thickeners and anaerobic digesters. The facility processes a variety of waste, including grease-hauling truck sludge and food waste. It also operates a system that dewaters biosolids for land application and uses digester gas to fuel combined heat and power (CHP) engines, which provide electricity and heat to the plant and contribute to the local power grid.

Improved efficiency with Landia Pumps

The Landia Chopper Pumps have contributed to both operational efficiency and energy production. "We call them our recirculation pumps," Profancik said. "They help circulate heat through the digesters, and by chopping the sludge, they prevent clogs in the heat exchangers. We used to clean the heat exchangers monthly, but now it's only necessary about once every quarter, and often, we don’t even find much to clean out." This demonstrates how high-quality pumps protect downstream equipment.

The result? Gas production has surged, reaching a record high of 400,000 cubic feet per day, with a typical daily output averaging around 190,000 cubic feet. Even small inputs, like food waste from a Hershey’s truck wash, have a noticeable impact. Although the waste makes up less than 1% of the feedstock, it directly boosts gas production.

Thorough research and international collaboration

As a district that values cost-efficiency, UCSD thoroughly researched its pump options before making a decision. This process included a visit to Landia’s facility in Lem, Denmark, facilitated through the Water Technology Alliance (WTA), which fosters collaboration between North American and Danish water sectors. Former UCSD Director of Operations, Wade Lagle, who brings over 40 years of wastewater treatment experience, shared his thoughts on the visit:

“Seeing how and where the pumps were made gave us great confidence. The quality control and cleanliness were top-notch, and we could see that the Landia Chopper Pump was well-suited for our digesters—low-maintenance, highly effective, and long-lasting. Total cost of ownership is always a priority for us.”

Profancik echoed these sentiments, adding that the installation was straightforward, and the pumps have performed seamlessly. "We’ve had very few issues, but when we do need assistance, Landia is always there to offer support and guidance. The pumps have been a great success for us.”

The UCSD’s experience with Landia Chopper Pumps highlights how investing in high-quality equipment can significantly improve operational efficiency, reduce maintenance, and protect downstream assets while contributing to sustainable energy production.