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  • May
    29

    EES Seminar- Anaerobic Biotechnology: How Much Acetate can a Methanogen Eat in a Day and Why is it Important?- Dan Zitomer

    McCormick - Civil and Environmental Engineering (CEE)

    2:00 PM A230, Technological Institute

    EVENT DETAILS

    Abstract: Anaerobic biotechnology is used to treat municipal wastewater sludge and many industrial wastewaters. In the process, microbes degrade pollutants and convert them to biogas containing methane. The methane gas can be used for heat and energy generation. Therefore, the process includes both wastewater management and renewable energy generation. Often, the Anaerobic Digestion Model #1 (ADM1) is employed to help design and understand anaerobic treatment systems. Fundamental model inputs include maximum Monod substrate utilization rate constants (km). Unfortunately, the kinetic constant values can actually vary greatly, based, in part, on the exact microbial community present in the engineered process (i.e., the identity of microbes and the numbers of each). Unfortunately, there are no standard, simple methods to measure the kinetic values since determining the concentration of active microbes in a given trophic group. is difficult. Having a method to determine active trophic group microbial concentrations as well as kinetic constant values would help us understand the process and design/model anaerobic bioprocesses. In this talk, a novel respirometer method to determine Monod kinetic constant and active biomass concentrations will be presented. Using the technique, the maximum specific acetate utilization rates for biomass from more than 20 full-scale anaerobic bioprocesses was found to vary greatly. Surprisingly, some biomass samples exhibited extremely high acetate utilization rates (>40 g COD/g CODx-d), whereas flocculant municipal biomass rates were similar to the ADM1 default value of 8 g COD/g CODx-d. Rate data were compared to genomic data and results supported the hypothesis that acetate oxidation (i.e., the conversion of acetate to H2 and CO2) is more prevalent in well-functioning digesters than assumed. Granular biomass was especially rich in acetate oxidizing potential, and this may also be supported by significant interspecies electron transfer in granules. The important link between microbial community composition and bioprocess function will be highlighted. Just as the human gut microbiome varies from person to person and can influence health, anaerobic digester microbiomes can vary and influence process function.

    Biosketch: Daniel Zitomer, Ph.D., P.E., BCEE, Fellow WEF is professor and chair of the department of civil, construction and environmental engineering at Marquette University (Milwaukee, WI). Dr. Zitomer teaches and performs research regarding wastewater management, renewable energy and anaerobic biotechnology for industrial and municipal wastewater. He also consults with industries and municipalities regarding wastewater management. He is a fellow of the Water Environment Federation (WEF) and received the 2008 WEF Fair Distinguished Engineering Education Medal. He is site director of the National Science Foundation Industry/University Cooperative Research Center on Water Equipment and Policy and is a member of the NSF Great Lakes Water Innovation Engine technical committee. Dr. Zitomer received his BS in civil engineering from Drexel University (Philadelphia, PA) and his MS and Ph.D. degrees in environmental and water resources engineering from Vanderbilt University (Nashville, TN).

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    TIME Friday, May 29, 2026 at 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM

    LOCATION A230, Technological Institute    map it

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    CONTACT Andrew Liguori    andrew.liguori@northwestern.edu EMAIL

    CALENDAR McCormick - Civil and Environmental Engineering (CEE)

  • Jun
    11

    Undergraduate Cocktail Reception

    McCormick - Civil and Environmental Engineering (CEE)

    6:30 PM 1026 Davis St Upstairs

    EVENT DETAILS

    TIME Thursday, June 11, 2026 at 6:30 PM - 9:30 PM

    LOCATION 1026 Davis St Upstairs   

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    CONTACT Andrew Liguori    andrew.liguori@northwestern.edu EMAIL

    CALENDAR McCormick - Civil and Environmental Engineering (CEE)

  • Jun
    12

    CEE Graduation and Recognition Ceremony

    McCormick - Civil and Environmental Engineering (CEE)

    2:00 PM 1702 Chicago Ave

    EVENT DETAILS

    TIME Friday, June 12, 2026 at 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM

    LOCATION 1702 Chicago Ave   

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    CONTACT Andrew Liguori    andrew.liguori@northwestern.edu EMAIL

    CALENDAR McCormick - Civil and Environmental Engineering (CEE)

  • Jun
    14

    Spring 2026 Commencement

    University Academic Calendar

    All Day

    EVENT DETAILS

    TIME Sunday, June 14, 2026

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    CONTACT Office of the Registrar    nu-registrar@northwestern.edu EMAIL

    CALENDAR University Academic Calendar

  • Jun
    19

    Juneteenth - University Closed

    University Academic Calendar

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    EVENT DETAILS

    TIME Friday, June 19, 2026

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    CONTACT Office of the Registrar    nu-registrar@northwestern.edu EMAIL

    CALENDAR University Academic Calendar

  • Jul
    3

    Independence Day (observed) - University Closed

    University Academic Calendar

    All Day

    EVENT DETAILS

    TIME Friday, July 3, 2026

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    CONTACT Office of the Registrar    nu-registrar@northwestern.edu EMAIL

    CALENDAR University Academic Calendar

  • Sep
    16

    CEE Faculty Retreat

    McCormick - Civil and Environmental Engineering (CEE)

    10:00 AM 1702 Chicago Ave

    EVENT DETAILS

    TIME Wednesday, September 16, 2026 at 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM

    LOCATION 1702 Chicago Ave   

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    CONTACT Andrew Liguori    andrew.liguori@northwestern.edu EMAIL

    CALENDAR McCormick - Civil and Environmental Engineering (CEE)

  • Sep
    16

    CEE Department BBQ

    McCormick - Civil and Environmental Engineering (CEE)

    4:00 PM

    EVENT DETAILS

    TIME Wednesday, September 16, 2026 at 4:00 PM - 7:00 PM

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    CONTACT Andrew Liguori    andrew.liguori@northwestern.edu EMAIL

    CALENDAR McCormick - Civil and Environmental Engineering (CEE)

  • Sep
    23

    Fall 2026 Classes Begin

    University Academic Calendar

    All Day

    EVENT DETAILS

    TIME Wednesday, September 23, 2026

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    CONTACT Office of the Registrar    nu-registrar@northwestern.edu EMAIL

    CALENDAR University Academic Calendar

  • Oct
    3

    CEE Fall Career Fair

    McCormick - Civil and Environmental Engineering (CEE)

    9:00 AM

    EVENT DETAILS

    TIME Saturday, October 3, 2026 at 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM

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    CONTACT Andrew Liguori    andrew.liguori@northwestern.edu EMAIL

    CALENDAR McCormick - Civil and Environmental Engineering (CEE)