October 22, 2021

DMT Completes Arizona Project and Tres Rios RNG Center Opens

Renewable Natural Gas in Arizona

DMT, a leading technology supplier for biogas conditioning and upgrading, celebrates with Pima County and Southwest Gas the completion of the Tres Ríos Renewable Natural Gas (RNG) Center in Tucson, Arizona. Thursday, 21st of October marked the official celebration and connection of the biogas treatment facility to the Southwest Gas grid. Many stakeholders gathered around for its official ribbon cutting.

About the Tres Ríos Renewable Natural Gas Center

The Tres Ríos Water Reclamation Facility (WRF) serves the metropolitan Tucson area operating 24-hours a day, 365 days a year. Furthermore, the facility is the centralized biosolids treatment location for all of Pima County’s eight WRFs treating approximately 50 million gallons of wastewater daily.

Using DMT’s three-stage membrane separation technology, the Carborex®MS, the Tres Ríos WRF upgrades 700 standard cubic feet per minute (SCFM) of biogas. As a result, the plant produces up to 99.5 percent methane recovery for direct injection into the Southwest Gas grid. In terms of GHG emissions, this RNG project equates to removing 2,500 vehicles from U.S. roadways, for example. Similarly, this project is also equivalent to generating energy for 5,500 homes.

“DMT is proud to bring the Tres Ríos RNG Center in Arizona to market. I am especially thankful to Pima County, our internal team, and all partners involved for its successful completion.”

Theo Zuijdwijk, CEO of DMT

Renewable Natural Gas in Arizona
DMT’s Project Manager, Kyle Plaster, PMP, (left) shakes hands with Bobby DeAngelo, Project Manager of Pima County, (right) during the official ribbon cutting ceremony.

Pima County’s Sustainability Goals

Pima County in particular has a long history of adopting strong sustainability policies and practices. In 2017 when the U.S. rescinded its commitment to the Paris Agreement, Pima County maintained their commitment to the Agreement. In fact, they joined hundreds of local municipalities to reduce emissions through energy and fleet efficiency measures and increased renewable energy use. Adopted in June 2017, Climate Resolution 2017-29 formalizes the County’s pledge to reduce global carbon emissions below 2005 levels by 2025.

“The opening of the Tres Ríos RNG Center is a monumental milestone for Pima County. Pima County now stands in a better position to reach its carbon reduction emission goals by 2025. Working with experienced, committed partners like DMT was essential to the success of this project. ”

Bobby DeAngelo, Project Manager of Pima County

Author: Missy Lee