WASTE TO ENERGY
BETTER BIOGAS ANALYSIS KEY TO UNLOCKING ROI While factors such as policy change
A
n expert in in environmental engineering and gas instrumentation believes that a more stringent approach to the biogas analysis process has the potential to deliver a step-change in ROI for anaerobic digestion (AD) plants. More than a year since the Anaerobic Digestion and Bioresources Association (ADBA) launched its landmark Biomethane: The Pathway to 2030, which outlined the critical role biomethane can play in decarbonising the UK and achieving a net zero economy, investment in new AD sites remains low.
and Covid-19 have undoubtedly influenced new AD installations, QED Environmental believes improvements to the biogas analysis process could boost biogas production. Mike White at QED Environmental, comments: “While the UK anaerobic digestion industry has not had the rub of the green in terms of policy in recent years, addressing some misconceptions around the subtleties of the production process can go a long way in repositioning it as a viable contributor to the UK’s decarbonising efforts. “For example, a
like-for-like volume of feedstock will not deliver a like-for-like gas composition, as this is ultimately determined by a myriad of
interchangeable factors. Gas analysis technology is key to understanding the gas composition, and using it more effectively can make a big difference to the quality of the gas that is produced.” The ADBA believes a more
conducive policy environment would enable AD technology produce enough biomethane to heat 6.4 million homes by 2030. It claims this would deliver a 6% reduction in total UK greenhouse gases emissions. White says: “There should be little
argument about how AD contributes towards a net zero economy. However, viable operation comes down to ROI and improving the quality of measurement systems will allow operators to make adjustments to deliver the highest quality of gas at the desired output.” l
For more information visit
www.qedenv.com
NEW BIOGAS PLANT BUILT IN FINLAND eltec Biopower has
W
commissioned a biogas plant near Turku in southwestern
Finland. This region is characterised by livestock farms and therefore the 250kW plant runs entirely on liquid manure. The energy plant belongs to a group of three pig farmers. In this project, the German plant builder cooperates with its long- standing Finnish partner, Doranova. The orientation of environmental
policy in the Scandinavian state is increasingly based on sustainable nutrient recycling. Agriculture in particular plays a strategically important role in regions with intensive animal husbandry. While in other parts of the world manure and slurry are seen as waste, the Fins rely on the advantages of the so-called black gold. Fertilisation with this organic substance improves the structure of the soil and increases the carbon storage in the ground. Moreover, an upstream
biogas process delivers climate-neutral energy and ensures even better plant availability of the fertiliser. Both the farm
structure and the location of the Finnish pig farmers present an ideal setting for the new anaerobic digestion project. Currently, three fattening houses are being built in addition to the existing piglet production sites. In this way, some 40,000 tonnes of pig manure are available as input material for the stainless-steel digester, which has a capacity of 4,903m³. The heat generated by the 250-kW CHP unit is used to preheat the liquid manure, which is first buffered in an upstream slurry pit. To minimise the loss of heat in the harsh Finnish winter, Weltec equipped the
digester cladding with an extra-thick insulation layer. This will result in a more efficient digestion process. The fully automated plant operation
culminates in the separation of the digestate. By compressing the nutrients, the transportability is increased and this helps to balance any regional nutrient surpluses and reduce the entry of these nutrients in the Baltic Sea. l
For more information visit
www.weltec-biopower.com
www.engineerlive.com 45
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