Saturday, June 30, 2018

AD Plant/ Biogas Efficiency Improvements to feature this month at global biogas expo in UK

Increasing Anaerobic Digestion plant efficiency will be a subject featured at the forthcoming ADBA global biogas expo Birmingham UK.

Biogas Efficiency Improvements


Exhibitors will not be short on cost-effective methods, on offer capable of improving biogas yields, as the following ADBA Press Release makes clear:

Water industry anaerobic digestion (AD) plants can improve efficiency from 10% to 30%, according to key exhibitors at the eagerly awaited UK AD & World Biogas Expo 2018 taking place on July 11th-12th at Birmingham’s NEC.

Charlotte Morton, Chief Executive of the Anaerobic Digestion & Bioresources Association, who are organising the expo in partnership with the World Biogas Association, said: “Based on what we’ve seen with farm-based and food-waste AD plants, even when a digester appears to be steadily ticking along, some fine-tuning or retrofit of the mixing system can produce much better gas yields.

“In addition to more gas, technologically advanced mixing systems that will be on display at the expo can drastically reduce maintenance and energy costs.

“Improved monitoring can also bring about a positive difference to a digester – and with the possibility of mixing sewage sludge with food waste in the future, UK AD & World Biogas Expo 2018 is the perfect place to learn more about enhancing digester performance”.

Paul Davies from mixer and pump manufacturer Landia agreed:

“Based on the increasing number of retrofits we carry out in the AD sector, there is clearly a demand to reach optimum levels of AD operation – especially as a mixer retrofit doesn’t have to mean draining down the tank."
“Numerous farm and food waste AD operators are already seeing the benefit of fine-tuning their equipment, so there is a real opportunity for the water industry to review its renewables/biosolids operation – which can pay back in a short time-frame. We are ever-presents at the expo, which is totally focused on biogas. It is the best place to catch up on all the latest industry news, seek out advice and talk directly to equipment suppliers”.

Davies also states that while many mixing systems may have 7.5 kW motors, in most cases these are running flat out, using 180 kW hours per day.


For what he describes as ‘complete mixing of the whole digester’, Davies suggests AD operators consider 18.5 kW motors that only have to run for 10-15 minutes per hour, using just 110 kW hours per day.

Featuring more than 200 exhibitors from all over the world and 100-plus speakers, over 3,000 attendees are expected at UK AD & World Biogas Expo 2018, now in its ninth year.

What Others are Saying About Biogas Efficiency Improvements:

Evaluation of energy efficiency of various biogas production and utilisation pathways

The energy efficiency of different biogas systems, including single and co-digestion of multiple feedstock, different biogas utilization pathways, and waste-stream management strategies was evaluated. The input data were derived from assessment of existing biogas systems, present knowledge on anaerobic digestion process management and technologies for biogas system operating conditions in Germany. The energy balance was evaluated as Primary Energy Input to Output (PEIO) ratio, to assess the process energy efficiency, hence, the potential sustainability. Results indicate that the PEIO correspond to 10.5–64.0% and 34.1–55.0% for single feedstock digestion and feedstock co-digestion, respectively. Energy balance was assessed to be negative for feedstock transportation distances in excess of 22 km and 425 km for cattle manure and for Municipal Solid Waste, respectively, which defines the operational limits for respective feedstock transportation. Energy input was highly influenced by the characteristics of feedstock used. For example, agricultural waste, in most part, did not require pre-treatment. Energy crop feedstock required the respect cultivation energy inputs, and processing of industrial waste streams included energy-demanding pre-treatment processes to meet stipulated hygiene standards. Energy balance depended on biogas yield, the utilization efficiency, and energy value of intended fossil fuel substitution.
via Evaluation of biogases

HP efficiency for biogas

Combined heat and power plant efficiency is a function of the conversion efficiency of the energy in the fuel gas to useful energy in the form of electricity and heat.
A combined heat and power (CHP) plant is typically a reciprocating gas engine that uses the energy in the gas to drive a crank shaft. The crank shaft turns an alternator to produce electricity. Heat is released during the gas combustion process. This heat can be recovered during cogeneration in order to maximise the heating value of the system. via  Clarke Energy

Anaerobic digestion


Anaerobic digestion is the man-made process of harnessing the anaerobic fermentation of wastes and other biodegradable materials. Anaerobic microbes can be harnessed to treat problematic wastes, produce a fertiliser that can be used to replace high carbon emission chemical fertilisers. It also is the process that results in the production of biogas, which can be used to provide renewable power using biogas cogeneration systems. via  CHP 

Sunday, June 03, 2018

Sadiq Khan Endorses Separate Food Waste Collections and ADBA Welcomes new London Strategy

Separate Food Waste Collections for London.  Separate Food Waste Collections are being endorsed by Sadiq Khan the Mayor of London, and ADBA welcomes this new London Environment Strategy.
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Responding to the publication of the London Environment Strategy today, ADBA Chief Executive Charlotte Morton said:

“As anyone who lives in London knows, the city faces a major challenge in tackling the huge amount of food waste produced by millions of homes and businesses every day. 
“We are therefore pleased to see Sadiq Khan endorsing separate food waste collections across the capital to allow anaerobic digestion to recycle London’s inedible food waste into renewable heat and power, clean transport fuel, and nutrient-rich biofertiliser.
“What is now needed for this to happen is a commitment from government to roll out separate food waste collections across the whole of England to emulate the example set by Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. We’ll be looking for such a commitment in the forthcoming Resources & Waste Strategy, particularly given that the UK is set to adopt the European Union’s new legislation obliging separate biowaste collections by December 2023.”
Anaerobic Digestion & Bioresources Association: www.adbioresources.org

ADBA is the trade association for the anaerobic digestion (AD) industry in the UK and companies and organisations working on novel technologies and processes that compliment the anaerobic digestion process and products. With their members they promote the economic and environmental benefits of AD in the UK.

They represent organisations from many sectors including: AD operators, AD developers, AD equipment providers, water companies, farmers, food & drink retailers, waste companies, universities and more.