Bioenergy ProductionPushing the limits
ADTechOptima is a team of researchers at Lancaster University working on delivering technology for high-performance anaerobic digestion processes.
The ChallengeWhat are the current issues within the market today?
Our SolutionBenefits for biogas plant operators, consultants and technology suppliers
Limited Energy Production
Anaerobic digesters are typically operated at low organic loading rates, within the range of 1-3 kg volatile solids /m³/day. The choice of loading rate has a direct impact on energy production. Lower loading rates result in limited energy production, while higher loading rates can lead to increased methane production. But, elevating the organic loading rate can introduce stability issues, ultimately causing catastrophic system acidification.
Reviving Acidified Digesters
The process of restarting a failed anaerobic digester and restoring it to its full design productivity is a substantial undertaking, incurring significant costs in terms of time, waste material disposal, and lost production. This recovery process, from initial start-up to achieving full productivity, can extend for a considerable period, exceeding three months. To put this into perspective, a 3 month production loss from a typical 1000 m³ methanogenic digester can result in a shortfall of over £90,000 from energy sales.
Low Energy Feedstock Sanitisation
Feedstocks used in anaerobic digesters are typically contaminated with a range of pathogens. Generally employed treatments, such as pasteurization, serve the purpose; however, this implies that a significant fraction of the energy generated in the form of biogas is diverted for feedstock/digestate treatment. Overall, this results in less energy available for sale.
Increased Loading Rate
A bespoke product which allows operation of anaerobic digesters at an organic loading rate (OLR) of up to 21 kg volatile solids/m³/day, at a hydraulic retention time (HRT) of as little as 7.5 days and sustained volatile solids reduction of >75%.
Reduce Down Time
A bespoke product to revive acidified digesters showing completely inhibited gas production. This can be achieved in less than 3 weeks.
Improved Sanitisation
An ultra-low energy sanitisation process technology functioning at the same temperature as an associated mesophilic methanogenic digester and achieving up to 8 log10 kill of marker pathogens.
10x
Revenue Potential
10x
Methane Production
75%
VS Reduction
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