Struggling with low biogas yields from your anaerobic digesters? Many plant operators experience this issue, often due to inefficiencies in biomass conversion during the anaerobic digestion process.
Anaerobic Digestion Biomass Conversion can be complex, but it’s crucial for boosting biomethane production and achieving sustainable energy goals.
One key fact—using innovative technologies like SMASH by Alps Ecoscience can increase biomethane output by over 30% without changing your feedstock volume. This blog will explain how SMASH Technology optimises the anaerobic digestion process, enhancing gas production while reducing costs and emissions.
Read on to discover how you can transform your biogas operations with a few strategic upgrades. Don’t miss out!
Key Takeaways for Better Anaerobic Digestion Biomass Conversion
- Increased Biomethane Production: SMASH technology by Alps Ecoscience boosts biomethane output by over 30%, even with the same feedstock volume, significantly enhancing biogas plant efficiency.
- Adaptable and Compact Modules: The module-based design fits seamlessly into existing anaerobic digestion plants without major alterations or high initial costs. This flexibility allows for gradual upgrades based on needs and budgets.
- Reduced Material Needs: With SMASH, biogas plants can cut their feedstock requirements by 10 – 20% and lower liquid digestate production by a similar percentage. This reduces operating costs and improves waste management efficiency.
- Recognition and Awards: SMASH has gained attention at key industry events like the World Biogas Expo 2024. It was highly commended at the ADBA Innovation Awards due to its effective approach to boosting biomethane production while reducing emissions.
- Cost-Efficient Implementation: Plant operators can adopt SMASH technology through a long-term gain-sharing model without upfront capital expenditure. This ensures immediate financial benefits from increased gas production.
Introducing SMASH Technology for Increased Biomethane Production
Alps Ecoscience created SMASH to boost biomethane production. It increases biomass conversion efficiency and adapts easily to existing biogas plant assets.
Developed by Alps Ecoscience
SMASH technology, a result of five years of development by Alps Ecoscience, aims to boost the efficiency of biogas production. It enhances biomass conversion and adapts well with existing biogas plant assets.
This module-based tech is compact and utilises micronisation and catalysis for optimal performance.
Owners can deploy individual modules or integrate them fully into their systems. Available both as a managed service or direct integration, SMASH offers flexibility in implementation.
This design allows easy incorporation without significant disruptions or high initial costs.
Aimed at increasing biomass conversion efficiency
Developed by Alps Ecoscience, SMASH technology targets increasing biomass conversion efficiency. This involves turning more organic waste into useful energy. This method helps biogas plants create over 30% more biomethane with the same feedstock volume.
By improving the digestion of organic matter like food and sewage sludge, SMASH ensures higher yields. This reduces the need for extra feedstock and decreases liquid digestate requirements by up to 20%.
Operators of biomethane-to-grid injection anaerobic digestion plants benefit from needing less propane injection to ensure that their output meets gas-grid calorific requirements and lowers their non-renewable energy consumption.
Flexible solution compatible with existing biogas plant assets
SMASH technology works seamlessly with existing biogas plant assets. Its module-based design makes it easy to integrate without large changes. This flexibility allows operators to increase efficiencies and production using their current setups.
Alps Ecoscience's SMASH improves biomass conversion efficiency, which means better energy yields from varied feedstocks like food waste and biosolids WwTW sludge. As already noted, the technology has been assessed as capable of boosting biomethane production by at least 30%.
Key Features of SMASH
SMASH uses special AD process enhancements developed in-house to boost biogas production that are unique, resulting in:
A patented process utilising micronisation and catalysis
This provides better energy conversion in anaerobic digestion systems. It optimises methane production and reduces overall costs for biogas plants. Enhanced biomass fuels help lower carbon dioxide emissions, making operations greener and more sustainable.
Module-based technology with a small footprint
SMASH technology uses module-based design. It fits neatly into existing anaerobic digestion plants with its small footprint. The containerised approach makes installing it easy. Each module can operate independently, allowing for custom setups based on individual needs.
Options for individual module deployment
The patented process also supports module-based deployment. Each module can be added separately to your anaerobic digestion plant for progressive improvements.
Plant owners can install these modules without replacing existing assets. This flexibility allows for step-by-step upgrades based on current needs and budget constraints.
Available as a managed service or technology integration
SMASH can be used in two ways. First, as a managed service (operational expenditure model), it helps anaerobic digestion plants boost their biomethane production without the need for upfront costs. Alps Ecoscience's team handles everything—installation to ongoing maintenance.
The second option is their technology integration (capital expenditure model). This allows biogas plant owners to buy and install SMASH modules and contract with Alps for biological monitoring and service support. This approach works well with existing assets in the plant, making it flexible and efficient.
Both options aim at transforming waste management while increasing renewable energy output.
Benefits of SMASH
- Biogas plants using SMASH get more biomethane from less material, saving money and resources… plus they cut emissions.
- This increase is achieved using the same amount of feedstock. Operators can expect higher biomass conversion, leading to more efficient energy crops and less reliance on fossil fuels.
- SMASH accelerates biogas conversion, reducing HRT to increase throughput, sites with gas-to-grid connections or spare CHP capacity can increase throughput to double existing gas production.
- Anaerobic digestion plants benefit from reduced solid digestate and lower emissions. The technology also cuts down on liquid digestate requirements resulting in energy consumption decreases, making operations more sustainable.
- These gains enhance the financial bottom line for biogas plants without needing extra capital investment upfront.
- Liquid digestate volume storage, to comply with the EA’s fertiliser spreading rules can be another challenge. The new technology lowers it by 10-20%.
- If the waste source precludes land spreading of digestate under the Animal By-Products Regs. this reduction helps manage wastewater treatment better. The volume reduction may also cut down disposal costs, making the biomethane production process more efficient and cleaner for the environment.
- Additional benefits in reduced solid digestate, viscosity, energy
consumption, and emissions. - Lab testing is provided by Alps Ecoscience biological
engineers, releasing capacity from site operators and ensuring enhanced overall plant performance and financial
health.
Scientific Basis of SMASH
SMASH optimises the way feedstock is prepared for digestion… using mechanical, physical, biological, and chemical methods.
Optimises feedstock preparation and digestion conditions
Feedstock preparation and digestion conditions are vital. The SMASH technology optimises these processes to maximise gas production. It adjusts the physical, biological, and chemical aspects of feedstocks.
This high level of process control is the secret to ensuring consistent efficient anaerobic digestion (AD).
Years of development back this process improvement. Alps Ecoscience has worked with many feedstocks and configurations over five years. As a result, AD plants benefit from higher biomethane yields and better performance without needing major changes.
Combines mechanical, physical, biological, and chemical processes
The SMASH technology optimises feedstock preparation by using a combination of mechanical, physical, biological, and chemical processes. These processes work together to break down organic wastes efficiently.
Micronisation makes the biomass smaller. Physical methods adjust temperature and pressure. Biological agents like acidogenic bacteria help in breaking down waste into simple acids.
Chemical treatments optimise conditions for methanogenesis, producing more methane gas. This unique approach results from five years of development by Alps Ecoscience across various configurations and feedstocks.
This integration boosts energy efficiency while reducing emissions and solid digestate production significantly.
Recent Events and Recognitions
SMASH technology got a lot of attention at World Biogas Expo 2024. It also earned recognition and awards for its innovative solutions in biogas production.
Reflections on World Biogas Expo 2024
Dr. Helen Theaker shared insights about the World Biogas Expo 2024. Attendees showed great interest in SMASH technology, developed by Alps Ecoscience. Mike Platt presented this innovative solution at the World Biogas Association (WBA) Expo 2024.
Recognition of SMASH at the ADBA Awards highlighted its potential in anaerobic digestion and biomass energy conversion. Highly commended at the ADBA Innovation Awards, SMASH demonstrated over a 30% increase in biomethane production while reducing feedstock and emissions.
Recent Events and Recognitions
SMASH technology got a lot of attention at the World Biogas Expo 2024. It also earned recognition and awards for its innovative solutions in biogas production.
Reflections on SMASH as presented at the World Biogas Expo, NEC,
Birmingham, 2024
Dr. Helen Theaker shared insights about the World Biogas Expo 2024.
Attendees showed great interest in SMASH technology, developed by Alps Ecoscience, and Mike Platt also presented this innovative solution.
Recognition of SMASH at the ADBA Awards highlighted its potential
in anaerobic digestion and biomass energy conversion. Highly Commended in the ADBA Innovation Awards, SMASH demonstrated over a 30% increase in biomethane production while reducing feedstock and emissions.
These accolades underscore SMASH's impact on reducing methane emissions and improving power generation in treatment plants.
Concluding – Better Anaerobic Digestion Biomass Conversion
The unique SMASH technology has been assessed as being able to boost biomethane from existing AD plants by over 30%. This patented module-based tech fits any AD plant.
It lowers feedstock needs and cuts liquid digestate by up to 20%.
SMASH helps biogas plants save energy and reduce emissions.
Its benefits include better financial results for all hard-pressed AD plant operators as the price and value of gas trends lower post the declaration of hostilities of Russia against Ukraine.
