Koncept malé bioplynové stanice, která snižuje investice i provozní náklady.

PopisRakouská společnost vyvinula inovativní bioplynovou stanici, která kombinuje koncept vysoce efektivní fermentace v různých etapách s absencí pohyblivých částí v spalovací komoře.
Společně s hřídelovým vkládací systém (bez pohyblivých částí) tento nových koncept umožňuje snížení investice, energetických úniků a provozních nákladů obzvláště pro malé bioplynové stanice.
Společnost hledá výrobce bioplynových stanice pro výrobu a prodej těchto nových stanic.

Description:
For small biogas plants specific investment costs are higher than those of big plants. On the contrary turnover/earnings rise significantly with increasing size of the plant. The longer payback periods of small biogas plants reduce attractiveness for farmers - the main target group of such plants. Reduction of investment costs is therefore essential, especially for small biogas plants.

The Upper Austrian company has developed a new concept for small biogas plants which will allow reduced costs together with increased efficiency in fermentation. This is realized by combining fermentation in different layers with the absence of moving mechanical parts (stirrer) in the plant reactor. Additionally the insertion system is also designed without moving parts. Equipment with moving parts usually is more complex (higher investment and operating costs) and is susceptible to failure (higher maintenance costs). The system is applicable for all kinds of substrate, even for manure and silage.

A first plant according to this new concept is sold and will be brought on line before summer 2012.

Description of the process:
This technology is a further development of the UASB method (up flow anaerobic sludge blanket). However, the new system no longer requires any stirrers. There are different layers in the plant reactor. In the upper area there are organic materials and the floating layer. The digestion of organic substances is done from top to bottom, the deeper in the reactor, the more they are digested. In the lower part of the fermenter there is a liquid, fully fermented layer with little solid content (non-biodegradable dry matters). To allow the process to work, the floating layer must be covered with liquid from the ground-level layers. Using a specific pumping system, fermenter content is extracted from the lower area of the fermenter and distributed via a central diffuser over the floating layer. In rare cases it could be necessary to homogenize the content of the fermenter; this is achieved hydraulically via the pump. The biogas plant operates in the robust, mesophilic area (10-37°C).

High performance of degradation:
Compared to conventional biogas plants, the new plants offer different residence times for persistent and easily degradable materials. This allows efficient gasification of biomass. Persistent, hard to degrade material gathers in the floating layer and remains in the fermenter for a longer period. Easily degradable material is transported downwards in dissolved form or as a suspension with fine particles due to the sprinkling in the fermenter. It leaves the reactor already after some days.

Insertion system without moving mechanical parts:
Mechanical insertion systems (such as screw conveyors) are replaced by simple shaft insertion. By using a specific shaft the substrate is applied (via tractor or wheel loader) directly to the fermenter. This shaft extends 100 cm beyond the fermenter level and thus seals the opening off against the gas room of the fermenter.

Innovations and advantages of the offer:
Combination of fermentation in different layers with the absence of moving mechanical parts (stirrer) in the plant reactor:

- Due to layer fermentation it is neither necessary to stir the fermenter nor to finely chop and homogenize the substrates. This leads to considerable savings in investment and maintenance (as agitators are often susceptible to failure).
- Low energy consumption and long residence time make these plants especially efficient and robust.
- The simple shaft insertion system requires no maintenance or any auxiliary energy; investment costs amount only to a fraction of those of conventional systems.
- Total savings in operating costs will be up to 50%; in investment costs about 10%.
- Compared to conventional biogas plants, the new plants offer different residence times for persistent and easily degradable substrate materials. This efficient gasification of biomass allows better yields.

Current and Potential Domain of Application:
Main target groups: farmers, who would like to convert manure and silage into biogas; waste management companies.

List of Keywords:
Technology
Process Plant Engineering
Renewable Sources of Energy
Gaseous biomass
Agriculture Machinery / Technology
Biotreatment / Compost / Bioconversion
Market
Alternative Energy
Water treatment equipment and waste disposal systems
Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing, Animal Husbandry and Related Products

Current Stage of Development:
Already on the market

Collaboration Type:
Joint Venture Agreement
License Agreement
Financial Resources
Joint further development

Comments:
- Type of partner sought: Industry, SME

- Specific area of activity of the partner:
manufacturer of:
- biogas plants
- plants for applications in agriculture
- plants from renewable energy sector, which intend to enter biogas plant market
investors in renewable energy systems

- Task to be performed by the partner sought:
The partner sought is supposed to build and market the new plants. The Upper Austrian company offers its know-how, the plant concept, technical details and detailed planning to the partner. A reference plant will be available for inspection and for marketing activities as of summer 2012.

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