Reduce digestate volumes with HRS | HRS Heat Exchangers

Reduce digestate volumes with HRS

June 5, 2018 | Categories: Environmental - Opinion Piece - Trade Show News | by

At UK AD & World Biogas Expo 2018 stand D603, HRS Heat Exchangers will showcase its novel Digestate Concentration System (DCS), which increases the dry solid content of digestate three-or four-fold, typically to between 10-20 per cent.

By reducing the liquid fraction and therefore the overall volume of digestate produced, the DCS minimises the economic and logistical challenges associated with digestate storage, transportation and application. Up to 60 per cent less storage capacity is needed and fewer tanker loads are required, helping to curb an AD plant’s transportation costs and carbon footprint. And with an average 1.5 MW AD plant generating 40,000 tonnes of liquid digestate each year, that can mean significant carbon and financial savings.

By reusing heat from existing sources, such as the CHP engine, the DCS is virtually energy self-sufficient. Water removed by the process is recovered and can be mixed with AD feedstock at the front-end of the plant, increasing the efficiency of the digester. The DCS also overcomes odour issues and increases the nutrient content of digestate via acid-dosing with sulphuric acid – while the volume of digestate is reduced, the nutrient content actually increases.

The HRS DCS is a plug-and-play, fully automated system which is completely flexible and can be tailored to meet the requirements of individual AD plants. The technology is installed at a number of facilities worldwide and is helping operators to reduce their storage, transport and application costs, as well as their water usage, while using spare heat which would otherwise be wasted.

International Sales & Marketing Director Matt Hale explains why increasing numbers of AD operators are specifying the Digestate Concentration System for their sites: “At a time when the efficiency of AD plants and bio-waste management is under scrutiny around the world, being able to maximise the financial and nutrient value of your digestate, while at the same time reducing storage, transport and application costs, is an exciting proposition. The HRS DCS represents the most efficient method of achieving these goals.”

Learn more about how the HRS Digestate Concentration System (DCS) can solve your digestate challenges and improve your overall plant efficiency on Stand D603 at the UK AD & World Biogas Expo, NEC Birmingham, in July.