Green energy produced from waste animal by-products

Included in the rapid digestion thermophilic processes is the GWE RAPTOR system, which has just won one of the world’s major chemical engineering awards for innovation in renewable energy, the IChemE 2014 Energy Award.

The RAPTOR system, from Global Water Engineering (GWE), combines thermophilic high-rate anaerobic processes with complementary technologies including Dissolved Air Flotation (DAF), screening and aerobic treatments.

This highly efficient combination of processes rapidly transforms food processing sludge waste and waste water from an environmental problem into profitable green energy (methane) to replace fossil fuels. Thermophilic digestion also destroys pathogens quickly, unlike lower temperature mesophilic digestion, so effluent can be used as a soil conditioner or fertiliser.

Thermophilic anaerobic systems have been proven internationally on slaughterhouse wastes, including digestion of wastes such as manure, stomach contents, blood and excess biosludge, which are transformed into biogas (methane), fertiliser and environmentally outstanding waste water effluent.

At one plant in Europe handling 6000 pigs and 2000 sows a week, the technology paid for itself within one year from biogas savings alone.

With 20-50 tons a day of waste submitted to digestion, the GWE plant achieved the equivalent of 6300Nm³ of biogas a day, which was converted to boiler process water and 625kW of electricity (or 300-750kWh per ton of waste). Effluent quality was increased substantially, with a chemical oxygen demand concentration of 200mg/l achieved as specified, at which level the treated waste water was suitable for discharge.

Another plant successfully deploying anaerobic technologies for green energy and high quality waste water treatment is the COHRAL (Covered High Rate Anaerobic Lagoon) being installed by CST Wastewater Solutions, GWE's Australasian branch, at Oakey Beef Exports on Queensland’s Darling Downs, which is owned by NH Foods Australia, (formerly Nippon Meat Packers).

To be commissioned this year, the plant will extract green energy biogas (methane) from its waste water streams to replace millions of dollars’ worth of natural gas currently consumed at the abattoir.

“The COHRAL plant is expected to repay its cost of construction inside five years through gas purchase savings amounting to many millions of dollars - then continue to deliver benefits and profitability virtually in perpetuity.” said Pat Gleeson, General Manager, Oakey Beef Exports.

“The Asia-Pacific one of the many regions in the world that is only just beginning to realise the potential of green energy from waste water,” added Michael Bambridge, Managing Director, CST Wastewater Solutions. “Instead of waste water being an environmental problem and an expense - a huge consumer of energy through mixers and aerators in smelly settling ponds - it becomes an asset. Instead of companies having to figure out some expensive way to dispose of it, waste water becomes a profit item. Biogas from waste water is an outstanding source of base load power. As part of a renewable energy mix – complementing wind and solar generation, for example – electricity generated with biogas is highly reliable and consistent.  As the major component of natural gas, methane is an environmentally attractive alternative to fossil fuels.”

GWE anaerobic technologies have been successfully deployed on diverse organic and agribusiness waste streams produced by industries including food and beverage processing, livestock, crops and primary product processing.

Their success was recognised by GWE’s successful entry in the 2014 IChemE award for the best project or process to demonstrate innovation in renewable energy, alternative energy sources, efficient energy use or the development of energy production methods that reduce energy and water intensity.

“This was a landmark award because it was independent confirmation by a world respected body of the scientific and practical value of the process,” concluded Bambridge. “By judging the process by results achieved in service, it gave the food and beverage industry a true yardstick for comparisons applicable in Australasia and globally.”