|
| |
|
|
|
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How much does an anaerobic digestion facility cost?
The cost of an AD facility depends on many factors, and would be calculated before any work was started. A key decision point is not only how much the facility costs; it's how much revenue the facility generates. Biogas Energy technology's combination of higher energy production and waste management revenue means a superior ROI and greater lifetime revenue stream over other options. We invite you to fill in our information request form or contact us for more information. We would be happy to show what we can do for you.
2. How do Biogas Energy digesters compare with other anaerobic digestion technologies?
Biogas Energy uses technology that has been perfected in hundreds of digester facilities over the past decade. Biogas Energy digesters are 30-100% more efficient in producing energy than other types of digesters. That fact, coupled with the ability to take a variety of waste input means Biogas Energy facilities generate far superior revenue over time. Please see our Advantages of Biogas Energy anaerobic digestion technology page for more information.
3. Have you built any digesters in North America?
Our first facility was completed in 2008 in Modesto, California. The digesters produce biogas from 2,000 cows, whey from a cheese factory, and energy crops grown on the farm.
Prior to joining Biogas Energy's team, our lead project manager built nine digesters in the US as well as dozens more in Europe. Please contact us for a list of references.
4. What is your cow to kW ratio? In other words, how efficiently do your digesters produce energy?
Unfortunately this ratio, which is often used by digester developers, has little meaning in the real world since our digesters are able to accept a variety of substrates and therefore create far more methane than manure-only digesters . By adding high energy inputs like grease or fats, there is no comparison to our competitors who are only able to accept manure or a limited amount of lower-energy inputs.
That said, our digesters typically generate 1kW per 3.8-4 cows while digesting manure alone.
Add to that the crucial factor of maintaining uptime for the CHP unit and preventing gas flaring through the built-in gas storage in the roof, and Biogas Energy Systems are the clear winner. Whereas other digester vendors have enduring generation maintenance problems, Biogas Energy digesters have superior uptime.
Over the lifetime of the facility, this discrepancy can mean literally millions of dollars in electricity revenue and avoided equipment maintenance and replacement costs.
5. What materials can "feed" your digesters?
Biogas Energy digesters operate with a base material of manure from cattle or pigs. In addition, the digesters thrive with other inputs, like kitchen waste, brewery waste, industrial food processing waste, energy crops like corn, fish and poultry remnants, ethanol production waste, and more. This is a significant advantage over other types of digesters that can only process manure, and adds an enormous amount of power generation capacity to the facility.
6. Besides biogas, what comes out of the digesters?
The liquid that results from the anaerobic digestion process has solids which are separated out, composted, and sold to local gardeners, landscapers and farmers. Some farmers use the solids as bedding for their cows and sell it as bedding to neighbors. The liquids are returned to the farmer as nutrient rich natural fertilizer, which replaces imported nutrients and thereby cuts costs.
7. Does a biogas facility smell?
Actually, anaerobic digesters alleviate odor problems, especially as suburban growth surrounds farms and introduces neighbors who complain about manure smells. By installing an anaerobic digester, the farmer solves odor issues to everyone's satisfaction. Since the digesters are airtight, the smell stays within, and the liquids and solids coming out of the digester have only a very slight odor compared to raw slurry.
8. What's the smallest facility you build?
Due to economies of scale, we have a minimum digester size of 100 tons per day, which is typically about 1,000 cows.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
