Dry Anaerobic Digestion Systems

The main problem in the global food value chain lies in the enormous amounts of organic waste generated at every stage. Disposal of this waste means throwing away potential resources. Doing so adds an enormous burden of greenhouse gases and environmental pollution, Anaerobic digestion technology as a method of bioremediation fits perfectly here. My company offers robust and efficient systems to convert food industry waste streams into valuable byproducts.

Fig 1. Dry Anaerobic Digestion of Food Industry by-Products (William G., 2022)

The company offers dry anaerobic digestion as an integrated solution for biological treatment of solid organic wastes, particularly from the food industry. By this means, we are able to recover challenging waste streams such as production residues, expired food products, and catering waste around the world. The two principal outputs from this bioconversion are renewable energy captive as biogas and a solid digestate that contains substantial nutrients useful as fertilizer or soil conditioner. We provide full lifecycle services, from consultation to operational support.

Technical Principles

Microbial Dry Anaerobic Digestion (AD) is a biological process with microorganisms, like bacteria, breaking down biodegradable organic materials in an environment with no oxygen (O2) present. The high total solids (TS) content is within the range of 15%-40%. Unlike 'wet' AD systems that operate with lower solids concentrations, Dry AD is tailored to feedstocks with limited, free water. Through complex metabolism, archaea, mesophilic and thermophilic bacteria convert complex organic compounds (i.e., carbohydrates, proteins, fats) into simpler molecules, then biogas (a mix of methane, CH4, and carbon dioxide CO2) is produced alongside a solid residue known as digestate.

Technical Features

Benefits related to food waste processing using Dry AD Systems are:

• High Solids Tolerance: Effectively manages chunky, solidified food waste that requires minimal pre-treatment dilution to be usable.
• Reduced Reactor Volume: Compared to wet systems, these Dry AD systems need less reactor space, which saves space and resources.
• Lower Water Consumption: Less process water addition and reduced water overall creates less waste in the form of leachate.
• Minimized Parasitic Load: Wet systems use a large volume of water which leads to an increased need for energy for heating and mixing wet reactor contents. This system requires less energy in that regard.
• Concentrated Digestate: Produces a more concentrated digestate which has a higher nutrient content and is easier to manage, transport, and serve as a biofertilizer.
• Feedstock Flexibility: Various solid organic wastes from the food production, processing, and retail industries can be co-digested.

Technical Classification

AD Dry technologies can be classified broadly based on their operational mode and reactor configuration. These include:

• Batch Systems: These systems are found in garage and tunnel reactors. Feedstock is added in batches and is digested over a set time after which it is removed. Best suited for heterogeneous waste streams.
• Continuous Systems: Utilize vertical plug-flow or horizontal agitated reactors that have nozzles for continuous feeding of the feedstock and the removal of digestate, leading to constant biogas production.
• We customize the type of system to our clients based on the characteristics and volume of feedstock in combination with operational preferences.

Application Areas

Environmental Benefits

• Waste Diversion: Reduction in the volume of biodegradable waste that goes to landfill sites.
• Greenhouse Gas Reduction: Captures methane (CH4), a potent greenhouse gas that would otherwise be emitted during landfill decomposition, and uses it to produce energy.
• Renewable Energy Production: Biogas formed can produce heatand electricity through Combined Heat and Power (CHP) units, and be upgraded to biomethane for vehicle fuel or injection into the grid.

Our Services

Recognizing that no two clients are the same, our company offers a diverse set of services that span the entire project's lifecycle in order to ensure efficient implementation and Dry AD facilities operation:

• Feasibility Studies & Waste Audits: Assessment of feedstock availability and composition, site selection, and economic analysis for dry AD waste streams.
• Custom System Design & Engineering: Adapting the Dry AD technology (batch/continuous and reactor type) to specific client needs and waste streams.
• Equipment Procurement & Supply: Acquisition of reputable and dependable parts for the digestion plant.
• Biogas Utilization Strategy: Advising on the most technically and economically viable options for generating biogas (e.g., CHP, upgrading, grid injection).
• Digestate Management Solutions: Supporting clients in the analysis and compliance for digestate quality and identifying commercially beneficial reuse pathways like in the fertilizer or soil amendment markets.

Company Service Advantages

• Industry Knowledge: Understanding deeply the Dry AD technology and its use in the food waste industry.
• Integrated System Design: There's no generic template we provide; we design systems based on the waste stream and the company's operational requirements and objectives.
• Complete Project Lifecycle Management: Providing continuous assistance from the initial idea to the operational phase and beyond.
• Commitment to Performance: Focusing on system reliability, efficiency, and resource recovery while ensuring a robust return on investment.

Contact Us

The food industry waste products can be handled through dry anaerobic digestion, which is a technologically sophisticated waste management strategy, environmentally safe, and cost-effective. Our company offers benign and in-depth dry AD systems that aid in waste mitigation and transform them into renewable energy and biofertilizers; thus, removing liabilities. Helping businesses in the food industry enhance sustainability and champion the circular economy is our goal. Partner with us now to find out how Dry AD could help your operations.

How to Place an Order

Our products and services are for research use only and cannot be used for any clinical purposes.