PlanET Biogas UK has recently been contracted as technology provider for a 500 kWel AD plant in Shropshire.
Bitterley Biogas AD plant near Ludlow will produce 500 kWel by digesting predominantly cattle manure from the surrounding farms. Eexcavation and concrete works for the digester have been completed; commissioning is planned at the end of September 2016.
The future operator of the facility, Mark Gatehouse, explains the motivation of Bitterley Biogas AD to invest in AD technology: “At full capacity the combined heat and power plant will supply clean and renewable energy for about 1000 households in the area. Beside this aspect, I am really pleased to improve our farm’s fertiliser management by digesting existing agricultural residues and recycling nutrients”.
The AD plant consists of a solid feeding container with advanced maceration technology to pre-treat longer straw fibres. The heated in-situ concrete digester is equipped with a gas-tight membrane air supported roof and adjustable mixers. After separation of solids a pump re-circulates liquids into the digester so that no additional water will be necessary. In future the excess heat of the CHP will be used for drying digestate. The product will be sold or applied as fertiliser on the fields. Through the reduction of volume the spreading of digestate will be consuming less fuel and thus further contribute to CO2 savings.
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