BIOFerm – Continuously Stirred Tank Reactor (CSTR) Digester

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BIOFerm – Continuously Stirred Tank Reactor (CSTR) Digester

About the Company:

BIOFerm has been providing turnkey gas upgrading and anaerobic digestion systems to the North American market since 2007. Their extensive experience allows them to provide sustainable and economical solutions that integrate seamlessly into a variety of agricultural operations. As an engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) partner, BIOFerm handles every aspect of the process from conception through commissioning and is committed to providing successful renewable energy projects to their customers.

About the Solution:

The Continuously Stirred Tank Reactor (CSTR) anaerobic digester is considered a low solids (or “wet”) digester designed to process organic waste materials with a solids content of 6-15% TS.

The CSTR technology is well suited for processing large amounts of:

  • Liquid manure
  • Biosolids
  • Food waste
  • Energy crops
  • Other low solids waste


  • BIOFerm CSTRs are available in different sizes and can be combined to meet specific needs of individual projects; the organic waste processing range is ~ 7,000 tons per year and up, depending on tank size and expansions.

    BIOFerm CSTRs have a reinforced concrete or steel design and are equipped with 3 or more paddle mixers. The drive motors of these mixers are mounted onto the outside wall of the tank so that only the polyamide bearings are located inside the fermenter. Most CSTR tanks are heated through hydronic heating installed onto the interior tank wall. Biological desulfurization can be integrated into the wooden roof structure of the gas storage which provides for a cost-effective removal of a large percentage of the hydrogen sulfide.

    BIOFerm 2537 Daniels Street Madison, WI USA (608) 467-5523 Visit Company Website

    Solution Type

    • Anaerobic Digestion

    Vendor

    • Equipment Vendor

    Product

    • Energy
    • Services

    Problem

    • GHG
    • Odor
    • Pathogens

    To view additional information about this vendor, click below.

    Solution Strengths, Weaknesses and Critical Indicators

    Anaerobic Digestion:

    • Long usable life and can be run reliably
    • Creates energy and generates environmental credits
    • Proper feeding & system monitoring is required to avoid system downtime
    • Proven technology for odor control
    • Proven technology for GHG reduction
    • Proven technology for pathogen reduction
    • Different types of systems produce varying gas production rates
    • Requires proper preparation of the feedstock
    • Requires other technologies for energy utilization
    • Requires other technologies for digestate handling
    • Requires other technologies to prevent nitrogen loss
    • Complex systems may require expertise not available on-farm

    Newtrient Comments/Opinions:

    Anaerobic Digester technology:

    • Is proven technology for odor, GHG and pathogen reduction and energy production
    • Has a long usable life and can be run reliably
    • Require proper preparation of the feedstock
    • Usually requires other technologies for energy utilization
    • Usually requires other technologies for digestate handling
    • Proper feeding & system monitoring is required to avoid system downtime
      The BIOFerm CSTR is a complete mixed anaerobic digester. Utilizing paddle style mixers with externally mounted motors, the CSTR is designed to operate at 6 to 15% total solids. BIOFerm has one CSTR installed on a U.S. dairy farm in Wisconsin, operating since 2013. Worldwide, BIOFerm is a leader in the anaerobic digester industry with over 350 operating anaerobic digesters.

    Newtrient will continue to work with BIOFerm on continued updates to the technology and the dairy manure application as they develop more projects.

    Newtrient 9-Point Scoring Rating

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