PlanET Biogas USA – Complete Mix Digester

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PlanET Biogas USA – Complete Mix Digester

Biogas: The Future = Your Profit

About the Company:

Setting the Standard in the Biogas Sector

PlanET (pronounced “plan-e-t”) has been installing AD plants in North America since 2006.

PlanET Biogas USA Inc. is an affiliate of PlanET Biogas Group GmbH, which is based in Vreden, Germany. PlanET Biogas Group GmbH ranks among the leading biogas plant builders in Germany and Europe, and has designed, constructed and services over 400 anaerobic digestion systems worldwide.

The name PlanET stands for “Planning and Application of Energy Technology”. PlanET specializes in the design, construction, and service of advanced biogas plants. PlanET started in 1998, and now has over 200 employees, and 400 operating biogas plants.

 

About the Solution:

Biogas is a combustible fuel which is produced through the anaerobic digestion process. Anaerobic means “in the absence of oxygen”.  In the right set of circumstances, the organic fraction of liquid or solid biomass is converted into valuable fuel. Biogas consists of roughly 40% – 70% methane, with the rest being CO2 and trace amounts of H2O, H2S, H2 and NH3 produced by the microbiological process. The amount of methane in the biogas is largely a function of the organic input menu.

Liquid and solid manure, vegetable waste, grocery store waste, fats, oils, and greases (FOG), slaughterhouse waste, and selective energy crops, like corn, are ideally suited as inputs to a biogas plant.  Biogas, when utilized in a combined heat and power (CHP) unit produces electrical energy for sale and heat energy for use locally. The heat produced by the CHP is used to heat the digestion process to improve biogas yield.  Biogas can also be cleaned up for injection into the local natural gas grid or as a vehicle fuel.

The remaining byproduct of the digestion process is digestate which is a fermented organic material which may be used as high quality fertilizer. Biogas has a key role in supporting a diverse energy portfolio as a flexible, dispatchable fuel source.

PlanET Biogas USA 5937 State Route 11 Homer, NY USA 877-266-0994 Visit Company Website

Solution Type

  • Anaerobic Digestion

Vendor

  • Consultant
  • Equipment Vendor
  • Project Developer

Product

  • Energy
  • Fiber

Problem

  • GHG
  • Odor
  • Pathogens

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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
PlanET has its roots in Europe with North American offices in St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada, and Homer, New York.  PlanET digesters are constructed above-grade using insulated tanks finished with painted corrugated metal cladding and biogas is contained using a flexible membrane.  PlanET has its own in-house research and development group that investigates and tests innovative ideas before they are incorporatred into their design standards.  The company has more than 400 operating projects worldwide with many dairy digester projects in North America (most are located in Canada).

Newtrient will continue to work with PlanET to further refine the cost and performance information as more information comes in with new commercial dairy installations.   

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