What is an anaerobic digestion plant? How valves play their role in Biogas production
In this blog, BM Engineering will let you know just what is an anaerobic digestion plant and also answer the important question of how valves play their role in biogas production. Here at BM Engineering, we have a huge selection of valves, so understanding how they operate in biogas production is essential.
First, let’s discover just what an anaerobic digestion plant is.
What is an anaerobic digestion plant?
Anaerobic digestion is key to creating renewable fuels by taking something as simple as food waste and turning it into biogas that can then be used as a renewable fuel. Just some of the many uses of fuel consist of powering vehicles, being used in heat and power generation, specifically being fed into the national gas grid, and providing electricity to fuel and power homes and businesses across the country.
An anaerobic digestion biogas plant is where this conversion will take place. Biogas production is essential for creating versatile, highly renewable energy that helps minimise everyone’s carbon footprint.
Anaerobic digestion biogas plant process
The process is fairly simple; instead of allowing oxygen to break down food waste, it is bacteria. As the bacteria consume large amounts of waste food, they will excrete biogas that will rise to the top of the digester. The gas is mostly methane and is completely natural. The solid remains of the food waste will remain on the floor of the chamber and can then be extracted and used as a nutrient packed organic fertiliser.
How valves play their role in Biogas production
Valves play a crucial role in biogas production. They direct the flow of the biogas, allowing for the operation to be carried out efficiently and, more importantly, safely. The valves used in biogas production vary depending on the job that is required of them. Some of the factors that determine the valve used are the size of the biogas plant, the temperature of the biogas, and how much pressure will be enacted.
At BM Engineering, we stock a huge range of valves. With actuated valves that can be assembled for next day dispatch, along with knife gate valves and many more amazing valves built for your business.
Where are valves used in a biogas plant
Biogas plants use valves in many different locations, including in the digester, where valves are used to control the flow of biogas in and out of the most important area of the biogas process. In the separator, the valves will regulate the flow of slurry and biogas in and out of the separator. The scrubber cleans the biogas and ensures any and all impurities are removed.
The valves work by allowing amounts of biogas to flow through the scrubber. Just some of the other places are in the metre, compressor, and generator. In the compressor, the valves work to regulate the amount of biogas flowing into the pressurised environment. Without valves, the production of biogas would be impossible, making them a crucial component.
Contact BM Engineering
Now that you know how an anaerobic digestion biogas plant operates and how valves play a role, be sure to get in touch and speak with one of BM Engineering’s knowledgeable team members to learn about our huge range of valves and accessories, or request our free catalogue and take your time finding the perfect valve for your business.
Contact us today by filling out our contact form, or alternatively, call our customer service team at 0141 762 0657 or email us at [email protected].
