Anaerobic Digestion - Making Biogas - Making Energy

Anaerobic Digestion (AD) is used around the world to produce low CO2 energy and to make 'clean' fertilisers with large, medium and small-scale plants common-place in Western Europe and USA.

There is over 100 million tonnes of agricultural and food waste produced each year in the UK, most of which is just that, waste. Anaerobic digestion, biogas and the heat and electricity that can be produced from it is still a nascent industry within the UK, yet a typical AD plant will recover its capital cost in the first 5 to 7 years.

The benefits of AD spread throughout the community:

• Farmers and eco-entrepreneurs: Offers good financial returns.
• Community Leaders: Helps meet various policies and legislative targets.
• Food processing industry: Offers an environmentally sensitive waste disposal option and avoids increasing landfill fees.
• Local community: Provides a local heat and power supply, creates employment opportunities and reduces farm odours.
• Environment: Reduces volumes of waste going to landfill and greenhouse gas emissions, as well as providing an organic fertiliser.

Although the process of AD is relatively simple there are several system options available to meet the demands of different feedstocks. This book describes, in simple, easy to read language the 5 common systems of AD; how they work, the impact of scale, the basic requirements, their costs and financial implications, and how to get involved in this promising green industry.