VIDEO! The Role Anaerobic Digester Blowers Play in Creating Energy From Animal Waste

Watch this video now for an understanding of the role Anaerobic Digester blowers play in creating energy from animal waste. 

The Overall System: Anaerobic Digestion and Digesters

Anaerobic digestion is the process by which bacteria break down organic matter — such as animal manure, wastewater biosolids and food wastes — in the absence of oxygen. (https://www.epa.gov/agstar/how-does-anaerobic-digestion-work)

An anaerobic digester (or AD) is a system, typically on a farm, in which the controlled breakdown of organic matter without air produces a combustible biogas with nutrient-rich organic by-products, Installing a digester is a great way to use animal and food waste to power a farm and manage costs. The biogases also helps to reduce fossil fuel use — and decreases greenhouse gas emissions. This creates a cost-efficient way to make energy, and to decrease the carbon footprint to help the environment.

An AD can work for just one farm, or also can function in the form of a centralized anaerobic digestion management facility used by several farmers. There are a few different types of ADs from which to choose, so it's important to select the right one for the operation. Basic types of ADs include lagoon, plug flow, complete mix and others.

How Anaerobic Digesters Work

Let's consider a dairy farm. Throughout the day, the dairy cows will produce manure that will be transported to the AD through slots in the bottom of the barn — or by a piping system. Next, the manure will be placed into the AD and held at a temperature ranging from 59° -140° Fahrenheit to allow the anaerobic digesters to produce the biogas, solids and liquids.

The Role of Anaerobic Digester Blowers

At this point, regenerative blowers from ROTRON play a major role in the process. After the biogas is collected in storage tanks, a ROTRON regenerative blower extracts methane and other biogases for use as heat or power. ROTRON regenerative blowers are specifically made to handle biogases, including standard and chemical-resistant models, so there's no need to worry about chemical degradation of the blower.

Other Benefits of Anaerobic Digesters

The solids created in this process can be used as bedding for farm animals, for compost — or fertilizer. A farmer could also choose to sell some of the byproducts to other farms if desried.

Anaerobic digesters have many benefits to help manage costs, and to allow farmers to become more self-sufficient. Becoming a steward of the environment by reducing a farm's overall carbon footprint and waste management is priceless, something for which future generations of farmers will look back and be thankful.

If you'd like to learn more about how ROTRON Regenerative Blowers can help move methane, hydrogen sulfide and other biogases, please fill out the form below.