About Biogas Systems
We worked with BIOFerm™ Energy Systems, a subsidiary of Viessmann Corporation of Allendorf, Germany, where this technology is in full operation at several sites. The majority of the input is provided by campus and local community sources with the remainder supplied from additional area partners.
Students gain hands-on experience working with the biogas systems.
Dry Fermentation
Commercial-scale dry fermentation technology is more capable of using numerous waste streams and eliminates the need for additional liquid or movement of input. A dry fermentation anaerobic biogas system harnesses and enhances the natural decomposition process and creates renewable energy.
According to BIOFerm Energy Systems, dry fermentation works with organic waste that has moisture content less than 75 percent. In general, fermentation is a distinct biological reaction carried out by several different organisms in various environments and creates organic acids, which are utilized to form biogas later in anaerobic biodigestion.
This organic waste is loaded into individual fermentation chambers of the facility and works on a 28-day cycle. While the material is stationary in the chambers, micro-organisms are applied to the load at regular intervals. Each week, one of our four fermentation chambers is emptied and exchanged for new material to be digested. Half the remaining material is used to start the digestion process in the new batch, while the other is composted further to create our premium compost, Titan Gold™.
Anaerobic Biogas System
What is it?
Anaerobic digestion is a four-step biochemical process usually occurring in nature. As a result of this energy-making process, organisms rearrange organic compounds in the material.
To the human eye, it is the physical breakdown of materials and production of biogas. An anaerobic biogas system boosts this process by providing the best environment necessary for efficient production of a top quality byproduct composed primarily of methane and carbon dioxide.
This biogas maintains the lowest possible levels of hydrogen sulfide, a toxic and corrosive substance, through the removal process which ensures high efficiency and safety for the environment.
Dry Fermentation vs. Wet Fermentation
Dry Fermentation
Anaerobic digestion using input material that has moisture content less than 75%.
BIOFerm™ dry fermentation systems require no movement of organic matter or addition of liquid. No pre-treatment of biomass or organic waste is required.
Wet Fermentation
Anaerobic digestion using input material that has moisture content greater than 75% and a system that requires the addition of liquid for the movement of organic material.
Wet fermentation systems require that biomass and organic waste input undergo multiple treatment steps prior to entering the digester system. Steps often include: separation of non-organic material, liquefaction, sand separation and sanitization.
