1st Edition

Anaerobic Digestion - Making Biogas - Making Energy The Earthscan Expert Guide

By Tim Pullen Copyright 2015
    200 Pages
    by Routledge

    200 Pages 5 B/W Illustrations
    by Routledge

    Hundreds of million tonnes of agricultural and food waste are produced each year around the world, 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 in many countries, yet the benefits of AD spread throughout the community:





    • Gives good financial returns to farmers and eco-entrepreneurs.


    • Helps community leaders meet various policies and legislative targets.


    • Offers an environmentally sensitive waste disposal option.


    • Provides a local heat and power supply, & creates employment opportunities


    • Reduces greenhouse gas emissions, as well as providing an organic fertilizer.


    Although the process of AD itself 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 five common systems of AD; how they work, the impact of scale, the basic requirements, the costs and financial implications, and how to get involved in this rapidly growing green industry.

    1. Introduction to Anaerobic Digestion and Biogas  2. A History of Anaerobic Digestion and Biogas  3. Digestor Feedstock/Substrate  4.  Anaerobic Digestion Plant Types and Processes  5. Inputs and Outputs  6. Plant Scale  7. Anaerobic Digestion Plant Economics  8. Legislation, Permits and Regulations  9. Anaerobic Digestion and Local Communities  10. The Market for Digestate  11. Case Studies  12. Anaerobic Digestion around the World  Glossary.  Metric to Imperial Conversion Table.  Sources of Further Information

    Biography

    Tim Pullen is a consultant at WeatherWorks Ltd, a company he established himself in 2004. WeatherWorks provides advice and guidance on sustainable building and renewable energy solutions to self-builders, developers and housing associations. In 1975, Tim built his own AD plant at his then home in Kent, using slurry from a neighbouring pig farm, igniting a passion that continues to this day.  Tim is also an eco-expert for Homebuilding & Renovating magazine and has published books on sustainable building.

    "This book is one of the few that provides a practical perspective on the recovery of energy through anaerobic digestion using food waste, farmyard manure and energy crops as a feedstock. It covers facilities that handle just a tonne a day through to much larger 50,000 tonnes per year operations. It provides authoritative information on the whole digestion process from input to output, placing this within the relevant legislative framework. It offers an extremely useful section devoted to developing markets for the digestate end-product and it is an essential guidebook for all those contemplating the application of anaerobic digestion for energy recovery." - Dr Nigel Horan, School of Civil Engineering, University of Leeds, and Chairman Aqua Enviro Ltd