TYPES

OF DIGESTERS

Types of Digesters

Covered Lagoon Complete Mix Plug Flow Fixed Media

Typical Digesters in Midwest

Covered Lagoon Level of Technology Digestion Vessel Supplemental Heat Low Complete Mix Plug Flow

Medium/High Medium

Deep Round, squareRectangular lagoon in/above groundin ground No Yes Yes

Typical Digesters, cont.

Covered Lagoon Solids Concentration HRT 1 (days) Optimum Location 0.5-2% 45+ Warm climates Complete Mix 3-8% 15+ All climates Plug Flow 6-11% 15+ All climates

HRT = Hydraulic Retention Time

Covered Lagoon
GAS UTILIZATION LAND APPLICATION

Cover
COLLECTION PRETREATMENT DIGESTER STORAGE

Lagoon typically Source: EPA 2005

-2% solids

Advantages:

Covered Lagoon

Relatively inexpensive to build Adaptable to hydraulic flushing Construction and management is simple Limited to warm weather areas since digestion depends on temperature Manure not completely digested, so odor released when land applied
David Downing, Iowa Department of Natural Resources, 2002

Limitations:

Source:

Plug Flow Digester

GAS UTILIZATION LAND APPLICATION

COLLECTION PRETREATMENT

DIGESTER

STORAGE

Slurry typically 6 - 11% solids Source: EPA 2005

Plug Flow Digester

Advantages:

Medium cost range Simpler design Less labor/management intensive to operate

Limitations:

Most compatible with daily scrape dairy systems Requires pre-mix tank
David Downing, Iowa Department of Natural Resources, 2002

Source:

Complete Mix Digester

GAS UTILIZATION LAND APPLICATION

COLLECTION PRETREATMENT DIGESTER

STORAGE

Slurry typically 3-10% solids Source: EPA 2005

Complete Mix System

Advantages:

Mechanical mixers prevents crust and keeps solids from collecting on the bottom of the digester tank, delaying cleaning Requires more maintenance

Limitations:

Source:

David Downing, Iowa Department of Natural Resources, 2002

Plug Flow Digester

Advantages:

Medium cost range Simpler design Less labor/management intensive to operate

Limitations:

Most compatible with daily scrape dairy systems Requires pre-mix tank
David Downing, Iowa Department of Natural Resources, 2002

Source:

Fixed-film Anaerobic Filter

Upflow digester with porous media Bacteria grows on media and feeds on organics passing by Wastewater passes thru in 4-6 days but slow-growing bacteria remain in digester Low Food:Mass ration makes system stable

Safety Considerations

Methane is extremely explosive when mixed with air at the proportions of 615 percent methane Digester gas is heavier than air and settles to the ground, displacing oxygen If hydrogen sulfide is present, digester gas can be a deadly poison

1 2-Stage Mix 26 Complete Mix

Source: EPA 2005

51 Plug Flow

5 1 13 Mesophilic Fixed Ambient Covered lagoon Temperature Media Covered Lagoons

Agricultural Digesters in US

REFERENCES
1) http://www.epa.gov/outreach/agstar/iondex.htm 2) (www.envcc.com)