10th Sep 2008BIOGAS TODAY AND FUTURE IN FINLAND

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The biogas catalyst IPUS meth-max, a tool to
improve the biological biogas production Christia
n Kerschbaumer, Dr. Walter Somitsch, IPUS

• 10th Sep 2008 BIOGAS TODAY AND FUTURE IN FINLAND

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(Service for Industrial Production and
Environmental Technology)
Innovative solutions for a responsible treatment
of our environment
For your success and our environment
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Business areas

• Biogas Biogas catalyst IPUS meth-max and
  NIRS-NANOBAG analytics
• Service for Industry in process water treatment
  Paint finishing systems at Magna Graz, MAN Steyr
• WWTP Flocculation agent IPUS aqua
• Composting Compost activator and desodorant IPUS
  compo
• Agriculture IPUS agro lift product line for
  manure treatment, stable hygiene and soil
  conditioning
• Pond construction and Pond maintenance Product
  line IPUS hydro

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Factors affecting biological process performance
REACTOR CONFIGURATION (mixing, residence time)
SUBSTRATE COMPOSITION (High content of fats,
nitrogen, sugars)
Anaerobic digestion process
PRETREATMENT (crushing, pulping)
HIGH OLR (organic loading rate)
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Factors affecting biogas microorganisms
ACTIVATION
INHIBITION
Hydrogen sulfide
C, N, P, K, Ca, Mg,
CELL
Trace minerals
Heavy metals
Dissociated volatile fatty acids (acetate,)
undissociated volatile fatty acids (acetate, ..)
Ammonium
Ammonia
7ltpHlt8
7gtpHgt8
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In many cases there is no optimum biomethanation
of the digestable substrate input

• Biological inhibition (high ammonia, fatty acids,
  etc)
• Microorganisms not fully adapted to the process
• Permanent changes in operational conditions
  affect process stability
• Unbalanced nutrient composition (lack of trace
  elements)

THERE IS A NEED FOR INSTRUMENTS TO SUPPORT THE
BIOLOGICAL PERFORMANCE AS THE KEY FACTOR OF THE
WHOLE BIOGAS PROCESS
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IPUS meth-max
the innovative Biogas Catalyst
The partner of your biogas microbes is your
partner for economic success
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What is IPUS meth-max?
IPUS meth-max is a fine powder of a special
processed natural mineral added to the digestate,

• activating the anaerobic biogas microorganism
• stabilizing the process

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Product characteristics

• Specific Doping with trace nutrients (Fe, Co, Ni,
  Mo, .)
• Slow-release of nutrients
• Optimum bioavailability of trace nutrients for
  biofilm bacteria
• Bacteria-friendly particle surface for
  colonization
• Natural product, environmental friendly
• Digested residue applicable for organic farming
  agriculture

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Raw Minerals

• Product bases are natural nanoporous
  alumosilicates
• The Quality of the raw minerals depend on Purity,
  Heavy Metal contamination, Active Surface,
  Mineral composition (no quartz), Porosity (inner
  surface up to 500 m2/g).
• In cooperation with University of Leoben IPUS has
  checked the relevant Deposits and approved for
  application.

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IPUS meth-max Mode of action I

• Stimulates the formation of biologically active
  sludge flocs and the generation of microbial
  colonies
• Protection of the microorganisms
• Adsorption of toxic substances (Antibiotics,
  Mycotoxins)
• Control of volatile fatty acids
• Control of ammonia
• Temporary storage of hydrogen
• Stabilization of pH
• Slow release of NH4, in the digested residue.
  Meliorization of the fertilizer quality

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IPUS meth-max Mode of action II
Bioflocs
meth-max-particle
Supply of nutrients
Protection
NH3
NH4
H2S
Acetic acid
Acetate
Propionic acid
Propionate
Butyric acid
Butyrate
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IPUS meth-max Mode of action III
Anaerobic digestion for Biogas production
Meth-max-Particle
active microorganisms
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IPUS meth-max Mode of action IV
Before incubation
After incubation
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Results of permanent Lab experiments

• Improved degradation (raised VS-degradation,
  raised
• methane
  yield)
• Accelerated degradation (higher methane
  production rate,
• 
  shorter residence time)

• Renewables
• Coferments
• Biowaste

different modified products
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IPUS meth-max Increase in Methan production rate
Reduction of Retention time
Increase in gas production
IPUS meth-max IPUS meth-max
IPUS meth-max IPUS meth-max IPUS meth-max
Amon T. (2004)
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IPUS meth-max

• Advantages for the plant performance

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Main advantages

• Raise of profit
• Significant increase of gas yield
• Reduction of operating costs
• Increase of value of fermentation residue
• Stability
• Reduction of process inhibition by H2S, NH3 and
  VFA, H2
• Safety
• Environmentally friendly product, harmless for
  fermenter biocenosis

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Increase of efficiency

• Increase in gas production
• Increase in methane concentration
• Lower substrate demand for the same gas yield
• Increase in organic load without loss of
  stability
• Increase of capacity (organic loading rate)
• Degradation of scum and sink layers

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IPUS meth-max

• References and case studies

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Excerpt of the reference list
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Case study I Coferment biogas plant
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Case study II Renewables biogas plant
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Conclusion

• IPUS meth-max enhances significantly the profit
  of biogas plants.
• Individual modified products and supplementation
• Increasing numbers of successful applications in
  Austria and Germany (gt100)
• Close cooperation with universities (Boku Vienna,
  TU Graz, University Leoben, LFZ Gumpenstein) at
  technical plants to promote basic research and
  development of individual solutions.
• Competent advice and accurate analysis of all
  plants, in combination with IPUS NIRS NANOBAG.

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Thank you for your attention!