Cranfield University has opened a new anaerobic digestion (AD) pilot plant facility today (16 October) to provide research and development opportunities for students and small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
The facility, part of the Bio-Thermal RED project, which is jointly funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), Shanks Waste Management (Shanks) and Cranfield University, has been developed by Shanks to demonstrate the AD process to students and business alike, and support large-scale research and development projects.
How the pilot plant works
The facility will treat food waste from the university campus (as well as some commercial and industrial waste) and turn it into biogas for renewable energy generation.
Specifically, the incoming organic waste will be broken down in silos by micro-organisms to produce biogas, which can be converted into energy, and a digestate that can be used as fertiliser or soil conditioner.
The demonstration plant has the capacity to divert up to 10 tonnes of food waste from landfill, while producing up to eight tonnes of fertiliser each year.
It is hoped the integrated facility will provide SMEs with a ‘plug-and-play’ opportunity for research and development, so that they can:
- understand the benefits of AD (and allay concerns over commercial risk);
- develop expertise in AD design;
- test input and output materials in the university’s labs; and
- have any questions answered (by demonstrator staff).
The AD plant will also be used as a demonstration facility for biological and thermal renewable energy technologies for research students. Shanks will have access to the data from these projects and the resulting research work in the hopes of ‘allowing them to reduce risk and create further efficiencies in their existing and pipeline facilities’.
To date, the facility has created two jobs and supported over 20 East England SMEs through a series of workshops and company specific project-based support.
“Improve our ongoing operations and future tenders”
Commenting on the new facility Peter Eglinton, UK Managing Director at Shanks, said: “By supplying this kit to Cranfield University, we are able to invest in learning and development in our industry, whilst obtaining research which will improve our ongoing operations and future tenders.
“I look forward to working with the university to review the progress of the line and seeing students learn how to make more from waste.”
Sir Peter Gregson, Vice Chancellor and Chief Executive of Cranfield, added: “We are delighted to officially open the anaerobic digester plant. This celebration reflects our desire to work closely with business, through such work, to provide a positive impact on society.
“This specialist plant is another example of industrial scale facilities, for which Cranfield University is renowned. It reinforces Cranfield’s commitment to sustainability which is reflected in our accreditation to ISO14001 environmental management systems.”
Read more about the increase in AD plants across the UK.
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