Where can digester systems be utilized?

Digester systems are used in many different industries to reduce the amount of waste they produce. These systems can be utilized in a number of ways, including processing food scraps and animal manure to create biogas that is then burned for energy or converted into natural gas. The most common place that a digester system is utilized, is in the agricultural industry. Home digester systems have also recently been growing in popularity over the last few years, however there are still many who do not know where and when a digester system would be suitable. The following examples will give you some insight into the practical uses for which a digester system may be beneficial.

Digester Systems In The Agriculture & Farming Industry

Farmyard manure storage and digestion is one of the most common uses for a digester system, as it can help to improve upon what would otherwise be a less than ideal storage situation. The breakdown process occurring within the large digester tank helps to reduce the bacterial content of fecal matter as well as actively producing methane, which is then used to generate electricity, heat, and power for other end uses. Digester systems provide a great opportunity to utilize would be waste and create potential for sustainability, secondary income for farmers, and new job growth while ultimately reducing our carbon footprint.

How Do Digester Systems Work?

On paper, it is very simple. Digesters are large tanks that are filled with bacteria and microorganisms that process organic waste through anaerobic digestion. This happens when the bacteria eat the material they are given and produce methane gas as a byproduct. The methane is then captured, cleaned up to remove hydrogen sulfide, and then is used to produce biogas that can be used for heating, electricity, power or transportation fuel. The digestate (the material after digestion) has little to no odor and is nutrient rich. It makes an excellent fertilizer for crops, lawns and gardens.

This process of anaerobic digestion can be used in the treatment of waste water, mainly from agricultural activities such as food processing and livestock farming. Anaerobic processes involve a breakdown process where microorganisms break down biodegradable material such as cellulose and other sugars under low oxygen conditions which produce methane gas. This type of anaerobic digestion is an ideal process for treating waste water from livestock farming because it can remove much of the organic matter that would otherwise pollute waterways. It is also a much more attractive option when compared to other traditional methods such as disposal or incineration, which not only require large capital costs but also produce more of an environmental impact.

Digester Systems In The Industrial Sector

Industrial businesses around the world are now adopting digester systems to help them manage their sludge successfully. While many of these companies have already taken the leap towards cleaner technology, others are still stuck with an older form of wastewater management.

One category of industrial practice that typically uses a digester system is the paper mill industry. In this instance, anaerobic digestion is used to break down and utilize wastes from industrial processes such as pulp and paper manufacturing byproducts, which would otherwise be too expensive to dispose of using traditional methods. Anaerobic digestion not only helps with waste disposal but can also help to give waste products a new lease on life by recycling them into other commercial goods.

Other Industries Where Digester Systems Can Be Utilized

Other industries where anaerobic digester systems are used are in food processing, dairies, breweries and wineries. Anaerobic digestion is also the main process employed within sewage treatment facilities where it is mainly used for removal of harmful pollutants from wastewater, to make it safer for release back into the environment. There are also many other smaller scale uses for anaerobic digester systems. For example, they have been used in households to process the waste from livestock and pets. Those living in remote areas may wish to consider installing a digester system that utilizes their own manure to provide them with a valuable source of power.

The Use Of Home Digester Systems

When we think about renewable energy, we usually think of solar and wind power. However, some people are switching to renewable sources that can be found around their home or even made on a small scale from organic waste. One such source of renewable energy is biogas. Biogas is methane-rich gas that's created by the breakdown of organic materials in an oxygen free (anaerobic) environment. And this gas can be created with a digester system and then be used to provide heat and power for a home.

Our Conclusion

If you’ve read this far, we know that now is the time to find a better, more sustainable way of handling waste. But where can digester systems be utilized and why are they so important? The answer lies in their ability to turn organic material into natural gas or electricity as well as reducing methane emissions from landfills, conserving water resources, and nutrient rich fertilizer. So what does all this mean for you? Well, if it makes sense for your business or even your home, then we suggest you invest in the future by getting yourself a digester system!