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AU2008201899A1 - Process, apparatus and system for treatment of animal waste and wastewater - Google Patents

Process, apparatus and system for treatment of animal waste and wastewater Download PDF

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Publication number
AU2008201899A1
AU2008201899A1 AU2008201899A AU2008201899A AU2008201899A1 AU 2008201899 A1 AU2008201899 A1 AU 2008201899A1 AU 2008201899 A AU2008201899 A AU 2008201899A AU 2008201899 A AU2008201899 A AU 2008201899A AU 2008201899 A1 AU2008201899 A1 AU 2008201899A1
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Prior art keywords
anaerobic digester
wastewater
animal waste
anaerobic
digester
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Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Abandoned
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AU2008201899A
Inventor
John C Folks
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QED Occtech Services Pty Ltd
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QED Occtech Services Pty Ltd
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Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from AU2007902455A external-priority patent/AU2007902455A0/en
Application filed by QED Occtech Services Pty Ltd filed Critical QED Occtech Services Pty Ltd
Priority to AU2008201899A priority Critical patent/AU2008201899A1/en
Publication of AU2008201899A1 publication Critical patent/AU2008201899A1/en
Abandoned legal-status Critical Current

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    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C02—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
    • C02F—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
    • C02F3/00—Biological treatment of water, waste water, or sewage
    • C02F3/02—Aerobic processes
    • C02F3/10—Packings; Fillings; Grids
    • C02F3/101—Arranged-type packing, e.g. stacks, arrays
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01J—CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROCESSES, e.g. CATALYSIS OR COLLOID CHEMISTRY; THEIR RELEVANT APPARATUS
    • B01J19/00—Chemical, physical or physico-chemical processes in general; Their relevant apparatus
    • B01J19/0053—Details of the reactor
    • B01J19/006—Baffles
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C02—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
    • C02F—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
    • C02F3/00—Biological treatment of water, waste water, or sewage
    • C02F3/28—Anaerobic digestion processes
    • C02F3/2806—Anaerobic processes using solid supports for microorganisms
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C12—BIOCHEMISTRY; BEER; SPIRITS; WINE; VINEGAR; MICROBIOLOGY; ENZYMOLOGY; MUTATION OR GENETIC ENGINEERING
    • C12M—APPARATUS FOR ENZYMOLOGY OR MICROBIOLOGY; APPARATUS FOR CULTURING MICROORGANISMS FOR PRODUCING BIOMASS, FOR GROWING CELLS OR FOR OBTAINING FERMENTATION OR METABOLIC PRODUCTS, i.e. BIOREACTORS OR FERMENTERS
    • C12M21/00—Bioreactors or fermenters specially adapted for specific uses
    • C12M21/04—Bioreactors or fermenters specially adapted for specific uses for producing gas, e.g. biogas
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C12—BIOCHEMISTRY; BEER; SPIRITS; WINE; VINEGAR; MICROBIOLOGY; ENZYMOLOGY; MUTATION OR GENETIC ENGINEERING
    • C12M—APPARATUS FOR ENZYMOLOGY OR MICROBIOLOGY; APPARATUS FOR CULTURING MICROORGANISMS FOR PRODUCING BIOMASS, FOR GROWING CELLS OR FOR OBTAINING FERMENTATION OR METABOLIC PRODUCTS, i.e. BIOREACTORS OR FERMENTERS
    • C12M23/00—Constructional details, e.g. recesses, hinges
    • C12M23/36—Means for collection or storage of gas; Gas holders
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C12—BIOCHEMISTRY; BEER; SPIRITS; WINE; VINEGAR; MICROBIOLOGY; ENZYMOLOGY; MUTATION OR GENETIC ENGINEERING
    • C12M—APPARATUS FOR ENZYMOLOGY OR MICROBIOLOGY; APPARATUS FOR CULTURING MICROORGANISMS FOR PRODUCING BIOMASS, FOR GROWING CELLS OR FOR OBTAINING FERMENTATION OR METABOLIC PRODUCTS, i.e. BIOREACTORS OR FERMENTERS
    • C12M25/00—Means for supporting, enclosing or fixing the microorganisms, e.g. immunocoatings
    • C12M25/02—Membranes; Filters
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01J—CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROCESSES, e.g. CATALYSIS OR COLLOID CHEMISTRY; THEIR RELEVANT APPARATUS
    • B01J2219/00—Chemical, physical or physico-chemical processes in general; Their relevant apparatus
    • B01J2219/00049—Controlling or regulating processes
    • B01J2219/00051—Controlling the temperature
    • B01J2219/00121—Controlling the temperature by direct heating or cooling
    • B01J2219/00123—Controlling the temperature by direct heating or cooling adding a temperature modifying medium to the reactants
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C02—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
    • C02F—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
    • C02F2103/00—Nature of the water, waste water, sewage or sludge to be treated
    • C02F2103/008—Originating from marine vessels, ships and boats, e.g. bilge water or ballast water
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C02—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
    • C02F—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
    • C02F2103/00—Nature of the water, waste water, sewage or sludge to be treated
    • C02F2103/20—Nature of the water, waste water, sewage or sludge to be treated from animal husbandry
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C02—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
    • C02F—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
    • C02F2103/00—Nature of the water, waste water, sewage or sludge to be treated
    • C02F2103/22—Nature of the water, waste water, sewage or sludge to be treated from the processing of animals, e.g. poultry, fish, or parts thereof
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C02—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
    • C02F—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
    • C02F2103/00—Nature of the water, waste water, sewage or sludge to be treated
    • C02F2103/26—Nature of the water, waste water, sewage or sludge to be treated from the processing of plants or parts thereof
    • C02F2103/28—Nature of the water, waste water, sewage or sludge to be treated from the processing of plants or parts thereof from the paper or cellulose industry
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C02—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
    • C02F—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
    • C02F2103/00—Nature of the water, waste water, sewage or sludge to be treated
    • C02F2103/32—Nature of the water, waste water, sewage or sludge to be treated from the food or foodstuff industry, e.g. brewery waste waters
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C02—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
    • C02F—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
    • C02F2103/00—Nature of the water, waste water, sewage or sludge to be treated
    • C02F2103/32—Nature of the water, waste water, sewage or sludge to be treated from the food or foodstuff industry, e.g. brewery waste waters
    • C02F2103/325—Nature of the water, waste water, sewage or sludge to be treated from the food or foodstuff industry, e.g. brewery waste waters from processes relating to the production of wine products
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C02—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
    • C02F—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
    • C02F2103/00—Nature of the water, waste water, sewage or sludge to be treated
    • C02F2103/32—Nature of the water, waste water, sewage or sludge to be treated from the food or foodstuff industry, e.g. brewery waste waters
    • C02F2103/327—Nature of the water, waste water, sewage or sludge to be treated from the food or foodstuff industry, e.g. brewery waste waters from processes relating to the production of dairy products
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C02—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
    • C02F—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
    • C02F2103/00—Nature of the water, waste water, sewage or sludge to be treated
    • C02F2103/34—Nature of the water, waste water, sewage or sludge to be treated from industrial activities not provided for in groups C02F2103/12 - C02F2103/32
    • C02F2103/343—Nature of the water, waste water, sewage or sludge to be treated from industrial activities not provided for in groups C02F2103/12 - C02F2103/32 from the pharmaceutical industry, e.g. containing antibiotics
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02E—REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
    • Y02E50/00—Technologies for the production of fuel of non-fossil origin
    • Y02E50/30—Fuel from waste, e.g. synthetic alcohol or diesel
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02W—CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO WASTEWATER TREATMENT OR WASTE MANAGEMENT
    • Y02W10/00—Technologies for wastewater treatment
    • Y02W10/10—Biological treatment of water, waste water, or sewage

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  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Organic Chemistry (AREA)
  • Microbiology (AREA)
  • Zoology (AREA)
  • Wood Science & Technology (AREA)
  • Bioinformatics & Cheminformatics (AREA)
  • Genetics & Genomics (AREA)
  • Sustainable Development (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Biomedical Technology (AREA)
  • Biotechnology (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Biochemistry (AREA)
  • Water Supply & Treatment (AREA)
  • Molecular Biology (AREA)
  • Biodiversity & Conservation Biology (AREA)
  • Hydrology & Water Resources (AREA)
  • Environmental & Geological Engineering (AREA)
  • General Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
  • Oil, Petroleum & Natural Gas (AREA)
  • Immunology (AREA)
  • Clinical Laboratory Science (AREA)
  • Purification Treatments By Anaerobic Or Anaerobic And Aerobic Bacteria Or Animals (AREA)

Description

AUSTRALIA
Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION Standard Patent Applicant(s): QED OCCTECH SERVICES PTY LTD Invention Title: PROCESS, APPARATUS AND SYSTEM FOR TREATMENT OF ANIMAL WASTE AND WASTEWATER.
The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method for performing it known to me/us: P82752.AU.I PatSeLFWg AppiiAon 2008-4-2gdoc (P) 00 2 00 PROCESS, APPARATUS AND SYSTEM FOR TREATMENT OF ANIMAL WASTE AND WASTEWATER C( 5 Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a process, apparatus and 00 system for treatment of animal waste and wastewater. In (C particular the present invention relates to a process, 00 0 10 apparatus and system for anaerobic digestion of flushed Cq livestock manure.
Background Animal feeding operations must increasingly comply with new and more stringent environmental regulations. These regulations address water discharges, water quality, air emissions and air quality. Odour complaints from neighbours and in some cases lawsuits are no longer rare and restrictions on land application of raw manure are already in place in many areas.
Many of these animal feeding operations have for many years simply flushed their animal waste and wastewater into a lagoon that is located adjacent to the animal holding areas.
Covers have been often placed on the lagoons in an attempt to facilitate anaerobic digestion of the animal waste, reduce the odours and in some cases to capture and use the biogas, either as fuel to power an engine generator, and gas heaters, or simply flame the biogas. The process of anaerobic digestion by which anaerobic micro-organisms are N:\Perth\Cases\Patent\62000-62999\P62752AU1\Specis\Speci P62752.AU.1.doc 29/04/2008 00 3 p placed in an oxygen-free environment and transform organic Smaterial into biogas is well documented.
Since animal waste is often flushed into the c 5 aforementioned lagoon, especially in the southern United States, when it reaches the lagoon it is very dilute (1-2% Ch solids). Although many forms of anaerobic digester for 00 production of biogas have been developed, the majority C1 have been conceived to address a waste stream with more 00 concentrated solids than those found in flushed (1 animal waste management systems. The dilute waste stream produced by flushed animal waste management systems makes the majority of these anaerobic digesters either biologically or fiscally dysfunctional. Typically, lagoons which have been adapted to operate as anaerobic digesters and produce biogas have proved marginally profitable because of their inefficient production of biogas.
The failure of these lagoons to efficiently produce biogas can be attributed in part to the washout of anaerobic organisms from the lagoon when the animal waste and wastewater is flushed into the lagoon on a daily basis, thereby further diluting the available bioactive populations to produce biogas. Accordingly, the present lagoon systems typically cover large surface areas of up to 5-10 hectares, and generally require about 30 days to maximize biogas production.
Fixed-film systems, such as is described in US Patent No.
6,811,701, have been proposed as alternative solutions to the management of animal waste and wastewater by treatment in flushed lagoons. The fixed-film system includes an N:\Perth\Cases\Patent\62000-62999\P62752.AU.1\Specis\Speci P62752.AU.l.doc 29/04/2008 00 enclosed anaerobic digester tank with a fixed or flexible k roof and fixed internal media to support biofilm development. The fixed-film system has a retention time of three days, but is limited to treatment of animal waste and wastewater containing fine suspended and volatile organics, and its efficiency is compromised when larger 00 solids are present in the waste stream because of the accumulation and retention of solids on the fixed internal 00 media.
The present invention seeks to overcome at least some of the above mentioned disadvantages.
Summary of the Invention In its broadest aspect, the invention provides a process, apparatus and system for the treatment of animal waste and wastewater.
Accordingly, in a first aspect, the invention provides an apparatus for treating animal waste and wastewater comprising an anaerobic digester having an inlet positioned therein for introducing the animal waste and wastewater to the anaerobic digester in a manner to induce a substantially circumferential flow of the wastewater in the anaerobic digester, a support media for supporting anaerobic micro-organisms in the anaerobic digester, an outlet for collecting biogas from the anaerobic digester, and a discharge outlet for discharging the treated animal waste and wastewater from the anaerobic digester.
In a second aspect, the invention provides a system for treating animal waste and wastewater comprising: N:\Perth\Cases\Patent\62000-62999\P62752.AU.l\Specis\Speci P62752.AU.l.doc 29/04/2008 OO 5 00 0 a source of animal waste and wastewater; San anaerobic digester having an inlet positioned therein for introducing the animal waste and wastewater to Sthe anaerobic digester in a manner to induce a substantially circumferential flow of the wastewater in the anaerobic digester, a support media for supporting 00 anaerobic micro-organisms in the anaerobic digester, an Soutlet for collecting biogas from the anaerobic digester, 00 and a discharge outlet for discharging the treated animal waste and wastewater from the anaerobic digester; and
(N
a means to transfer the animal waste and wastewater from the source of said animal waste and wastewater to the inlet of the anaerobic digester.
In a third aspect, the present invention provides a process for treating animal waste and wastewater comprising the steps of: a) introducing the animal waste and wastewater to an anaerobic digester in a manner to induce a substantially circumferential flow of the animal waste and wastewater in the anaerobic digester; b) contacting the circumferential flow of animal waste and wastewater with anaerobic micro-organisms supported in the anaerobic digester and anaerobically digesting the animal waste and wastewater; c) collecting biogas produced by the anaerobic digestion of the animal waste and wastewater; and d) discharging the treated animal waste and wastewater from the anaerobic digester.
N:\Perth\Cases\Patent\62000-62999\P62752.AU.1\Specis\Speci P62752.AU.l.doc 29/04/2008 00 6 O Description of the Figures Accompanying the Description Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view of an apparatus to 0 treat animal waste and wastewater in accordance with the present invention; 00 Figure 2 is a top plan view of the apparatus shown in SFigure 1; and 00 Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of a support media for supporting anaerobic micro-organisms in the apparatus of Figures 1 and 2.
Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments Referring to the Figures there is provided an apparatus to treat animal waste and wastewater.
The apparatus 10 includes an anaerobic digester 20 having an inlet 22 for introducing the animal waste and wastewater to the anaerobic digester 20, a support media for supporting anaerobic micro-organisms in the anaerobic digester 20, an outlet 40 for collecting biogas from the anaerobic digester 20, and a discharge outlet for discharging the treated animal waste and wastewater from the anaerobic digester Any anaerobic digester may be used in the apparatus 10 of the present invention, and it may be operated as a continuous or batch anaerobic digester. The term "anaerobic digester" as used herein refers to a device that promotes biochemical decomposition of complex organic material into biogas comprising methane, carbon dioxide, N:\Perth\Cases\Patent\62000-62999\P62752.AU.1\Specis\Speci P62752.AU.l.doc 29/04/2008 O 7 00 Sand optionally hydrogen and/or hydrogen sulphide, and Sother organic by-products. Suitable examples of anaerobic digesters which can be used in the present invention 0 include, but are not limited to, covered lagoons and enclosed tanks.
00 In one embodiment of the invention, as shown in Figure 1, Sthe anaerobic digester 20 is a covered lagoon 20a. The 00 covered lagoon 20a comprises a lagoon 21 lined with concrete, a plastics material or clay to discourage leakage, and a cover 24 substantially extending over the lagoon 21. Typically, the lagoon 21 may cover up to 2 hectares in surface area at a depth in a range of 1 to 2 metres. The lagoon depth is determined by the depth to the watertable, for which 1 to 2 meters is typical. The volumne of the lagoon is determined by the 24-hour volume of discharge into it. For dairy cows, for example, the volume is 80 to 200 gallons/day/animal, multipled by the number of days required for retention.
The purpose of the cover 24 may be three-fold: to capture the biogas that results from the conversion of the organic material in the animal waste and wastewater, reduce odour, and to retain and conserve thermal energy in the covered lagoon 20a. Typically the cover 24 is configured to be spaced apart from the surface of the animal waste and wastewater in the lagoon 21 at a sufficient distance to ensure a free flow of biogas as it evolves during anaerobic digestion.
While lagoon covers are known, many are of very poor quality and are easily damaged by wind storms. The design of such prior art covers are such that heavy rains allow N:\Perth\Cases\Patent\62000-62999\P62752.AU.\Specis\Speci P62752.AU.1.doc 29/04/2008 00 -8 water to accumulate on the cover and further restrict the Sflow of biogas.
In one embodiment of the invention the cover 24 is comprised of heavy duty coated fabrics which are bonded together and fitted with steel cables to ensure secure 00 anchoring of the cover 24 over the lagoon 21. In this way, a long service life for the cover 24 is assured even 00 in areas that may encounter hurricane strength winds.
The cover 24 has a rim 25 which is disposed proximal a circumferential edge of the lagoon 21. In one embodiment the rim 25 of the cover 24 is provided with weights and an anchoring means (not shown) to provide a seal between the rim 25 of the cover 24 and the lagoon 21, typically a base 26 of the lagoon 21.
In an alternative embodiment, the rim 25 can be provided with a plurality of flotation devices which float on the surface of the contents of the lagoon 21, thereby providing a seal between the rim 25 of the cover 24 and the lagoon 21.
It will be appreciated that the term "seal" as used in the context of this specification does not refer to a watertight, nor necessarily an air-tight, seal between the rim of the cover 24 and the lagoon 21, but rather the term refers to the degree of interaction between the rim 25 of the cover 24 and the lagoon 21 being sufficient to substantially minimise leakage of biogas from the covered lagoon N:\Perth\Cases\Patent\62000-62999\P62752.AU.1\Specis\Speci P62752.AU.l.doc 29/04/2008 00 In one particular embodiment of the invention, the base 26 Sof the anaerobic digester 20 has an inverted conical profile, as shown in Figure 1, such that the depth of the Sanaerobic digester 20 is greater at its circumferential edge than at its centre. A plurality of sumps 28 may be disposed at the circumferential edge of the anaerobic 00 digester 20 at regular intervals in the base 26. The purpose of the sumps 28 is to collect large solids within 00 the animal waste and wastewater, whereafter the large solids can be removed from the anaerobic digester 20 for further treatment. It is envisaged that pumps (not shown) may be used to remove large solids which have collected in the sumps 28. The volume of large solids is dependent upon the mass of solids generated and the daily volume flow into the digester The inlet 22 for introducing the animal waste and wastewater to the anaerobic digester 20 is configured to introduce the animal waste and wastewater in a manner which induces a circumferential flow of the animal waste and wastewater in the anaerobic digester In one embodiment of the invention, the inlet 22 is disposed in the circumferential edge of the anaerobic digester 20. The inlet 22 is arranged at an angle in the range of 25 to 750 with respect to the circumferential edge of the anaerobic digester 20. The angle is selected such that the direction of influence and mass of introduced animal waste and wastewater induces a circumferential flow of the animal waste and wastewater in the anaerobic digester N:\Perth\Cases\Patent\62000-62999\P627S2.AU.1\Specis\Speci P62752.AU.1.doc 29/04/2008
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00 10 00 The induction and maintenance of a circumferential flow of Sanimal waste and wastewater within the anaerobic digester is beneficial for several reasons: the centrifugal force of the mass of animal waste and waste water flowing in a circumferential direction causes 00 the large solids in the anaerobic digester 20 to migrate and settle in the sumps 28 located in the base 26 of the 00 anaerobic digester 20, thus facilitating ready separation and removal thereof; the momentum of the circumferential flow of animal waste and wastewater in the anaerobic digester 20 retards the settlement of solids on the support media 30 for anaerobic micro-organisms within the anaerobic digester In this way, as large a surface area of the support media 30 as possible is maintained as available for treatment of the animal waste and wastewater by anaerobic digestion; and the circumferential flow of animal waste and wastewater in the anaerobic digester 20 optimises the mass transfer of organic material contained in the animal waste and wastewater in respect of the support media The support media 30 for supporting anaerobic microorganisms in the anaerobic digester 20 comprises a plurality of flexible members 32, each flexible member 32 having a fixed end 34 and a free end 36.
In a preferred embodiment the flexible members 32 are formed from material with large surface area characteristics suitable for inducing and supporting N:\Perth\Cases\Patent\62000-62999\P62752.AU.l\Specis\Speci P62752.AU.l.doc 29/04/2008 00 biological activity thereon, in particular anaerobic micro-organisms, even more particularly methagens.
Suitable examples of material with such large surface area Scharacteristics include, but are not limited to, mesh, netting, felt material, and high surface area polymer materials, such as for example AquaMats® available from 00 Meridian Aquatic Technology, LLC. Typically, the flexible members 32 are long elongate strips of said material (eg.
00 200 cm x 2 cm), the free ends 36 thereof being capable of undulating in the circumferential flow of animal waste and wastewater in the anaerobic digester In one embodiment of the invention, respective fixed ends 34 of the flexible members 32 are fixed to the base 26 of the anaerobic digester 20 and the free ends 36 of the flexible members 32 are allowed to float substantially upwards through the contents of the anaerobic digester In a further embodiment, the fixed ends 34 of the flexible members 32 are provided with weights or anchors (not shown). Typically, the weights or anchors are positioned at regular intervals on the base 26 of the anaerobic digester 20 so that the support media 20 is substantially regularly distributed throughout the anaerobic digester In another embodiment of the invention, respective fixed ends 34 of the flexible members 32 are provided with floats (not shown) which are arranged to "anchor" the fixed ends 34 of the flexible members 32 at, or proximal to, the surface of the contents of the anaerobic digester thereby allowing the free ends 36 of the flexible members 32 to float substantially downwards through the contents of the anaerobic digester 20. Typically, the N:\Perth\Cases\Patent\62000-62999\P62752.AU.l\Specis\Speci P62752.AU.l.doc 29/04/2008
I
00 12 floats are positioned at regular intervals on the base 26 Sof the anaerobic digester 20 so that the support media is substantially regularly distributed throughout the Sanaerobic digester In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the fixed ends 00 34 of the flexible members 32 are fixed to a frame disposed in the anaerobic digester 20, as shown in the 00 Figures, allowing the free ends 36 of the flexible members to undulate freely in the circumferential flow of animal waste and wastewater contained in the anaerobic digester Typically, the frame 35 is constructed from small diameter pipe members formed from plastic, galvanised, or stainless steel.
It will be appreciated that the shape and size of the frame 35 will be adapted to correspond with the shape and size of the anaerobic digester 20. One particular embodiment of the frame is shown in Figures 1 and 2, wherein the frame 35 is substantially cylindrical having a lower circular member 36 and an upper circular member 38 longitudinally aligned therewith. Each of the circular members 36, 38 are provided with a respective plurality of radial members 37. The lower and upper circular members 38 are interconnected with a plurality of regularly spaced vertical members 39 disposed at regular intervals along the circular members 36, 38, and at regular radial intervals between vertically aligned radial members 37 of the circular members 36, 38.
N:\Perth\Cases\Patent\62000-62999\P62752.AU.1\Specis\Speci P62752.AU.1.doc 29/04/2008 00 13 0 In this particular embodiment, a plurality of flexible Smembers 32 can be fixed at regular intervals to the vertical members 39 at respective fixed ends 34, as shown in Figure 3.
The induced circumferential flow of the animal waste and 00 wastewater in the anaerobic digester 20 causes the Sflexible members 32 to undulate in the circumferential
(N
00 flow, thereby optimising the surface area of the flexible members 32 that is exposed to the animal waste and wastewater and enhancing mass transfer in the anaerobic digestion reaction. In this way, biogas production efficiency within the anaerobic digester 20 is greatly increased compared with prior art systems, in particular flushed lagoons.
In one embodiment, the apparatus 10 further comprises a heater 60. Typically, the heater 60 heats the animal waste and waste water in the anaerobic digester 20 to maintain the temperature of the contents in the anaerobic digester 20 to a range of 90 140 0 F to encourage optimal methogen growth. The animal waste and waste water is heated in the anaerobic digester 20 in a controlled manner to reduce any detrimental effects to the methagen populations within the anaerobic digester 20, while maximising biogas production.
In a preferred embodiment, the heater 60 comprises one or more inlets 62 arranged to introduce heated water into the animal waste and wastewater in the anaerobic digester The heated water is introduced in a controlled manner to anaerobic digester 20. Advantageously, the circumferential flow of animal waste and waste water N:\Perth\Cases\Patent\62000-62999\P62752.AU.1\Specis\Speci P62752.AU.l.doc 29/04/2008 00 14 00 0 assists in the mixing of the heated water with the Scontents of the anaerobic digester SIn alternative embodiments, the heater 60 is an immersion heater.
00 In an alternative embodiment, the frame 35 could be CD adapted to deliver heated water through a series of 00 perforations therein into the anaerobic digester In one embodiment of the invention, the outlet 40 for collecting biogas comprises a conduit optionally connected to a vacuum pump (not shown) to separate the biogas from the apparatus 10. In most cases, however, a positive pressure of biogas will be generated in the apparatus such that a free flow of biogas will be directed through the outlet 40 into a biogas storage facility, or for consumption by a burner, power generator, or such like.
The discharge outlet 50 for discharging treated animal waste and wastewater may comprise an overflow screen directed to a tangential flow separator for further clarification and purification of the treated animal waste and wastewater.
The apparatus 10 of the present invention, as described above, is readily incorporated into a system for treating animal waste and wastewater. The apparatus 10 may be located proximal to a source of animal waste and wastewater, and the system may be further provided with a means to transfer the animal waste and wastewater from the source of said animal waste and wastewater to the inlet of the anaerobic digester.
N:\Perth\Cases\Patent\62000-62999\P62752.AU.1\Specis\Speci P62752.AU.l.doc 29/04/2008 00 15 The animal waste and wastewater can be treated by introducing the animal waste and wastewater to the O anaerobic digester 20 in a manner to induce a substantially circumferential flow of the animal waste and 0 wastewater in the anaerobic digester 20, and contacting 00 the circumferential flow of animal waste and wastewater Swith anaerobic micro-organisms supported in the anaerobic 00 digester 20 and anaerobically digesting the animal waste and wastewater. The biogas produced by anaerobic digestion of the animal waste and wastewater is subsequently collected, and the treated animal waste and wastewater is discharged from the anaerobic digester Typically, the animal waste and waste water is sourced from agricultural and industrial operations, in particular animal feeding operations, such as piggeries, poultry farms, dairies, and stock feedlots. Suitable examples of other agricultural and industrial operations include, but are not limited to, abattoirs, brewing facilities, winery, agricultural crop processing, food processing, timber production, pulp and paper production, pharmaceutical, and chemical. Wastewater may also be sourced from municipal and shipboard operations.
The process of the present invention is particularly suitable for treatment of animal waste and wastewater comprising 1-8% solids. It will be appreciated that a desirable concentration of solids may be obtained by diluting the animal waste and wastewater received directly from the source of said animal waste and wastewater.
N:\Perth\Cases\Patent\62000-62999\P62752.AU.1\Specis\Speci P62752.AU.l.doc 29/04/2008 00 16 00 Suitable anaerobic micro-organisms for biogas production Swill be well known to persons skilled in the art. In particular, methagenic populations of anaerobic micro- Sorganisms are to be preferred.
In one embodiment the process further comprises heating 00 the animal waste and wastewater in the anaerobic digester to a range of 90 140 degrees Fahrenheit. In a 00 preferred embodiment, the animal waste and wastewater is heated by delivering heated water thereto. Maintaining a controlled temperature in the range of 90 140 degrees Fahrenheit enhances the rate of metabolic conversion of organic material in the animal waste and wastewater to biogas by the anaerobic micro-organisms, in particular the methagens, supported in the anaerobic digester.
The anaerobic micro-organisms are supported in the anaerobic digester on flexible members formed from material with large surface area characteristics suitable for inducing and supporting biological activity thereon, in particular anaerobic micro-organisms, even more particularly methagens. The flexible members are caused to undulate in the circumferential flow of the animal waste and wastewater contained in the anaerobic digester, thus substantially increasing exposure of the animal waste and wastewater to the anaerobic micro-organisms.
Advantageously, the circumferential flow retards the settlement of solids on the biological active surfaces thus increasing the micro-organisms' efficiency.
The increased exposure of the animal waste and waste water and the maximization of the biologically active surface area in conjunction with the controlled environment N:\Perth\Cases\Patent\62000-62999\P62752.AU.l\Specis\Speci P62752.AU.l.doc 29/04/2008
I
00 17 through the introduction of heated water from an outside Ssource provide an ideal environment for the biological conversion of organic material to biogas thus Ssubstantially increase biogas production.
The proposed system would have a 5-7 day retention time.
00 The smaller retention time is a direct result from the environmental manipulation and maximized surface area.
00 Thus capital costs would be significantly less than either existing systems.
It is to be understood that, although prior art use and publications may be referred to herein, such reference does not constitute an admission that any of these form a part of the common general knowledge in the art, in Australia or any other country.
For the purposes of this specification it will be clearly understood that the word "comprising" means "including but not limited to", and that the word "comprises" has a corresponding meaning.
Numerous variations and modifications will suggest themselves to persons skilled in the relevant art, in addition to those already described, without departing from the basic inventive concepts. All such variations and modifications are to be considered within the scope of the present invention, the nature of which is to be determined from the foregoing description.
For example, in an alternative embodiment of the invention, the anaerobic digester is an enclosed tank situated either above or below ground. The enclosed tank N:\Perth\Cases\Patent\62000-62999\P62752.AU.1\Specis\Speci P62752.AU.l.doc 29/04/2008
I
00 18 00 0 may be constructed from either steel or concrete or other
(N
Ssuitable construction materials. It will be appreciated that the enclosed tank will be configured to allow for ample headspace between the contents of the enclosed tank and the roof thereof to ensure a free flow of biogas as it evolves during anaerobic digestion, and the base of the 00 enclosed tank may have an inverted conical shape to allow Sfor settlement of solids proximal to a circumferential
(N
00 edge of the enclosed tank.
0 CD
(N
N:\Perth\Cases\Patent\62000-62999\P62752.AU.1\Specis\Speci P62752.AU.l.doc 29/04/2008

Claims (22)

1. A process for treating animal waste and wastewater comprising the steps of: a) introducing the animal waste and wastewater to an C anaerobic digester in a manner to induce a C0 substantially circumferential flow of the animal 00 waste and wastewater in the anaerobic digester; OO b) contacting the circumferential flow of animal waste and wastewater with anaerobic micro-organisms supported in the anaerobic digester and anaerobically digesting the animal waste and wastewater; c) collecting biogas produced by the anaerobic digestion of the animal waste and wastewater; and d) discharging the treated animal waste and wastewater from the anaerobic digester.
2. The process according to claim 1, wherein the process further comprises heating the animal waste and wastewater in the anaerobic digester to a temperature in the range of 90 140 degrees Fahrenheit.
3. The process according to claim 2, wherein the step of heating the animal waste and wastewater in the anaerobic digester comprises delivering heated water thereto.
4. The process according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the anaerobic micro-organisms are supported in the anaerobic digester on flexible members formed from material with a large surface area. N:\Perth\Cases\Patent\62000-62999\P62752.AU.l\Specis\Speci P62752.AU.l.doc 29/04/2008 I 00 20 00 0 5. The process according to claim 4, wherein the flexible members are caused to undulate in the circumferential flow of the animal waste and wastewater Scontained in the anaerobic digester.
6. The process according to any one of the preceding OO claims, wherein the animal waste and wastewater comprises about 1-8% w/w solids. 00 o S 1 0 7. The process according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the anaerobic micro-organisms comprise methagenic populations of anaerobic micro-organisms for biogas production.
8. An apparatus for treating animal waste and wastewater comprising an anaerobic digester having an inlet positioned therein for introducing the animal waste and wastewater to the anaerobic digester in a manner to induce a substantially circumferential flow of the wastewater in the anaerobic digester, a support media for supporting anaerobic micro-organisms in the anaerobic digester, an outlet for collecting biogas from the anaerobic digester, and a discharge outlet for discharging the treated animal waste and wastewater from the anaerobic digester.
9. The apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the inlet is disposed in a circumferential edge of the anaerobic digester.
10. The apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the inlet is configured at an angle in a range of 250 to 75" with respect to the circumferential edge of the anaerobic digester. N:\Perth\Cases\Patert\62000-62999\62752AU1\Specis\Speci P62752.AU.1.doc 29/04/2008 00 21 00
11. The apparatus according to claim 9 or 10, wherein a plurality of sumps is disposed at the circumferential edge of the anaerobic digester at regular intervals in a base thereof. O 12. The apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the base 00 of the anaerobic digester has an inverted conical profile 00 such that the depth of the anaerobic digester is greater at its circumferential edge than at its centre.
13. The apparatus according to any one of claims 8 to 12, wherein the support media for supporting anaerobic micro- organisms in the anaerobic digester comprises a plurality of flexible members, each flexible member having a fixed end and a free end.
14. The apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the flexible members comprises elongate strips, the free ends thereof being capable of undulating in the circumferential flow of animal waste and wastewater in the anaerobic digester. The apparatus according to claim 13 or claim 14, wherein respective fixed ends of the flexible members are fixed to the base of the anaerobic digester and the free ends of the flexible members are allowed to float substantially upwards through the contents of the anaerobic digester.
16. The apparatus according to claim 13 or claim 14, wherein respective fixed ends of the flexible members are provided with weights or anchors and the free ends of the N:\Perth\Cases\Patent\62000-62999\P62752.AU.l\Specis\Speci P62752.AU.l.doc 29/04/2008 I 00
22- 00 flexible members are allowed to float substantially Supwards through the contents of the anaerobic digester. 17. The apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the weights or anchors are positioned at regular intervals on the base of the anaerobic digester so that the support O media is substantially regularly distributed throughout 00 the anaerobic digester. 00 18. The apparatus according to claim 13 or claim 14, wherein respective fixed ends of the flexible members are provided with floats configured to dispose the fixed ends of the flexible members at, or proximal to, the surface of the contents of the anaerobic digester, whereby the free ends of the flexible members float substantially downwards through the contents of the anaerobic digester. 19. The apparatus according to claim 18, wherein the floats are positioned at regular intervals on the surface of the contents of the anaerobic digester so that the support media is substantially regularly distributed throughout the anaerobic digester. The apparatus according to any one of claims 8 to 14, wherein the anaerobic digester is provided with a frame adapted to correspond with the shape and size of the anaerobic digester. 21. The apparatus according to claim 20, wherein the frame is substantially cylindrical having a lower circular member and an upper circular member longitudinally aligned therewith and interconnected by a plurality of regularly spaced vertical members, wherein each of the circular N:\Perth\Cases\Patent\62000-62999\P62752.AU.1\Specis\Speci P62752.AU.l.doc 29/04/2008 00 23 members are provided with a respective plurality of radial members. S22. The apparatus according to claim 21, wherein a plurality of flexible members is fixed at regular h intervals to the vertical members at respective fixed ends OO thereof. 00 (N 00 23. The apparatus according to any one of claims 8 to 22, S 1 0 wherein the anaerobic digester comprises a lagoon and a cover substantially extending over the lagoon.
24. The apparatus according to claim 23, wherein the cover is configured to be spaced apart from a surface of the animal waste and wastewater contained in the lagoon at a sufficient distance to ensure a free flow of biogas. The apparatus according to claim 23 or claim 24, wherein the cover has a rim disposed proximal to the circumferential edge of the lagoon.
26. The apparatus according to claim 25, wherein the rim of the cover is provided with an anchoring means to provide a seal between the rim and the lagoon.
27. The apparatus according to claim 26, wherein the seal is provided between the rim and a base of the lagoon.
28. The apparatus according to any one of claims 8 to 27, wherein the apparatus further comprises a heater.
29. The apparatus according to claim 28, wherein the heater is arranged to heat the animal waste and waste water N:\Perth\Cases\Patent\62000-62999\P62752.AU.1\Specia\Speci P62752.AU.1.doc 29/04/2008 00 24 0 in the anaerobic digester to a temperature in a range of Sto 140 degrees Fahrenheit. The apparatus according claim 28 or claim 29, wherein the heater comprises one or more inlets arranged to h introduce heated water into the anaerobic digester. 00 S31. The apparatus according to any one of claim 28 to 00 claim 30, wherein the frame is adapted to deliver heated water through a series of perforations therein into the anaerobic digester.
32. The apparatus according to claim 28 or claim 29, wherein the heater comprises an immersion heater.
33. The apparatus according to any one of claims 8 to 32, wherein the outlet for collecting biogas comprises a conduit optionally connected to a vacuum pump to separate the biogas from the anaerobic digester.
34. The apparatus according to any one of claims 8 to 33, wherein the discharge outlet for discharging treated animal waste and wastewater comprises an overflow screen directed to a tangential flow separator. A system for treating animal waste and wastewater comprising: a source of animal waste and wastewater; an anaerobic digester as defined in any one of claims 8 to 34; and a means to transfer the animal waste and wastewater from the source of said animal waste and wastewater to the inlet of the anaerobic digester. N:\Perth\Cases\Patent\62000-62999\P62752.AU.1\Specis\Speci P62752.AU.l.doc 29/04/2008 00 25
36. An apparatus for treating animal waste and wastewater substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to accompanying Figures 1 to 3. 00 00 N:\Perth\Cases\Patent\62000-62999\P62752.AU.1\Specis\Speci P62752.AU.I.doc 2 9/04/2008
AU2008201899A 2007-05-08 2008-04-30 Process, apparatus and system for treatment of animal waste and wastewater Abandoned AU2008201899A1 (en)

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AU2007902455 2007-05-08
AU2007902455A AU2007902455A0 (en) 2007-05-08 Process, apparatus and system for treatment of animal waste and wastewater
AU2008201899A AU2008201899A1 (en) 2007-05-08 2008-04-30 Process, apparatus and system for treatment of animal waste and wastewater

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Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2016020049A1 (en) * 2014-08-04 2016-02-11 Willeit, Jan Liquid substrate tank for a biogas plant

Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2016020049A1 (en) * 2014-08-04 2016-02-11 Willeit, Jan Liquid substrate tank for a biogas plant
JP2017522910A (en) * 2014-08-04 2017-08-17 ニーデルバッチャー、マイケル Liquid culture vessel for biogas plant
US10844340B2 (en) 2014-08-04 2020-11-24 Bts Biogas Srl/Gmbh Liquid substrate tank for a biogas plant
EP3750981A1 (en) * 2014-08-04 2020-12-16 BTS Biogas Srl/GmbH Liquid substrate tank for a biogas plant

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