Solving the problem of plastic contamination in the anaerobic digestion industry

Plastics and oversize contamination can be a major problem within the anaerobic digestion industry, as they contaminate the digestate which is often destined for land disposal as a fertilizer.

In order to attain and maintain the BSI PAS 110 compliance an effective method for removal of oversize solids and plastic materials from the digestate before disposal from site is fast becoming a prerequisite.

To solve this problem a Smicon MAS filter screw press unit on AD digestate will remove most if not all plastics above 500 micron prior to discharge and removal from site.

The digestate sludge at 4 – 6% dry solids by weight could be processed at up to 10 t/hr and the oversize materials and plastics recovered are compacted within the machine and discharged as a “dry” stackable solids suitable for hauling by normal skip / trailer.

The recovered liquid digestate which is then freed from most if not all of the solids and oversize contaminants including plastics is clean enough to meet the BSI PAS 110.

This cleaned digestate material is a rich fertilizer and a valuable soil conditioner.

Recovered oversize solids post AD digestion

A test unit is available from MSE Hiller to confirm the most appropriate screen size for the application and it can be used to clean the up front food waste as well as the digestate post AD treatment.

Screen sizes as tight as 250 micron can be fitted but other screen sizes of 500, 750, 1,000 3,000 micron are also available.

With over 30 installations on AD applications within the UK, MSE Hiller has a vast amount of experience in the treatment of AD Digestates and also offers centrifuge, Membrane bioreactor MBR, Micro filtration MF and Reverse Osmosis RO options for further treatment.

Visit www.mandse.com for more information.

 

 

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