BBK SPEARHEADS EU PROJECT FOR ODOURLESS BIOGAS PLANT
IoT platform for biogas plants opens for more expansion
Biogas technology has enormous potential in Denmark and globally, as it provides green energy and nutrient recycling. Unfortunately, the plants often give off offensive odours, in particular from the toxic hydrogen sulphide H2S, and this is a major barrier to expansion. Offensive odours from H2S occur at peak times and high concentrations. The high hydrogen sulphide concentrations are lowered in a BBK pre-filter before being led to the biofilter.
BBK is the project owner and has built a biofilter plant together with a test section at the biogas plant in Foulum, Denmark. In collaboration with a number of partners and Aarhus University, we examine and test technologies to reduce H2S levels and streamline pre-purification. The aim is to avoid high concentrations of H2S, so biofilters can function effectively safeguard against offensive odours from biogas plants. An important part of the project is a new IoT-based sensor and control platform for optimising the operation of biogas plants.
In a wider perspective, BBK expects the project to reduce the cost price and operating costs of biofilters, create more efficient biofilters and contribute to optimizing biogas plant operation. For the biogas industry, it solves an environmental problem and opens the way for new markets and increased exports.
Partners: BBK (project owner), Nature Energy, Consibio and Aarhus University
Wastewater treatment plants minimise harmful hydrogen sulphide with BBK
Digital technology optimises cleaning process
and minimises hydrogen sulphide damage
Hydrogen sulphide is dangerous and harmful in wastewater pipes and is often removed using expensive chemicals. Above ground it causes strong odours and is dangerous for personnel, and underground it is harmful to concrete pipes and wastewater plants. Preventing the formation of hydrogen sulphide solves many problems.
In this R&D project, we will minimise the presence of H2S with digital control combined with physical purification and BBK biofilters that are scaled to the smaller pumping stations.
With a single digital platform and IoT-based sensors in a Cloud solution, we can detect major fluctuations with the help of precipice chemistry management, so as not to exceed the capacity of the biofilters.
BBK’s role is to scale down biofilters to smaller sizes and contribute to a plug and play solution that can be utilised in all types of wastewater pumping stations. This also means BBK will have more standard filters to offer customers (at a competitive price).
For the wastewater industry this solves an environmental problem and increases the lifespan of the wastewater plants.
Partners:
Consibio (project owner), BBK, Svendborg Motorværksted, SWECO, FFV Energi & Miljø, Hedensted Spildevand and Vand & Affald Svendborg
Better and cheaper inoculation bacteria for innovative BBK odour filters
DNA technique creates designer bacteria
that are quickly effective on offensive odours
EU requirements for reducing offensive odours in different industries make effective biofilters even more necessary. Biofilters must be inoculated with very specific bacteria that remove the harmful odorants. It can be difficult to find the right bacterial cultures and these can also be expensive to buy and activate in an efficient operation. Solving this issue will strengthen biofilters as a key technology (in the green industry).
BBK is therefore involved in a project to develop a unique propagation technology with major international potential. The project combines the latest knowledge about odour-reducing bacteria with DNA technology. This insight into microbes and odorants in different industries can be used to design inoculated materials for BBKs’ own biofilters. Samples are collected for analysis and comparison with the current bacteria to ensure the right choice of cultures. Then a technology for propagation needs to be developed which can be scaled up for industrial production.
Our ambition is for BBK biofilters to be equipped with their own bacterial cultures targeted at the specific industry in future. This can potentially lead to thousands of European customers and puts BBK in a strong competitive position.
Partners: BBK (project owner) and The Danish Technological Institute