of experience
Synergy proposes the best technologies in the sector of biogas and biomethane plants.
Synergy offers cutting-edge technology solutions for biogas plants designed to maximize the use of sewage from pig, cattle and poultry farms. Our Team of engineers supports the customer in all stages of plant development, starting from feasibility study, through construction and maintenance.
This technology uses anaerobic bacteria, which will decompose organic matter in the absence of oxygen, producing biogas as the main product.
Inside a special container, known as a fermenter, sewage from pig, cattle and poultry farms flows. In this fermenter, anaerobic digestion, a crucial biological process that transforms organic matter into a renewable energy source, takes place. Through the use of hoppers, it is possible to supplement the input material with biomass derived from agribusiness waste, vegetables and agricultural by-products, such as corn silo, wheat, sorghum.
This diversification of raw materials not only increases the efficiency of the process, but also contributes to greater bioenergy production. The collected organic matter is introduced into the fermenter under anaerobic conditions, that is, in the absence of oxygen and at a controlled temperature. These optimal conditions allow the development of bacterial strains capable of degrading long-chain organic molecules, transforming them into simpler compounds, including methane.
A biogas plant is a system designed to generate biogas by anaerobic digestion of organic materials.
Biogas can be used for electricity and thermal energy production, while digestate serves as a natural fertilizer, rich in nutrients and valuable for agriculture.
Biogas is one of the most common forms of alternative energy. It is a mixture of gases generated through the process of anaerobic digestion and decomposition of organic materials of animal and plant origin, such as livestock manure and related by-products. This is done by mixing the materials and keeping them in an oxygen-free environment at a mesophilic temperature of about 38-42 °C.
Biogas is generated through anaerobic digestion, a biological process in which microorganisms decompose organic matter without oxygen, producing biogas and digestate. The size of the plants can vary according to the customer’s needs.
Thanks to the versatility of the solutions offered, Synergy is able to respond to diverse production needs while promoting sustainable management of organic waste and supporting the transition to a circular economy.
During the anaerobic digestion process, digestate is also generated, a solid and liquid residue that can be used as a natural fertilizer in agriculture, thus completing a sustainable waste management cycle. The use of biogas plants offers several benefits, including the management of organic waste, the production of renewable energy, and the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. It also contributes to the circular economy by enhancing the value of organic materials and reducing dependence on fossil fuels.
The anaerobic digestion plant consists of several operational areas, each with specific functions to ensure efficient conversion of organic materials into biogas.
This is the initial area where organic materials are delivered. At this stage, basic processes of shredding, mixing and separation take place, which are necessary to prepare the substrate for subsequent digestion.
The heart of the plant is the anaerobic digester, a closed tank where digestion of organic matter takes place. Here, microorganisms decompose the material in the absence of oxygen, at controlled temperatures, producing biogas.
Made of stainless steel, the mixers should make the mixture of the various substrates introduced into the digester as homogeneous as possible, preventing the formation of surface crusts and sediment.
Dedicated heating systems are implemented to maintain the optimal temperature in the digester, which can range between 35 and 55 degrees Celsius depending on the type of process (mesophilic or thermophilic).
During the digestion process, the biogas produced is retained inside the digester by means of a cover system, which allows the generated gas to be effectively stored.
The upgrading system allows the separation of CH4 molecules from CO2 molecules. The goal is both to generate biomethane for injection into the grid or transportation via cylinder trucks, and to produce CO2 for recovery and use in food industries. The CO2 can also be dissipated into the atmosphere.
The purified biogas is sent to a generator that converts it into electrical and thermal energy, using internal combustion engines, a generator, and heat exchangers to take advantage of the heat resulting from the combustion process.
At the end of the digestion process, a solid or liquid residue, known as digestate, remains. This can be used as a fertilizer or fed back into the process itself to optimize the production cycle.
Specific technologies are used to treat hydrogen sulfide (H2S) in biogas, using both biological and chemical approaches to ensure plant safety and efficiency, reducing H2S values and meeting the parameters required by the co-generator or upgrading plant. Methods used may be oxygen dosing in fermenters, activated carbon or scrubbing towers.
Finally, there is a monitoring and control system consisting of dedicated sensors and software. This system allows monitoring of plant operating parameters, such as temperature, pH, and biogas production, thus optimizing overall performance.
Biogas is a renewable fuel derived from the anaerobic fermentation of organic material. It is characterized by high calorific value and versatility. This gaseous mixture is composed of 50-70% methane, and with the rest consisting of carbon dioxide and other components. After dehumidification treatment, the biogas can be used in different ways.
To optimize the use of biogas, it is essential to carefully manage the input materials and keep the anaerobic digestion plant in excellent condition by monitoring parameters such as temperature, pH and proportion of materials. The UN has also highlighted the benefits of biogas in combating air pollution and the greenhouse effect, as it helps to decrease methane emissions and supports the production of clean, renewable energy. This approach promotes a more sustainable system, in line with the principles of the green economy.
Biogas plants are an effective solution for sustainable energy generation and waste management, promoting positive economic and environmental progress. Among the many benefits of a biogas plant, we can highlight:
- Renewable energy production: biogas is a clean, renewable energy source that can be used to generate electricity and heat, reducing dependence on fossil fuels.
- Waste management: biogas plants can process a wide range of organic materials, including agricultural waste, manure, food waste and plant residues, contributing to sustainable waste management.
- Reduction of greenhouse gas emissions: anaerobic digestion reduces methane emissions compared to aerobic decomposition of waste, thus limiting environmental impact.
- Fertilizer production: digestate, a residue from anaerobic digestion, is a nutrient-rich fertilizer that can be used in agriculture to improve soil quality.
- Economic sustainability: biogas plants can generate income through the sale of energy and fertilizer, as well as contribute to the local circular economy.
- Versatility: biogas can be used for a variety of purposes, including electricity generation, heating, biomethane production (which can be fed into the gas grid or used as vehicle fuel) and powering industrial plants.
- Resource conservation: using organic materials to produce energy helps to conserve natural resources and promote sustainable agricultural practices.
Gli impianti di biogas alimentati a FORSU (Frazie Organica Rifiuto Solido Urbano) sono strutture progettate per produrre biogas attraverso il processo di digestione anaerobica di rifiuti organici. La FORSU è la frazione organica dei rifiuti solidi urbani, composta principalmente da scarti alimentari, tra cui frutta, verdura, avanzi di cibo e altri materiali biodegradabili.
Synergy produce impianti di biogas e biometano completamente alimentati con FORSU, utilizzando le tecnologie più avanzate. In particolare, ci sono due componenti distintive degli impianti a FORSU rispetto a quelli alimentati da reflui e sottoprodotti:
- La sezione di pretrattamento dei rifiuti, in cui i materiali vengono depurati dalle impurità e tritati prima di essere inviati alla digestione anaerobica.
- La sezione a valle dell'impianto di biogas-biometano, dove il digestato viene trasformato in ammendante attraverso un processo di compostaggio.
Gli impianti di Synergy possono separare il metano dagli altri gas presenti nel biogas, in particolare dall’anidride carbonica (CO2), attraverso un processo di upgrading.
This separation allows for a variety of applications. In summary, biogas plants fueled by OFMSW are an effective solution for turning organic waste into renewable energy, while contributing to waste reduction and environmental sustainability.
Un impianto di biogas alimentato a pollina è una struttura progettata per generare biogas tramite la digestione anaerobica della pollina, che deriva dagli escrementi di galline ovaiole, polli da ingrasso e tacchini.
L’alto contenuto di azoto presente nella pollina tende a ostacolare i processi anaerobici, limitando il suo utilizzo negli impianti di biogas a un massimo del 20-25% nella composizione del substrato alimentare dei fermentatori. Synergy, grazie all’esperienza maturata nell’utilizzo dei reflui zootecnici nei propri impianti di biogas, ha creato un sistema meccanico per il trattamento della pollina prima della sua immissione nel processo di fermentazione. Questo è accompagnato da un sistema di monitoraggio e gestione biologica. Queste innovazioni consentono di alimentare l’impianto di biogas con pollina fino al 50%.
