Energy self-supply of large abattoir by sustainable waste utilization based on anaerobic mono-digestion

Markus Ortner, David Wöss, Alexander Schumergruber, Tobias Pröll and Werner Fuchs

Applied Energy, 2015, vol. 143, issue C, 460-471

Abstract: Abattoirs have a large number of energy intensive processes. Beside energy supply, disposal costs of animal by-products (ABP) are the main relevant cost drivers. In this study, successful implementation of a new waste and energy management system based on anaerobic digestion is described. Several limitations and technical challenges regarding the anaerobic digestion of the protein rich waste material had to be overcome. The most significant problems were process imbalances such as foaming and floatation as well as high accumulation of volatile fatty acids and low biogas yields caused by lack of essential microelements, high ammonia concentrations and fluctuation in operation temperature. Ultimately, 85% of the waste accumulated during the slaughter process is converted into 2700MWh thermal and 3200MWh electrical energy in a biogas combined heat and power (CHP) plant. The thermal energy is optimally integrated into the production process by means of a stratified heat buffer. The energy generated by the biogas CHP-plant can cover a significant share of the energy requirement of the abattoir corresponding to 50% of heat and 60% of electric demand, respectively. In terms of annual cost for energy supply and waste disposal a reduction of 63% from 1.4Mio€ to about 0.5Mio€ could be achieved with the new system. The payback period of the whole investment is approximately 9years. Beside the economic benefits also the positive environmental impact should be highlighted: a 79% reduction of greenhouse gas emissions from 4.5Miokg CO2 to 0.9Miokg CO2 annually was achieved. The realized concept received the Austrian Energy Globe Award and represents the first anaerobic mono-digestion process of slaughterhouse waste worldwide.

Keywords: Slaughterhouse waste; Anaerobic mono-digestion; Ammonia inhibition; Trace elements; Heat utilization; Heat storage (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2015
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (6)

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DOI: 10.1016/j.apenergy.2015.01.039

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