Final Report Summary - BIOWELL (Increased renewable energy recovery from biomass by highly efficient disruption process)
The BIOWELL project aimed to obtain increased renewable energy recovery from biomass through a highly efficient disruption process. The goal was achieved via the development of an optimised anaerobic digestion system which increased the biogas output of a plant. An innovative biomass pretreatment method was introduced, using both ultrasound and homogenisers.
The developed prototype was integrated as a singular plant, consisting of all the functional systems, and demonstration tests were performed in order to develop a methodology to assist the adoption of the proposal by end users. In addition, the technology was evaluated and the most efficient pre-treatment process was determined. Software for testing BIOWELL performance was designed, facilitating the plant assembly and enabling complete prototype automation. Moreover, legislative, technical and economic requirements were defined prior to the innovation development.
The project was structured in five work packages (WPs) related to system specifications, laboratory tests, process integration, demonstration tests and exploitation and dissemination activities. The obtained results were of significant importance for various industries, such as food and alcohol, pharmacology and agriculture sectors. Moreover, the generated information was intended to serve as a basis for future research through its utilisation by academia and institutes.
Firstly, the requirements and necessary functionality of the BIOWELL system were identified. Different components' characteristics were also specified, based on the technologies to be investigated. In addition, a simple procedure for assessing the profitability of the alternatives and performing cost and benefit analyses was prepared.
Activities of WP2 included several laboratory tests to determine the most suitable ultrasound and homogeniser technologies. Test protocols were developed, describing the utilised strategies in detail, as a result of literature review and alternatives' evaluation. The necessary laboratory equipment was subsequently selected and implemented. Two different enzymatic systems were chosen for the determination of enzymatic activity under ultrasound impact. Furthermore, the strategy regarding process control was formulated, on the basis of performed experiments and theoretical considerations. Finally, all acquired data was extensively evaluated.
The prototype was then automated and the missing components integrated in order to perform functionality tests as part of the third WP, according to the specifications which were previously defined. The manufacturing and commissioning of the equipment was also completed. The location for the prototype assembly was selected based on the existence of adequate space, the mould gating to power and supply lines, the dry surrounding area as well as on the availability of competent qualified personnel for supervision and servicing. Another criterion was the selected institution favourable location. Numerous functionality tests were successfully performed; nevertheless auxiliary equipment was not completely integrated, so that the prototype tests were manually elaborated. In spite of the lack of automation, the developed pre-treatment system and the process control system were incorporated into a functional biogas plant. Further development, allowing for the optimisation of the technology and the integration of missing parts remained a pending issue which would be completed by the project participants.
Quality assurance and control topics were subsequently certified and the system was put into demonstration trials using the predefined testing performance parameters. The tests were performed in real time industrial conditions and the required corrective measures were identified and applied. The results related to the potential for enhancement of the produced gas yield by homogenisation of biomass were promising, and enabled the identification of several biomass parameters influencing biogas quantities.
The applied dissemination activities aimed to communicate the project outcomes to different targets, including academia and industry. The developed strategy involved presentations, publications, participation in conferences, development and update of a project-related website as well as exploitation of all available electronic media. A plan for BIOWELL sustainability and improvement in the long term was also elaborated, along with a business and commercialisation strategy.
The developed prototype was integrated as a singular plant, consisting of all the functional systems, and demonstration tests were performed in order to develop a methodology to assist the adoption of the proposal by end users. In addition, the technology was evaluated and the most efficient pre-treatment process was determined. Software for testing BIOWELL performance was designed, facilitating the plant assembly and enabling complete prototype automation. Moreover, legislative, technical and economic requirements were defined prior to the innovation development.
The project was structured in five work packages (WPs) related to system specifications, laboratory tests, process integration, demonstration tests and exploitation and dissemination activities. The obtained results were of significant importance for various industries, such as food and alcohol, pharmacology and agriculture sectors. Moreover, the generated information was intended to serve as a basis for future research through its utilisation by academia and institutes.
Firstly, the requirements and necessary functionality of the BIOWELL system were identified. Different components' characteristics were also specified, based on the technologies to be investigated. In addition, a simple procedure for assessing the profitability of the alternatives and performing cost and benefit analyses was prepared.
Activities of WP2 included several laboratory tests to determine the most suitable ultrasound and homogeniser technologies. Test protocols were developed, describing the utilised strategies in detail, as a result of literature review and alternatives' evaluation. The necessary laboratory equipment was subsequently selected and implemented. Two different enzymatic systems were chosen for the determination of enzymatic activity under ultrasound impact. Furthermore, the strategy regarding process control was formulated, on the basis of performed experiments and theoretical considerations. Finally, all acquired data was extensively evaluated.
The prototype was then automated and the missing components integrated in order to perform functionality tests as part of the third WP, according to the specifications which were previously defined. The manufacturing and commissioning of the equipment was also completed. The location for the prototype assembly was selected based on the existence of adequate space, the mould gating to power and supply lines, the dry surrounding area as well as on the availability of competent qualified personnel for supervision and servicing. Another criterion was the selected institution favourable location. Numerous functionality tests were successfully performed; nevertheless auxiliary equipment was not completely integrated, so that the prototype tests were manually elaborated. In spite of the lack of automation, the developed pre-treatment system and the process control system were incorporated into a functional biogas plant. Further development, allowing for the optimisation of the technology and the integration of missing parts remained a pending issue which would be completed by the project participants.
Quality assurance and control topics were subsequently certified and the system was put into demonstration trials using the predefined testing performance parameters. The tests were performed in real time industrial conditions and the required corrective measures were identified and applied. The results related to the potential for enhancement of the produced gas yield by homogenisation of biomass were promising, and enabled the identification of several biomass parameters influencing biogas quantities.
The applied dissemination activities aimed to communicate the project outcomes to different targets, including academia and industry. The developed strategy involved presentations, publications, participation in conferences, development and update of a project-related website as well as exploitation of all available electronic media. A plan for BIOWELL sustainability and improvement in the long term was also elaborated, along with a business and commercialisation strategy.
