Umwelt- und Ingenieurtechnik GmbH Dresden (UIT) Supplied CIMICO, Spain with a Scientific Laboratory Fermentation Plant for Biogas Research Applications

By Umwelt- und Ingenieurtechnik GmbH Dresden (UIT)

For more than 20 years, UIT has provided standardized biogas and bioreactor plants and modular and flexible pilot plants for applied research and development. Our plants are designed to provide customized solutions for specific requirements and allow the simulation and analysis of complex biogas processes. 

UIT’s anaerobic digester plants test new technologies, improve process understanding and optimize biogas processes. Flexible configurations for a wide range of requirements are guaranteed. Stirred tank reactors (CSTRs) in various sizes form the basis of the plant and, together with a data information system, provide essential findings for simulating continuous anaerobic fermentation tests. 

Cimico, Donostia-San Sebastian, Spain, is a company specializing in innovative technologies for wastewater treatment. One of their research lines is based on moving bed anaerobic water treatment, for which they needed a continuously stirred anaerobic reactor with their own designed MOBED® medium. This development will enable  CIMICO to obtain biogas from industrial effluents using a simple, robust technology.  The results will allow the Filmath® software to predict the behaviour of anaerobic MBBR reactors. 

UIT manufactured this anaerobic laboratory digester, BTP2, and adapted it to local requirements. The system was, therefore, split and installed in two independent racks, which allowed them to be set up next to each other in the lab.

The BTP2 consists of a 15-litre glass reactor with a PVC lid and base, heated vía a temperature-controlled silicone mat on the container wall. This reactor has three effluent exits at different heights, so the working volume could vary during the planned experiments (5–10–15 L). An agitator with special stirring tools mixes the substrate with the MOBED® media, while a drum gas meter measures the amount of biogas produced. 

The universal automation system SENSOcontrol records data and controls system components such as pumps and agitators. An intuitive touch panel is integrated for user-friendly parameterization and real-time visualization of the measurement data. 

Should you be looking for a similar solution, please contact us. Our biogas and bioreactor plants are frequently used by research institutes, universities and companies that want to test different substrates and process parameters. The flexible plant dimensions up to 1,000 L enable experiments from the laboratory to the pilot and container scale. 

MOBED® shown is the media designed by CIMICO for its moving bed technologies. It allows the removal of high concentrations of organic matter, ammonia, and phosphorus in municipal and industrial wastewater treatment plants. It stands out for its high specific surface area and optimal hydraulic performance.