Expected results

In anaerobic digestion plants, the produced amount of liquid digestate constitute 90-93% of the initially utilized raw materials and is a challenging matrix of management and utilization. The possibility of using the liquid digestate in other applications will contribute to the time relief of its usual treatment. In addition, it will contribute to extenuete the management of large volumes of liquid that need storage while the environmental benefits of the combination of processes (anaerobic digestion-biorefinery) are maximized.

The proof of compliance of digestate with the microbiological criteria of Regulation 142/2011 together with the absence of a validated sanitization method, an alternative to pasteurization, are obstacles for biogas businesses.

Qlab’s strategic goal is to expand the services it provides to its existing customers (biogas plants) by providing them with sanitation technology. The services Qlab already provides are focused on the field of chemical analyses and legislation pathogen monitoring. With its participation in photoSAN, Qlab will develop the appropriate know-how to expand its services provided as well as its clientele. Qlab will pioneer the development of a purification reactor using photocatalytic membranes and will be able to patent and commercialize it. Furthermore, Qlab will be able to maintain and strengthen the jobs associated with highly educated and scientifically specialized personnel for whom there will be a prospect of permanent employment.

Biogas Lagada A.E. with its participation in photoSAN, will pilot develop the photocatalytic membrane reactor and, depending on the results, will integrate it into its unit. This is expected to give Biogas Lagada financial advantages. Firstly, it has an economic benefit from minimizing the use of the pasteurization unit (thermal energy) which is energetically and economically unprofitable and secondly it has rights to commercialize the new technology. Sanitized operating conditions will help stabilize the anaerobic digestion process. This fact will improve a number of operational parameters and the general operation of the unit, thus reducing the risks arising from the use of seasonal feeds.