Technology development of a low cost small scale biogas reactor and CHP technology for decentralised use based on agricultural waste

There is a pressing need for the development of low-cost, highly efficient biogas reactor technology which can be used in decentralised/rural areas for the production of renewable energy. Waste-to-energy technologies such as anaerobic digestion and subseq uent production of biogas combined with combined heat and power generators are very promising technologies for utilisation of animal manure, and other farm and food wastes which are available at the regional scale.Due to the significant greenhouse gas emi ssions savings potential this type of technology has a low impact on the environment. Decentralised biogas and CHP solutions contribute to sustainable development in rural areas and increase the security of supply of renewable energy. Additionally the dig estate from the biogas reactor is a high quality fertilizer and is avidly used by famers thus contributing to resource efficient farming.The purpose of this project is to address a number of issues that hinder the advancement of this technology from techn ology readiness (TRL) 3-4 to TRL 5-6. These issues will be addressed in various work packages and include: optimization of waste substrate, management of post-fermentation digestate, Closed loop CO2 processes, desulphurisation, microbial dymanics, process modelling and control, Life Cycle Assessment and cost engineering.