Anaerobic Digestion Training

Lesson 1 • Introduction to Methanisation

Defines methanisation, its role in organic waste valorisation, and its place in the circular economy. Establishes the conceptual framework for all subsequent technical content.

Lesson 2 • Biochemical Reaction Pathways

Explains the sequential biochemical stages converting complex organics into biogas. Provides the chemical basis for understanding process control decisions.

Lesson 3 • Feedstock Characterisation Basics

Introduces organic matter composition metrics used to evaluate feedstock suitability. Prepares students to assess substrate quality before digester loading.

Lesson 4 • Key Process Parameters

Identifies temperature, pH, alkalinity, and nutrient ratios as critical control variables. Connects parameter ranges to stable digester operation.

Lesson 1 • Co-digestion Strategy and Mixing

Explains how blending multiple feedstocks improves nutrient balance and biogas yield. Guides students in designing co-digestion recipes using mass-balance calculations.

Lesson 2 • Categories of Organic Feedstocks

Surveys agricultural, municipal, industrial, and energy-crop feedstocks by composition and availability. Establishes a classification framework for feedstock sourcing decisions.

Lesson 3 • Pre-treatment Technologies

Examines mechanical, thermal, chemical, and biological pre-treatment methods that enhance substrate digestibility. Links pre-treatment choice to energy balance and cost trade-offs.

Lesson 4 • Feedstock Quality Assessment

Covers laboratory and field methods for measuring organic content, moisture, and inhibitor levels. Enables accurate prediction of biogas yield before plant loading.

Lesson 1 • Hydraulic and Organic Loading

Defines hydraulic retention time and organic loading rate as primary sizing parameters. Demonstrates how loading decisions affect biogas output and process stability.

Lesson 2 • Digester Sizing and Scale-up

Applies mass-balance and energy-balance methods to size digesters from pilot to full scale. Addresses scale-up challenges including mixing uniformity and heat distribution.

Lesson 3 • Mixing and Agitation Systems

Reviews mechanical, hydraulic, and gas-recirculation mixing technologies and their energy demands. Connects adequate mixing to uniform temperature and substrate distribution.

Lesson 4 • Digester Configuration Types

Compares continuously stirred tank, plug-flow, fixed-dome, and floating-drum reactor designs. Matches each configuration to feedstock type and operational context.

Lesson 1 • Biogas Measurement and Monitoring

Introduces flow meters, gas analysers, and data-logging systems for continuous biogas quality tracking. Links measurement accuracy to process control and regulatory compliance.

Lesson 2 • CO2 Removal and Biomethane Production

Compares pressure swing adsorption, water scrubbing, membrane separation, and amine scrubbing for CO2 removal. Evaluates each technology by methane recovery rate and energy consumption.

Lesson 3 • Gas Collection Infrastructure

Covers gas-tight covers, piping materials, pressure management, and condensate removal systems. Ensures safe and efficient transport of biogas from digester to end use.

Lesson 4 • Biogas Composition and Properties

Characterises methane, CO2, H2S, water vapour, and trace compounds in raw biogas. Establishes quality benchmarks that drive upgrading technology selection.

Lesson 1 • Digestate Regulatory Compliance

Explains quality certification schemes, record-keeping obligations, and land-application restrictions for digestate. Ensures students can navigate compliance requirements in their operational context.

Lesson 2 • Digestate Treatment and Stabilisation

Covers composting, stripping, evaporation, and drying processes that reduce volume and improve storability. Prepares students to select treatment trains based on end-use requirements.

Lesson 3 • Solid-Liquid Separation

Reviews centrifuge, screw-press, and belt-filter technologies for separating digestate into fibre and liquid fractions. Enables targeted nutrient management and transport cost reduction.

Lesson 4 • Digestate Composition and Quality

Analyses nutrient content, organic matter, pathogens, and heavy metals in liquid and solid digestate fractions. Establishes quality criteria for safe agricultural application.

Lesson 1 • Process Upset Diagnosis and Response

Identifies symptoms of acidification, foaming, scum formation, and inhibition, and prescribes corrective actions. Builds diagnostic reasoning skills for rapid process recovery.

Lesson 2 • Automation and SCADA Systems

Introduces programmable logic controllers, sensor networks, and SCADA dashboards for automated plant control. Connects automation capabilities to reduced labour demand and improved consistency.

Lesson 3 • Routine Monitoring and Sampling

Establishes daily, weekly, and monthly monitoring routines for biogas yield, pH, VFA, and alkalinity. Provides the data foundation for informed process control decisions.

Lesson 4 • Shutdown and Restart Protocols

Covers planned and emergency shutdown procedures, digester preservation during downtime, and safe restart sequences. Minimises microbial community disruption and equipment damage.

Lesson 1 • Emerging Energy Carriers from Biogas

Introduces power-to-gas, hydrogen production, and synthetic natural gas pathways using biogas as feedstock. Positions students to evaluate next-generation energy valorisation options.

Lesson 2 • Biomethane Grid Injection

Covers gas quality requirements, compression, odorisation, and metering for injecting biomethane into gas distribution networks. Links upgrading quality to grid operator acceptance criteria.

Lesson 3 • Plant Energy Self-Sufficiency

Calculates parasitic energy loads from pumps, mixers, and heating systems and identifies efficiency improvement measures. Maximises net energy export as a key economic performance indicator.

Lesson 4 • Combined Heat and Power Generation

Examines gas engine, gas turbine, and Stirling engine CHP units for simultaneous electricity and heat production. Quantifies electrical and thermal efficiency for plant energy balance calculations.

Lesson 1 • Capital and Operating Cost Estimation

Breaks down civil, mechanical, electrical, and commissioning capital costs and recurring operating expenses. Enables accurate financial modelling for investor and lender presentations.

Lesson 2 • Financial Modelling and Investment Metrics

Applies net present value, internal rate of return, and payback period calculations to methanisation projects. Trains students to perform sensitivity analysis on key financial assumptions.

Lesson 3 • Feasibility Study Framework

Structures the technical, environmental, and market components of a methanisation feasibility study. Provides a replicable methodology for evaluating project viability before investment.

Lesson 4 • Revenue Streams and Incentive Schemes

Identifies electricity tariffs, biomethane certificates, gate fees, and digestate sales as revenue sources. Explains how support mechanisms affect project bankability and return on investment.