Digestate, is a valuable byproduct of anaerobic digestion, a biological process in which microorganisms break down organic material in the absence of oxygen. This often overlooked byproduct offers numerous potential benefits for agriculture and waste management. In this article, we will explore what digestate is, its applications, and how Smallops can help you maximize its benefits.
What is digestate?
Digestate is the material remaining after the anaerobic digestion process, in which organic waste is broken down to produce biogas. You can consult all your questions about digested here.
Anaerobic digestion process
Residue recolection
The first step in digestate production is the collection of organic waste, which can include animal manure, agricultural waste, food waste, and wastewater, among others. These materials are collected and prepared for introduction into the anaerobic digester.
Anaerobic digestion
Inside the anaerobic digester, microorganisms decompose organic waste in the absence of oxygen. This process has several stages: hydrolysis, acidogenesis, acetogenesis and methanogenesis, culminating in the production of biogas and digestate.
Collection of digestate
The digestate is collected as a by-product of the anaerobic digestion process. This material can be used directly, always depending on its characteristics, quality and depending on the substrates used in biogas production, or further processed to improve its quality as a fertilizer.
Composition of digestate:
The composition of digestate varies depending on the raw material used. However, in general, it contains:
- Organic matter: Mainly fiber, cellulose and lignin that were not completely degraded during anaerobic digestion.
- Minerals: Nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium and other elements essential for plant growth.
- Micronutrients: Iron, zinc, copper and other elements that are important for soil and crop health.
Digestate applications
Organic fertilizer
One of the most common applications of digestate is its use as an organic fertilizer. Rich in essential nutrients, digestate can improve soil health and increase crop yields. Additionally, unlike chemical fertilizers, digestate is a more sustainable and environmentally friendly solution.
Soil amendment
Digestate can also be used as a soil amendment to improve soil structure and water holding capacity. This is especially useful on sandy or degraded soils, where the digestate can help restore fertility and productivity.
Biogas production
The digestate can be used in further processes to extract even more biogas. This is achieved by optimizing digester conditions and adding co-substrates that enhance biogas production.
Composting
The digestate can be mixed with other organic materials to produce compost. Compost is a nutrient-rich organic fertilizer that improves soil quality and promotes plant growth.
Benefits of digestate
Environmental sustainability
Using digestate as a fertilizer and soil amendment reduces the need for chemical fertilizers, thereby decreasing the carbon footprint of agriculture. In addition, by recycling organic waste, the amount of waste ending up in landfills is reduced.
Circular economy
The use of digestate in agriculture is a perfect example of a circular economy. Organic waste is transformed into valuable resources, closing the nutrient cycle and promoting more sustainable agricultural practices.
Reducing greenhouse gas emissions
Using digestate can help reduce greenhouse gas emissions. By applying digestate instead of chemical fertilizers, the release of nitrogen oxides, a potent greenhouse gas, is avoided.
Smallops services to optimize the use of digestate or treat digestate
Smallops offers a range of services designed to help you maximise the benefits of digestate in your biogas operation.
Technical and personalized advice
Our experts provide technical and customized advice on digestate management. We work with you to design and optimize processes that maximize digestate quality and benefits.
Implementation of green technologies
We implement green and environmentally friendly technologies for the treatment of digestate, turning it into certifiable fertilizer. This not only improves the sustainability of your operation, but can also generate additional income.
Composition analysis of digestate
We carry out exhaustive studies and analyses of the digestate to determine its composition and design technical solutions to prevent it from being considered waste. This includes optimising digestion processes to maximise biogas production and digestate quality.
Laboratory level tests
We design and carry out laboratory tests to find the optimal solution for each plant. These tests help to identify the best conditions and additives to maximize biogas production and digestate quality.
Industrial process design
We offer advice and industrial design of the process to implement solutions with the lowest possible cost in the plant. The investment in Smallops technologies is minimal and can be amortized in 1-2 years through the sale of the treated digestate.
Continuous monitoring
We provide continuous monitoring of the treated digestate and the implemented post-treatment to prevent and solve problems, thus ensuring the efficiency and effectiveness of the biogas production system.
The digestate, a key ally
Digestate, a byproduct of anaerobic digestion, offers numerous potential benefits for agriculture and waste management. Its use as a fertilizer and soil amendment not only improves soil health and crop productivity, but also promotes more sustainable farming practices and reduces carbon footprint. At Smallops, we are committed to helping you maximize the benefits of digestate through innovative and efficient solutions. Contact us to find out how we can help you implement these solutions in your biogas operation.
