INTERNATIONAL CLEANER PRODUCTION INFORMATION CLEARINGHOUSE

CASE STUDY # 118

1. Headline: A new digester technology that produces methane

gas applied to the processing of food and paper related

materials.

2. Background: See below.

3. Cleaner Production Principle: New technology

4. Description of Cleaner Production Application: The

CSM-Biothane U.A.S.B. process for anaerobic wastewater

treatment treats organic wastewater generated during

processing of food and paper related materials. This new

technology consists of a digester where settling occurs

under anaerobic conditions. Methane gas is produced as a

by-product and can be used as energy for input to the

production process.

Material/Energy Balance and Substitution

FEEDSTOCKS: Organic wastewater sludge

WASTES: Anaerobic wastewater sludge

consisting of 2 to 20% carbon compounds,

all nitrogen as ammonia

MEDIUM: Organic wastewater sludge

5. Economics

CAPITAL COST: 125,000 to 250,000 Dutch

guilders

OPERATION/MAINTENANCE: 0 to 500 Dutch guilders (20% of

investment costs)

DISPOSAL & FEEDSTOCK: 375,000 to 1250,000 Dutch guilders

6. Advantages:

FEEDSTOCK REDUCTION: 25 to 50% reduction in need for

additional nutrients (P and N)

WASTE PRODUCTION: Reduces production of surplus sludge by

80 to 90%

IMPACT: The CSM-Biothane process for anaerobic wastewater

treatment reduces the quantity of sludge generated by 80%

to 90% and also produces methane gas which can be used as

a substitute for energy in a production process.

7. Constraints: No information provided

8. Contacts and Citation:

Compendium on Low and Non-waste Technology, United Nations

Economic and Social Counsel, "CSM-Biothane UASB Process

for Anaerobic Waste Water Treatment", Monograph

ENV/WP.2/5/Add75.

9. Keywords: the Netherlands, food processing, pulp and

paper, new technology, methane, biotechnology, digester,

by-product, ISIC 3100, ISIC 3400.

10. Reviewers Comments: This case study was originally

abstracted for the US EPA Pollution Prevention Information

Clearinghouse. It underwent a UNEP IE funded technical

review in 1994 for quality and completeness. It was edited

for the ICPIC diskette in July 1995.

( DOCNO: 400-086-A-315 )