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 )