The use of waste to generate renewable energy is one of the bases of sustainable development today. One of the most promising technologies is the production of biogas, a renewable gas obtained from the fermentation of organic matter under anaerobic conditions. This process not only provides clean energy, but also helps reduce the amount of waste generated by the food industry.
An excellent example of this technology is the pilot plant for wastewater treatment and biogas production developed within the framework of the LIFE WOGAnMBR project. This project aims to generate biogas from industrial organic waste, such as that generated by the production of frozen croquettes and chips.
How is biogas generated from food waste?
Biogas is obtained through a process called anaerobic digestion, where microorganisms decompose organic waste in an oxygen-free environment. In the food industry, this waste is abundant and can include everything from food scraps to fats and oils generated during processing.
The pilot plant developed in the WOGAnMBR project uses AnMBR technology (Anaerobic Bio Reactor Membrane), which allows for efficient treatment of wastewater loaded with organic matter. The biogas obtained from this process can be used as a source of energy for the same industrial plants, reducing their dependence on fossil fuels.
Success stories in the food industry
AnMBR technology has been successfully applied in various industries, such as frozen food factory eurofrits, located in Pozuelo de Alarcón (Madrid), and on the ground floor matutano in Burgos. These companies have managed to take advantage of the waste generated in their production processes to generate biogas that they then use for internal consumption in their factories.
In addition to reducing sludge production and generating biogas, this technology also allows for the high quality water filtration, which can be reused for irrigation. In this way, industries not only reduce their consumption of resources, but also decrease the amount of waste they generate.
Another notable case is that of WELTEC Biopower, which has implemented a biogas plant for the French company viola, a manufacturer of potato chips. At this plant, production waste and sludge from potato washing processes are used to generate biomethane, achieving a production of 200 cubic metres of biomethane per hour, equivalent to the energy consumption of a small town.
Technical and economic feasibility
In the case of the Eurofrits and Matutano pilot plants, the technical viability of this type of project has been demonstrated by reaching up to 9.600 liters of biogas per day with a methane quality of 75%. In addition, the adaptability AnMBR technology allows its implementation in different sectors of the food industry.
The versatility of the technology is key, as each plant can be adapted depending on the characteristics of the water and the organic load of the waste generated. In this way, any food industry that produces organic waste can benefit from this technology, optimizing the consumption of raw materials and minimizing the generation of waste.
Companies like Cavendish Farms, a potato processor in Canada, has also shown that recycling waste can have a significant impact on reducing greenhouse gas emissions. By implementing a biogas plant, the company has reduced its dependence on fossil fuels by 30% and reduced emissions by 35.000 tons per year.
Other environmental benefits
The use of biogas not only has energy advantages, but also contributes to the circular economy by closing the production and consumption cycle in a more efficient and sustainable way. For example, solid waste resulting from the anaerobic digestion process can be used as allowance high quality for agriculture, returning nutrients to the soil.
In addition, reducing the amount of waste sent to landfills reduces the emission of greenhouse gases such as methane, which contributes to mitigating climate change. Furthermore, as has been demonstrated in previous wastewater treatments, filtered water can be reused in industrial processes, which reduces the water demand of companies.
In short, biogas generation projects from waste such as those of chips y frozen croquettes They are a clear demonstration that the food industry can be more sustainable and self-sufficient, both in terms of energy and the environment. Integrating these types of technologies is a key step towards a more environmentally friendly future.