High-performance ultrasonic technology for greater efficiency in biogas plants
The Wave-Box is a new development for the high-performance digestion of fibrous substrates. By means of a reversible pump, fermenter substrate or fermentation residue is continuously brought into the effective range of ultrasound-generating ‘sonotrodes’ by means of intelligent pipework. The flow rate, pressure, rinsing cycles etc. can be variably adjusted in the control unit. The Wave-Box is operated in bypass mode and can easily be retrofitted to existing biogas plants.
+50%
Efficiency control
Significant increase in the possible room load by up to 50%
Increase in pump performance by more than 60% through viscosity improvement
Ecological relief through around 18% less CH4 equivalent
Reduction of the required hydraulic retention time due to accelerated decomposition of the organics
No foaming due to the lasting destruction of the relevant microorganisms by high-power ultrasound.
Ultrasound is sound above higher frequencies, i.e. 20 kHz up to the megahertz range. In aqueous media, ultrasonic waves cause periodic compression (pressure) and expansion (tension, negative pressure) of the sonicated medium. High-intensity ultrasound causes the water phase to rupture in the negative pressure phase, which leads to the formation of microscopic cavities in the liquid.
These bubbles fill with water vapour or gas. They grow in tension phases and shrink in compression phases until they implode. This phenomenon is known as bubble implosion or cavitation. On a micro scale, pressures of 500 bar are generated. These forces generated by ultrasound are capable of destroying any surface, no matter how robust.
The Wave-Box is a patented high-performance ultrasonic system that is optimised for the disintegration of biomass. Ultrasonic reactors work in the Wave-Box as a continuous flow system with high intensity and amplitude in the lower frequency range (20 and 35 kHz).
When biomass enters the effective range of the sound waves, organic agglomerates are initially broken down and the total surface area of the biomass suspension is increased. Further sonication opens plant and bacterial cells.
This causes fibres to tear and cell contents to escape. Enzymes, nutrients and micronutrients are released and additional substrates become available. The sonicated biomass is therefore not only an excellent substrate for active microorganisms, but also supports the entire decomposition process through enzyme and proximity effects.
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