Bioenergie Velen GmbH is investing in a state-of-the-art biogas and RNG plant after taking over the former nutrient processing plant with a biogas section. The Krieg & Fischer engineering team was commissioned to integrate the existing plant components into the newly designed system, based on the customer's preliminary planning. The Velen plant will be extensively modernized and expanded. The plans include: A new filling and fermentation line, a new central pumping station, a wood chip heating system, biogas processing and treatment plant. The slurry processing plant is designed with a capacity of 200,000 t/a and will be able to process a combination of different feedstocks.

At the heart of the new fermentation line are two steel fermenters, each with a net volume of approx. 9,550 m³, a height of approx. 21 m and mounted agitators. These are complemented by two new secondary fermentation tanks with the same volume. In future, flat tanks from the old plant will be used as substrate and fermentation residue storage tanks with gas storage roofs and emission reduction covers. The biogas produced will be collected in a newly constructed external gas storage facility. An expansion with new digestate storage facilities and a further gas storage facility is planned for the future.

The initial input is calculated at approx. 187,500 t/a, resulting in a gas production of around 1,400 Nm³ of biogas per hour. The biogas plant is designed for various expansions, e.g. the retrofitting of a CO₂ liquefaction system. In order to maximize the use of the biogas for biomethane production, the heat for the fermentation process is supplied via a wood chip heating system. The biogas upgrading technology is based on pressure swing adsorption, with RTO heat recovery.

Further details on this project can be found here.

These extensive investments and expansions send a strong signal for the future of Bioenergie Velen GmbH and its role in sustainable energy production.