G'day All!<br>
<br>
The waste vegetable oil we collect from the restaurants has up about
10-12% water and food waste in it. We heat the oil up to 65oC and then
drop this 'soup' out from the bottom. We want to utilize this waste
about 1,5-2,0 tonnes per month as a feedstock for biogas production. We
also end up with about 500kg of rancid fats/oils that we can't use for
biodiesel production.<br>
<br>
I understand that both the soup and the rancid fats should be able to
give me lots of gas but don't know how to calculate the needed reactor
volume. I'm also concerned that the fat will float at the top of the
reactor and cause problems. Could anyone give some reactor design
tips for these feedstocks? <br>
<br>
Also is it possible to produce a digestate that can be used as animal feed or feed supplement? from this waste? from restaurant food waste in general? We have long winters and I don't want to have to store the digestate as fertilizers for many months if I can produce a product local pig farmers can use. It has been suggested that I should make batch type reactors so as to be sure that all the organics have been digested before 'packaging' or storing it. Are pathogens likely to be a problem? Should I consider thermophilic temperatures? I've read that heating such waste to 70oC for 1 hour is the industry standard.<br>
<br>What other problems can I expect to encounter. <br>
<br>Any input would be appreciated.<br>Many blessings,<br>Wayne<br>