ALPS ECOSCIENCE LAUNCHES COST PER TONNE PRICING FOR BIOGAS PLANT OPTIMISATION SERVICE

Environmental science provider Alps Ecoscience has launched a new range of Anaerobic Digestion (AD) specific managed services for 2021, including a cost per tonne pricing model for biogas plant optimisation.

Managing Director, Mike Platt said, “The AD industry understands the cost per tonne model, so we have created a managed service that aligns to this. Clients can see Alps inputs and measure the output in CH4 concentration, FOS/TAC and OLR rate. But most importantly they can measure the revenue increase daily on every tonne.”

Alps Ecoscience help enhance AD systems through biological process optimisation. This identifies opportunities throughout the production lifecycle to improve biogas yields and raise capacity by increasing Organic Loading Rates (OLR) and balancing reactor biology.

There are 3 tiers to Alps Ecoscience’s latest service, designed around an AD plants typical lifecycle. They are simply named Stablise, Optimise and Maintain.

The specific of Alps’ S.O.M. programmes vary in scale and duration in accordance with the severity of the digester issue and its performance impairment. Each is individually designed but includes:
• Sampling and substrate classification
• Continuous testing and lab work
• Biology reports and improvement guidelines
• Bio-organic catalysts and substrate pre-treatment programmes
• Nutrient packs, balancing additives and ferric’s.
• Site visits and client support
All Alps Ecoscience’s optimisation programmes share the objective of achieving a stable digester with consistent output of biogas and digestate quality. There is particular focus upon Hydrolysis, which Alps determine to be critical to achieving stability and optimal outcomes. Substrate classification and end to end process mapping are vital from the outset.

Wade McRoberts, Alps Ecoscience Chief Technical Officer says, “performance volatility is a major issue for the AD industry, by focusing upon Hydrolysis we are consistently able to increase the overall rate of decomposition and balance FOS/TAC, resulting in increases to CH4 concentration and new capacity through higher organic loading rates (OLR). We are achieving similar results across many different plant configurations and feed stocks.”

Alps Ecoscience’s new managed services are available on either a time and materials basis or a fixed price cost per tonne (CPT). The cost per tonne model is attracting a lot of interest within the industry as it is innovative, accountable and production related.

Alps Ecoscience say that in the past plant operators have been reluctant to commit to the fixed costs associated with innovations such as Digester Optimisation. However, with cost per tonne pricing the risk is shared and aligned to results. Operators can see the immediate impact of an optimisation programme on daily revenue. Recent results, from gas to grid plants show 5% higher methane concentration and 20%+ higher OLR. Commercially this equates to incremental revenue of over £100,000 pa. Detailed case studies are available, along with reference sites.

From January 2021 Alps Ecoscience is offering, free lab tests; biologists will analyse a sample, benchmark it and highlight available improvements. Alps Ecoscience also offer test reactors for trials, as well as a full-scale containerised pilot plant for remediation projects or new plant feasibility studies. If this is of interest, please get in touch  or email Alan Beesley, Sales and Marketing Director, alan@alpsecoscience.co.uk.

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