ALPS is marketing this technology under the name “SMASH”, an acronym meaning substrate micronisation, assimilation, stabilisation, and hydrolysis. Which refers to ALPS patented biological engineering protocol which is integral to the technology.

The foundation of all SMASH deployments is a patented process using micronisation and catalysis to extract more gas from cellulosic material which normally remains undigested in the AD process. Accessing this material enables clients to significantly increase biogas quality and yield, use less feedstock or change diet to a cheaper mix. The primary module has universal application in most existing biogas plants.

SMASH is a plug and play technology which avoids high installation costs and doesn’t require planning permission. Solutions feature containerised modules that have a small footprint for ease of integration to existing plants. Modules can also be deployed individually for incremental gains. The foundation of all SMASH deployments is module 1, a patented process using micronisation and catalysis to extract more gas from cellulosic material which normally remains undigested in the AD process.

SMASH increases conversion efficiency and widens the portfolio of feedstocks to improve the ROI on new or existing biogas plant assets. Enabling operators to generate more biogas and hydrogen from the same volume of feedstock where capacity allows or to maintain current output whilst reducing feedstock.

• Increases the total amount of material available for digestion.
• Optimises biology to symbolic transition.
• Maintains process cadence by removing inhibitory compounds.
• Accelerates the reaction time.
• Improves stability…

Advanced modules can be added to remove ammonia and recover N,P,K from digestate if commercial or environmental considerations dictate.

• Biomethane production increase of over 30%
• Feedstock reduction 10%
• Liquid digestate reduction 10%
• Reduction in propane injection

• Lower tonnage of Solid digestate
• Reduced viscosity in the digester
• Lower energy consumption for mixing
• Less wear and tear on plant rotating machinery.
• Less laboratory testing costs
• Lower fugitive ammonia emission

AD is a manufacturing process to produce methane, CO2, and hydrogen. The amount and quality of gas is dependent upon the infrastructure, feedstock and the environmental conditions experienced during the decomposition process. AD is a four-stage biological process, where the preceding step influences the outcome of the subsequent one. In the same way as in a 4x100m relay or a triathlon, transitions affect the result.

SMASH targets the individual stages, preparing the feedstock and managing the digestion environment to ensure optimal biological transitions that maximise gas creation. Ensuring that each new stage delivers incremental value to the next, to provide biological cadence and minimise process inhibition. The result is more complete digestion, improved digester stability and greater output.

SMASH is a patented combination of mechanical, physical, biological, and chemical protocols and engineering. SMASH modules provide greater process control, progressively preparing, manipulating, and influencing the AD process to provide the optimal conditions for the maximum production of the desired gas. This combination of feedstock preparation, microbial manipulation and chemical pathway management is unique to Alps Ecoscience and the result of 5 years of development across multiple feedstocks and plant configurations.

The foundation of all SMASH deployments is a patented process using micronisation and catalysis to extract more gas from cellulosic material which normally remains undigested in the AD process. Accessing this material enables clients to significantly increase biogas quality and yield, use less feedstock or change diet to a cheaper mix. The primary module is applicable to most biogas operations.