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Updated: Jul 18, 2026
07:34
Evaluation of Integrated Anaerobic Digestion and Hydrothermal Carbonization for Bioenergy Production
Published on: June 15, 2014
Instrumentation, control and automation for full-scale manure-based biogas systems
1Anlagen- und Sondermaschinen Automation (ASA) GmbH, Robert-Bosch-Str. 7, 32547 Bad Oeynhausen, Germany. Juergen.Wiese@gmx.de
Summary
Manure-based biogas plants (MBBP) are increasingly important for ecological benefits and economic viability due to rising energy prices. Larger MBBPs, similar in scale to wastewater treatment plants, are adopting advanced instrumentation, control, and automation (ICA) systems.
Area of Science:
- Agricultural Engineering
- Environmental Science
- Biotechnology
Background:
- Manure-based biogas plants (MBBP) offer significant ecological advantages.
- The underlying anaerobic digestion processes are well-established in wastewater treatment.
- Increasing energy costs and technological advancements improve the economic feasibility of MBBPs.
Purpose of the Study:
- To highlight the growing importance of larger manure-based biogas plants.
- To draw parallels between MBBPs and conventional wastewater treatment plants (WWTP).
- To identify the trend of increased instrumentation, control, and automation (ICA) adoption in larger MBBPs.
Main Methods:
- Comparative analysis of MBBP and WWTP scale and complexity.
- Observation of technological trends in anaerobic digestion facilities.
- Literature review on instrumentation, control, and automation in industrial biological processes.
Main Results:
- Larger MBBPs (250-2000 kWel) are becoming more common due to economic and ecological drivers.
- These larger plants share similarities in investment, reactor volume, and complexity with small WWTPs.
- A notable increase in the use of instrumentation, control, and automation (ICA) is observed in larger MBBPs.
Conclusions:
- The scale and complexity of modern MBBPs necessitate advanced operational strategies.
- ICA implementation in larger MBBPs mirrors practices in established wastewater treatment facilities.
- Adoption of ICA is crucial for the efficient and reliable operation of increasingly large-scale MBBPs.
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