Methane gas is a major environmental problem related to animal waste. If left untreated, manure contributes significantly to greenhouse gas emissions by releasing methane into the atmosphere. Additionally, runoff from farms can be a major source of water pollution.

As a greenhouse gas it is 20 times more potent than carbon dioxide. Methane (CH4) is the second most prevalent greenhouse gas in the atmosphere after carbon dioxide (CO2) – and far more efficient at trapping heat.

The Company is building its first biogas electrical power generation system using farm animal waste in the Philippines. Animal Waste is fed to a biodigester, which contains heat activated enzymes in combination with bacteria to breakdown the waste product. During the process, methane gas is generated and drawn off from the biodigester and used to power an electrical generator.

Other outputs include clear water (reducing pollution), and the residual sediment can be used for fertilizer.

The first project will use waste from a farm with 300 sows and 200 cows in the Philippines, and will run a 500KW generator to power the farm. Under the Build, Operate and Transfer (BOT) agreement, the farm will pay AsiaPac approximately Php 200,000 per month (€3,300) for a period of 8 years, after which the farm will take ownership of the facility. This is based on the farm’s current monthly electricity costs. The power generator will be rated for 500KW, with an estimated construction cost of approximately €150,000 contrasted to roughly €300,000 in revenue during the corresponding period.

In addition, AsiaPac will retain all revenues associated with carbon credits for which the facility may be eligible.

 
Understanding the Basics of a Biodigester
 

A. Concrete holding tank.
B. Entry tube for waste and water
C. Exit tube for clear water
D. Mixing tank for manure and water
E. Collection Tub

The concrete holding tank is covered by a floating high density polyethylene (HDPE) black film. The tank contains the slurry of manure and water to which active enzmes are added. The black HDPE film absorbs heat from the sun and provides natural energy to power the chemical breakdown of the waste by the enzymes and bacteria. The methane gas released by this reaction rises and is collected by a collection pipe at the top of the biodigester concrete wall, and routed to a gas powered electrical generator which burns the methane to generate electricity. A picture of a small-scale biodigester is included above.

The biogas collected is then piped to a gas powered engine connected to a generator. The engine’s mechanical energy is thus transformed into electricity, used to power the farm, with the opportunity to feed excess capacity back into the electrical grid. Total capacity is rated for 500 KW.