Description
The anaerobic digestion process consists of four separate stages – Hydrolysis, Acidogenesis, Acetogenesis and Methanogenesis. In Stage 1 complex organic polymers in the influent are converted into their constituent parts e.g. carbohydrates to sugars, fats to fatty acids and proteins to amino acids. In Stage 2 these simpler compounds are converted to organic acids. In stage 3 these organic acids are converted to acetic acid and hydrogen. In stage 4 the acetic acid and hydrogen are converted to methane. Since each stage provides the feedstock for the subsequent stages it is important that they all operate efficiently. Stages 1 – 3 can function under facultative conditions while Stage 4 is strictly anaerobic. In most cases it is the poor functioning of Stages 1 – 3 that gives rise to problems in anaerobic digestion.
Typical situations in which the use of BVL 4400 is beneficial include:
- Digester start up
- Re-seeding
- Overloaded plants
- Poor final effluent quality
- Shock recovery
- Odours
- Poor methane production
„Biovala“ harnesses the power of environmental biotechnology to solve the problems by converting the organic materials into simple organic acids in an exceptionally efficient manner. „BVL 4400“ uses only harmless, natural micro-organisms that control the problem by converting the organic matter to organic acids and thus improving the conversion to methane in a highly effective and environmentally acceptable way.
What is BVL 4400?
„BVL 4400“ is a bioenzymatic formulation which consists of a specially selected blend of natural micro-organisms (facultative anaerobes, yeast and fungi) and degradative enzymes (lipase, amylase, cellulase and protease) that have the ability to efficiently convert a wide range of organic materials to simple organic acids. Organic materials in the influent such as proteins, carbohydrates and fats are converted to provide a feed stock for Stages 2 – 4.
The enzymes in the formulation work to speed up the digestion process until the microbes become active. The facultative strains in „BVL 4400“ grow at a relatively fast rate so that they become dominant in the biological population. The wide range of strains has been specially chosen for their ability to produce the broad range of enzymes required to convert the organic matter. The strains in the product work in harmony with the existing biomass and increase its overall efficiency so that plant performance both in terms of methane production and final effluent quality is restored as quickly as possible.
The types of systems in which BVL 4400 can be used include:
- Anaerobic digesters
- Anaerobic ponds
- Facultative ponds
- Anaerobic sludge stabilisation
- Municipal landfills
The microbial strains are produced as single pure cultures, harvested, stabilised on a cereal base and blended together to produce the final product. Extensive checks are conducted throughout the process to ensure purity and quality of the product.
