A Proof of Concept project at CPI: Novel tubular technology for improved small scale anaerobic digestion

厌氧消化(AD)是微生物在没有氧气的情况下将有机物分解成沼气(二氧化碳和甲烷的混合物)和沼气的过程。沼气可以直接用于发动机供热和发电，也可以像天然气一样进行清洁和使用，也可以作为车辆燃料。秸秆可用作肥料或土壤改良剂。AD是一种有效的处理有机废物的方法，如食物垃圾、动物粪便和废弃的农作物残渣。英国联盟协议(2010)设定了一个目标，即在厌氧消化能力方面取得巨大进展。目前，AD是在昂贵、笨重且往往效率低下的大罐中进行的。CPI正在开发一种管式反应器的新概念，希望它能被证明更高效，占用更少的空间，并有更低的购买价格。CPI正在为这一想法申请专利，并建立了一个原型系统，将用于验证这一概念。该项目将对该技术进行科学评估，同时还将提供一套设计和开发方案，这可能会导致英国公司开发出一种创新的高价值产品。

Anaerobic Digestion (AD) is a process in which microorganisms break down organic matter, in the absence of oxygen, into biogas (a mixture of carbon dioxide and methane) and digestate. The biogas can be used directly in engines for heat and power or can be cleaned and used in the same way as natural gas or as a vehicle fuel. The digestate can be used as a fertiliser or soil conditioner. AD is an effective way to treat organic wastes – such as food wastes, animal slurries and waste crop residues. The UK Coalition Agreement (2010) sets out a goal for a huge uptake in anaerobic digestion capacity.Currently, AD is carried out in large tanks that can be expensive, bulky and often inefficient.CPI is developing a novel concept for a tubular reactor that, it is hoped, will be shown to be more efficient, take up less space and have a lower purchase price. CPI is patenting this idea and has built a prototype system that will be used to prove the concept.The project will deliver a scientific appraisal of the technology, alongside a design andexploitation package that will potentially lead to an innovative high-value product beingdeveloped by UK plc.