Areas of Application for the AwiLAB Digester
For experiments to improve your understanding of the substrate fermentation process
For simulation and design/scale-up of biogas plants on a real-life scale
For testing substrate enzymes and additives
For the preparation of an inoculum
The somewhat different biogas pilot plant – or what makes the AwiLAB Digester unique.
High Quality and All Inclusive
From innovative agitator technology (for solids contents of up to 18%) to automated phase monitoring and precise gas quality measurement.
From self-regulating tank heating to automatic standardisation of measured values and scale-up.
Everything can be adjusted in detail – either conveniently via laptop from your workstation (using special Awite software) or directly on the device using the intuitive graphical touchscreen.
This bioreactor was specially designed for scientists and process engineers to simulate practical fermentation processes on a laboratory and small pilot scale.
The Big Difference
One of the key differences to other stirred tank reactors (CSTR) is that our high-end gas analysis system AwiFLEX – one of Awite’s core competencies – is integrated into our laboratory fermenter, enabling more efficient simulation and a better understanding of the process based on the current gas composition (CH4, CO2, CO, O2, H2S, H2, N2).
In addition, the process can be monitored visually using the two large-format sight glasses – as well as digitally via the measured values of gas flow (including standard volume determination), process temperature, pH value and redox potential determined in the laboratory fermenter.
This data can be read out simultaneously to the external Awite software AwiCharts, where it can be presented in graphical and tabular form.
Individually configurable
The versions ‘stand-alone’ and ‘modular’ are available (each with a substrate filling volume of 25L or 50L):
In the ‘stand-alone’ version, all components (fermenter tank, flow and gas measurement, control unit, etc.) are installed on one single frame module.
The ‘modular’ version features a central control and measurement module that can be used to individually control and monitor up to seven fermenter modules. With this variant, it is also possible to add additional fermenter modules at a later date.
In an experimental setup with seven fermenter modules, the scientific approach with zero sample/inoculum plus double triple test can also be implemented.
Automatic feeding system
Optional: The filling, circulation and emptying system with a pulsation-free eccentric screw pump, automatic valve control, hydrostatic level measurement and flow measurement.
This system for precise, viscosity-independent dosing is particularly suitable for substrate compositions from the biogas sector.
The result
A modular plug-and-play fermentation reactor, tailor-made for your scientific laboratory research in the field of biomass fermentation.
Leave the time-consuming manual handling of experimental setups to others and opt for the state-of-the-art all-in-one laboratory system from German technology leader Awite.
Features | Scope of Delivery | Technical Data | Options
- All-in-one: The AwiLAB Digester contains all components required for laboratory biogas experiments.
- Mobile and compact: slim aluminum frame on swivel castors
- Plug-and-play: delivered ready-to-use
- Smart: automated fermentation, gas collection and gas analysis, significantly reducing the time and effort required to perform your analyses.
- Powerful: powerful agitator
- for dry matter contents of up to 14% (with special motor and agitator design up to 18%)
- with flexible speed
- allowing forward and reverse operation as well as interval and continuous operation
- including monitoring of motor power consumption to e.g. detect agitator blockages
- Individual: configurable stirring, heating and measuring programs
- Precise: container heating (exact regulated to ≤ 55 °C ± 0.1 °C; self-limiting at max 85 °C)
- Fast: Camlock connections, compressed air plug-in couplings and V-band clamps instead of screw caps
- Modern: color 7″ touch panel
- Meaningful: very good transferability of the test results to practical application
- Tight: leak test function to check the gas tightness of the entire system
- Convenient: Full remote access to analysis data and system control via laptop/smartphone
- Secure: arious interface user levels – from pure observation to full control. Directly on the device and via remote access
- Optional: pH and redox measurement
- Quality from a single source: engineering, software programming, design, production and assembly – Made by Awite in Germany – from high-quality materials in accordance with industry standards
- Cost-effective: low-cost and low-time annual maintenance
- Aluminum frame cabinet on castors
- Fermenter system
- Cylindrical fermentation tank (for approx. 25 or 50 litres substrate filling volume plus 10-15% gas space) made of corrosion-resistant stainless steel, with fully insulated and heatable jacket
- Motor with agitator
- Filling funnel (large size for quick substrate filling)
- 2″ sampling connection (at half tank height for most homogeneous substrate)
- 2″ drain connection
- Reserve connections for individual configuration (on container and lid)
- Temperature sensor for continuous control of the fermenter temperature by means of a heating band
- Overpressure protection and integrated internal pressure test to check the fermenter for leaks
- Condensate traps
- Sight glasses for visual process monitoring
- Awite AwiFLEX gas analysis system
- Automatic, periodic measurement of CH₄ (0-100%), CO₂ (0-100%), O₂ (0-25%), H₂S (0-5000 ppm), H₂ (0-2000 ppm)
- Includes gas cooler for accurate dry gas measurement
- Automatic calibration function
- Drum gas meter (precise gas volume measurement)
- Measuring range: 1-60 l/h
- Includes room temperature and pressure measurement for standardisation of measurement results
- Gas bag
- Pressure equalization bag for fermenter (2 l)
- Inert gas bag (15 L) (N2 flushing for inertisation)
- Gas collection bag for analysis (5 l)
- Operation and control / automation
- 7″ touch panel
- Control cabinet (power supply unit, fuses, agitator drive control)
- AwiLAB valve control cabinet for automated gas collection
- LAN connection to local network for remote access (complete regulation and control)
- Automatic data recording plus external AwiCharts software for data evaluation
- Different reactor sizes and agitator designs
- Sensors for other gas components and/or other measuring ranges (e.g. H2 0-100% via thermal conductivity sensor)
- pH and redox measurement
- Hydrostatic level measurement
- Automatic feeding with precision dosing eccentric screw pump, automatic valve control, level and flow measurement
- Plug&Play container solution
(if you do not have space for the AwiLAB Digester in your laboratory, we can deliver our reactor fully installed in an air-conditioned container suitable for outdoor installation – see example images in the image gallery)
AwiLAB Gas Analysis
…when everything can be scaled down a notch.
References
Jimma / Ethiopia
German Biomass Research Center (DBFZ)
- Version
AwiLAB Digester 7x 25L in own container - Application
Research by several master’s and doctoral students on local substrates and their biogas potential
Germany
Technical University of Munich (TUM)
- Version
AwiLAB Digester 2x 50L - Application
Research project on dark fermentation from sewage sludge (extraction of organic acids and H2 production from sewage gas)
Great Britain
General contractor in the planning, construction and operation of biogas plants
- Version
AwiLAB Digester 7x 50L
- Application
Fermentation experiments with spent grain (waste product from whisky production is used for biogas production, which in turn supplies electricity and heat for the manufacturing process)
Austria
Wieselburg University of Applied Sciences (FHWN)
- Version
AwiLAB Digester 1x 50L - Application
Teaching experiments
Brazil
University of Santa Cruz
- Version
AwiLAB Digester 1x 50L
- Application
University experiments
