Settling the Debate on Settleables: What’s Filling My Digester?

An anaerobic digester project developer’s worst nightmare—tanks filled with sand. But is it only sand that settles in digesters? Sand bedding on dairies is an easy target when it comes to digester tanks filled with sand, but there are other settleable particles in manure—some inorganic, some organic. In Episode 29 of Sustaining the Herd, Brock quizzes Andrew on sources of settleable material in manure, their respective quantities, and what to do about them. Andrew discusses mixing and agitation, as well as separation strategies and the future of sand handling in digesters.