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PFI INVESTS IN PILoT PLANT
The following plant components newly developed by
PFI and its partner organisations will be installed to
implement the innovative concept:
Lagoons holding liquid sugar beet silage for
automatic charging of the fermenters
Digestion unit for hydrothermal degradation
of lignocelluloses
PEH reactor for mixing and liquefying the richly
structured biomass and acceleration of cellulose
degradation
Fixed-bed fermenter for lactic acid production
and acceleration of the biogas process
Evaporation unit for concentration of the hydro-
lysis and fermentation digestates
Cogeneration unit for energetic utilisation of
hydrogen-rich biogas
High-temperature heat pump for generation
of process heat for the evaporation process
Digestate processing plant for fixation of
ammoniacal nitrogen in the fermentation residue
A central building at the demonstration plant is to
house a training room and a control centre from which
the various processes can be controlled and optimised
under the supervision of engineers and scientists.
Practical information and training sessions can also be
offered. The premises will also accommodate members
of various international research establishments
working as teams on multi-year research projects. In
particular, close scientific collaboration in the area of
biomass utilisation is planned between Rhineland-
Palatinate and Lorraine. Being so close to France, the
projected demonstration plant should also help intensify
collaboration between farmers and companies
from the two regions. Supporting roles are envisaged
for agricultural associations and the chambers of industry
and commerce. Pro-rata funding for the projected
demonstration plant is expected from the Life+
Programme of the European Union. Applications for
funding of cross-border cooperation between Rhineland-Palatinate
and Lorraine are to be submitted via
the Interreg IV programme.
01.2011
Magazine of the Test and Research Institute Pirmasens
Now that the plot has been purchased, PFI can proceed
with permit planning. This will be undertaken in close
consultation with the City of Pirmasens and Bioenergie
Pirmasens, a subsidiary of the Pirmasens municipal
utility company. In total, three plants are planned for
the Pirmasens Energy Park: a steam gasification unit
for wood, a methanisation plant for biogenic municipal
waste, and the above fermentation plant for agricultural
biomass. Construction of the last-mentioned
demonstration plant is scheduled to begin in mid-
2012.
Silo for maize
and grass silage
Straw storage
Fermentation technology
and product preparation
Storage tank
Straw digestion
plant
Projected PFI demonstration plant at the
Pirmasens-Winzeln energy park
Further information:
Dipl.-Ing. (FH) Benjamin Pacan
Phone: +49 6331 2490 - 840
E-Mail: benjamin.pacan@pfi-biotechnology.de
Control center and
training room
PEH reactor
CHP container
Lagoon for liquid
sugar beet silage
Methane
digester
Fixed-bed
fermenter
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