Case study - biogas plant Úpice

In this work, a full-scale biogas plant (electrical installed capacity of 150 kW) located in Úpice near the city of Trutnov was monitored and assessed. The input materials of this plant are sewage sludge and different types of organic wastes. The samples of solid digestate were regularly taken between December 2008 and December 2009 and they were analysed for the content of toxic substances. Data concerning the amounts of particular input materials and the production of biogas were obtained directly from the operator of the plant. In order to reveal, if there is a relationship between the amount of particular input material and the production of biogas, a multiple linear regression was used. Finally, an overall assessment of the biogas plant was also implemented. The results of chemical analyses showed the digestate fulfills the norms given by the Czech legislation and thus can be certified and put on the market. Potentially problematic substances that should be monitored in the future are zinc and PAHs. A multiple linear regression identified "a gut fillings" and "silage" as the most suitable substrates for the biogas production in this plant. However, the value of r2 coefficient was quite low (r2 ~ 0,73), so we cannot say there is a clear relationship between the amounts of particular input..