Synergies for the Climate by combining AD plants with WtE

 

The AVA (Abfallverwertung Augsburg) took up the concept of dry fermentation recommended in the research approach and, after several variant investigations, very quickly implemented it in the planning and tendering of the process section. In Dec. 2013, the plant went into operation with 55,000 t/a of biowaste.

 

With further expansion stages the AVA has become one of Germany's largest players in the field of thermal AND material recovery.

 

The two core elements of the AVA are the WtE plant and the Anaerobic Digestion plant for biowaste, which, in ideal interaction, enable the recycling of organic and thermal waste from the catchment area that cannot be used for other purposes. The plants are operated all year round, around the clock.

On an area of 235,000 m², AVA disposes of over 350,000 tons of waste per year. The waste consists of the residual waste from households, commercial and hospital waste, as well as approx. 100,000 tons of biowaste per year.

Likewise, no costly and time-consuming after-treatment of exhaust air streams is necessary. Exhaust air streams from the area of the presses, the settling and storage basins, as well as the intensive rotting, can be fed to the waste-to-energy plant where they can be co-incinerated. As these are loaded with ammonia and contain traces of methane, this significantly reduces greenhouse gases and potential odors after the biofilter. The existing biofilter is thus relieved.

In return, the biowaste fermentation plant can be supplied with electricity and, if necessary, with heat (to heat the fermenters) by the waste-to-energy plant. In this way, the biogas produced can be completely converted into biomethane and used as a complementary and storable form of energy to PV and wind power.