Membrane filtration of biomass with ZELIX MEMBRANe.KINETICS
When working with biomass, with the help of ZELIX, productivity and quality could be increased significantly in many fields, which increased the economic efficiency as well as the success in the area of environment.
ZELIX is already successfully represented in the following fields of application:
Separation of nitrogen
Production of biogas
Concentration of digestate
Production of ethanol / biodiesel
MBR applications
Separation in biochemical processes
The Way
Sewage or biogas sludges exist mainly of EPS (extracellular polymer substances) that release microorganisms into the ambience. The microorganisms are embedded in these microbial agglomerates. This EPS matrix is maintained by hydrophobic interaction and electrical charge. This further affects the interfacial activity of the colloidal structures. In anaerobic digestion, this ultimately affects biodegradation and the amount of biogas.
Membrane filtration of these sludges has many process advantages. But mechanical stress can damage the EPS structure, oxidizing influence of air can deactivate molecular interfaces.
The ZELIX system has been developed to efficient, smart dynamics, especially for viscous liquids, high concentrations, biologically / chemically sensitive ingredients.
Therefore, the natural colloidal properties of EPS and the nutrients they contain, such as proteins, fats, saccharides, … ., are not damaged, but used positively.
According to the Einstein-Relation, the mobility/permeation properties of colloids depend primarily on electrical charge and electrical mobility (as well as on particle size and viscosity).
Strengthening these properties by integrated electro kinetics creates a new standard in membrane technics.
The patented ZELIX design enables integration of process combinations inside its filter vessel next to membrane-active interfaces. This offers even more performance-potentials.
INNOVUM GmbH developes and manufactures patented high-tech electrokinetics. Over 4,500 projects worldwide are proof of the company’s broad industrial experience.
INNOVUM has particular experience in biogas plants. The effect of electric field strength on the hydrophobic, colloidal properties of EPS and the nutrients it contains has been proven.
Test experience and research into the colloid-chemical mechanisms of electrokinetics and membrane filtration has led to a large-scale ZELIX plant constructed, with integrated INNOVUM modules.
Especially in biogas processes with food substrates, there are some concentrations of disintegrated EPS and nutrients such as proteins, lipids etc. - caused by the oxidation of the molecular surfaces. Overdosed auxiliaries can also lead to stabilized interfaces, which affects the filterability, but also the degradation of organic matter and gas production.
ZELIX membrane system with electro-kinetics provided proof of performance of the process combination immediately after start-up. This increases interfacial activity by over 100%. The economic effects are varied, with more gas production (+ 60%), more organic degradation (+ 65%), with less digestate (-65%) and consequently increased economic efficiency (€ 100,000 / a).
Methane
in Motion
Increase in biogas yield
ZELIX also has advantages for low-energy substrates, such as municipal sewage sludge. But even this energy potential can be used with intensified fermentation by concentrating the digested sludge. One has to abandon the process based on the principle of a thermostat - by separating sludge and sludge liquor in the digester. The sludge liquor is continuously separated in bypass by membranes and the sludge concentrated. So, digestion is prolonged, and nitrogen is also extracted from the sludge liquor.
