teknid (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

Is there consideration given to methane being a greenhouse gas? and one of the byproducts of anaerobic composition being CO2? I'm sure this has been addressed but am curious what the work around is... certainly this must be better than anaerobic breakdown in a landfill where none is used at all.

sciguy40 (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

Very interesting and fascinating video. I am very unfamiliar with this topic but am eager to learn more.

stevideome (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

Yes. Certainly in theory energy-wise these plants could have no negative environmental effect. However, it would be necessary to recycle all the construction materials into a new plant and not use any fossil fuels to rebuild the plant when worn out. Never mind AD is far less damagign than fossil fuels if the feedstock is waste to start with, not food crops.There is a finite limit to the available biomass. I doubt that oil prices would go down because oil demand is so high.

GreatGoji (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

I am particularly interested in how this would result. I mean how would this industry stand up to large oil industries, would prices of oil go down? Is it really possible for it to have no negative effect to the environment? Anyways, prices of oil is really high nowadays. It would really be great to have an alternative option so I hope this works.

amyvaio (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

I understand that you can make biodiesel from the methane from a biodigester. The hellish rises in fuel costs recently may make doing this absolutely essential! I am all in favour of anything that can provide a cheaper alternative to diesel.

stevideome (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

Yes. Sure it does, but as the video explains, regrowth of the crop allows the carbon to be regenerated. That is the natural cycle. No problem, that is sustainable.

osvcoira (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

Please be serious, methane obtention maybe is clean, but it`s combustion produces CO2 like any other hydrocarbon

stevideome (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

Thanks for your intelligent comment and questions. I think that we will see quite a few Anaerobic Digestion plants similar to the Ludlow UK plant over the next few years. Many long-term Local Authority MSW contracts which have been in negotiation within the PFI funding system will include MBT Plants and quite a number of those plants will include an Anaerobic Digester in my view.

Cyfran101 (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

HiGreenfinch Ltd have a plant like the one you have talked about in Ludlow (where i'm from). It recyles household food waste and appears to be performing very well. What is your opinion on why anaerobic digesters are not in place in every town and city in the UK? How much would a plant cost? How profitable are they? Well done on this and other videos.

stevideome (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

Yes. You can try it out at bench scale using any one of a number of practical guides which are available.