NL2011165C2

NL2011165C2 - Method for the treatment of manure and arrangement comprising a digester.

Info

Publication number: NL2011165C2
Application number: NL2011165A
Authority: NL
Inventors: Wouter Bernardus Cornelis Heij; Aart-Jan Voort; Herman Douwes Bultsma
Original assignee: Top B V
Priority date: 2013-07-15
Filing date: 2013-07-15
Publication date: 2015-01-21

Description

Method for the treatment of manure and arrangement comprising a digester

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a method for the treatment of manure, to a method for performing an industrial process at a farm, and to an arrangment comprising a digester.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The treatment of manure is known in the art. US 6,513,580, for instance, describes a heat exchanger for using a hot liquid to warm a cold substance that is fluid and foamy, containing solid particles and gas, such as liquid manure. US 6,513,580 describes a plurality of unit heat exchangers connected in series, each constituted by a horizontal tube having a heat conducting wall, in which the substance is caused to circulate from one end to the other, and a concentric tubular case surrounding said tube in which the hot liquid is caused to circulate from one end to the other in the opposite direction to the circulation of said substance, and that inside said tube there is coaxially mounted a rotary shaft carrying a helical brush forming an Archimedes' screw thread that rubs against the inside wall of the tube to ensure that the substance is transported there along. Said heat exchanger is particularly useful for heating liquid manure in a dehydration installation.

Further, US 2009/0305379 for instance, describes that a manure mixture within an anaerobic digestion tank stratifies to form a liquid effluent layer and a sludge layer. Liquid effluent from the liquid effluent layer is withdrawn from the tank through a height adjustable valve. The height adjustable valve is adapted to automatically adjust the position of its intake end within the liquid effluent layer in response to the level of the sludge layer detected by a sludge meter located within the tank. Liquid effluent withdrawn from the tank is passed through a heat exchange system including at least one heat exchanger. Heat from the heat exchanger is transferred to the liquid effluent to produce heated liquid effluent. The heated liquid effluent is reintroduced back into the digestion tank such that the temperature of the manure mixture within the tank is maintained within a suitable temperature range for anaerobic digestion of the manure mixture. Additionally, the heated liquid effluent is sprayed in an upwards direction so as to effect mixing of the manure mixture within the tank.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Prior art processes may not always efficiently treat manure. Further, manure treated in prior art processes may lead to products with limited applicability and/or not (always) complying with local or (international regulations. Hence, it is an aspect of the invention to provide an alternative method for the treatment of manure as well as to an apparatus, or (treatment) arrangement of apparatus, that can be used in such method, which preferably further at least partly obviate one or more of above-described drawbacks. Herein, a method is proposed that may efficiently convert manure in a product that can be sold, even internationally, while complying with e g. European criteria. Further, the proposed method may be used to run industrial processes with low or substantially low losses of energy by coupling apparatus and efficiently using energy and energy carriers.

In a first aspect, the invention provides a method for the treatment of manure comprising (i) feeding in a first process the manure to a digester and generating digestate and an energy carrier (especially methane), (ii) generating in a second process thermal energy by converting in an energy converter (such as in a combined heat and power (CHP) unit) at least part of the energy carrier, (iii) leading in a third process, which may especially be a continuous process, at least part of the digestate through a channel, especially an elongated channel, of a first heating zone, while heating the digestate therein via a first heat exchanger with at least part of the thermal energy (generated in the second process) (thereby providing a heated digestate), and optionally in a specific embodiment (iv) heating in a fourth process at least part of the thus obtained product (heated digestate) in a second heating zone, especially also with at least part of the thermal energy, thereby providing the treated digestate.

With such method, in an efficient way manure may be converted in a product that has added value and that can be transported (internationally), and that may comply with government rules concerning health. Further, the present method may allow a relative fast processing, especially with the herein described treatment arrangement, even more especially with the herein described (first) heater. Further, advantageously, energy that may be generated in a digester may be used to run one or more processes, especially the heat treatment (process) of the (digested) manure. Also advantageously, a(n integral) continuous process may be provided. State of the art processes often include one or more batch steps.

The method of the invention may also be combined with other processes. Hence, in a further aspect, the invention also provides a method for performing an industrial process at a farm wherein one or more of thermal energy and electricity is needed, wherein at least part of the one or more of thermal energy and electricity for performing the industrial process is generated according to a method as described herein (i.e. especially the method for the treatment of manure, wherein an energy carrier is generated and at least partly converted into an energy carrier, such as thermal energy and/or electrical energy). However, it is not necessary herein that the generation of the manure and the method of the invention are executed at the same site. It is for instance also possible that manure is transported to another location where the method of the invention for the treatment of manure may be applied. Especially, the farm is a livestock farm, such as a farm for livestock farming.

The above indicated treatment comprises especially a processing of the manure in a digester, an energy conversion process, and a heat treatment process. This may lead to a (treated manure or treated digestate) product with specific characteristics. Hence, in a further aspect, the invention also provides a treated digestate obtainable by the method as defined herein

Therefore, in yet another aspect, the invention also provides the use of a method for the treatment of manure (as described herein, the method) comprising (i) feeding in a first process the manure to a digester and generating digestate and an energy carrier, (ii) generating in a second process thermal energy by converting in an energy converter at least part of the energy carrier, (iii) leading in a third process, which a is a continuous process, at least part of the digestate through an elongated channel of a first heating zone, while heating the digestate therein via a first heat exchanger with at least part of the thermal energy, thereby providing a heated digestate; and (iv) heating in a fourth process at least part of the heated digestate in a second heating zone with at least part of the thermal energy, to provide treated digestate, especially with one or more of (a) a 5 log 10 cfu/g reduction or a higher reduction of Enteroccocus faecalis, (b) a 5 log 10 cfu/g reduction or higher reduction of Salmonella Senftenberg 775w, and (c) a 3log 10 cfu/g reduction or a higher reduction for the Parvovirus, relative to untreated digestate. The term "cfu" indicates colony forming units. Herein, the term “higher reduction” especially indicates that even less of these specie(s) remain in the material.

As indicated above, especially advantagesous may be the (application of the) treatment arrangement and(/or) heater as described herein. Hence, in a further aspect, the invention also provides a treatment arrangment comprising (i) a digester, (ii) an energy converter functionally connected with the digester, (iii) a heating arrangment functionally connected with the digester, the heating arrangement comprising a first heating zone and a second heating zone, and (iv) a first heat exchanger, functionally coupled with the energy converter and the heating arrangment, wherein the first heating zone comprises an elongated channel for the treatment of manure. In a further aspect, the invention provides a treatment arrangment comprising (i) a digester, (ii) an energy converter, (iii) a heating arrangment comprising a first heating zone and a second heating zone, and (iv) a first heat exchanger, )wherein the digester is especially configured to process in a first process manure to a digestate and to generate an energy carrier, wherein the energy converter is especially configured to generate in a second process thermal energy by converting at least part of the energy carrier,) wherein the first heating zone comprises an elongated channel, (and wherein the first heating zone is especially configured to heat in a third process, which is especially a continuous process, the digestate therein via the first heat exchanger with at least part of the thermal energy, while the digestate is being transported through the elongated channel, thereby providing a heated digestate, and wherein the second heating zone is especially configured to heat in a fourth process at least part of the heated digestate with at least part of the thermal energy, thereby providing treated digestate). In a further aspect, the invention also provides a heating arrangment comprising a first heating zone and a second heating zone, configured to be able to execute to heating in the third process and fourth process as described in the presently proposed method. Such heating arrangement may be an integral part of the treatment arrangement as described herein.

In yet a further aspect, the invention also provides the heater per se, i.e. especially a heater comprising a tube-in-tube shaped heating element with a second tube enclosing a first tube having a first volume, thereby providing a second volume between the first and the second tube, wherein the heater in an embodiment comprises a central (massive or hollow) core around which the second tube is arranged, and wherein the tube-in-tube shaped heating element especially comprises a plurality of (elongated) first tubes, more especially in the range of 1-100, such as 10-50, elongated first tubes, wherein the first tubes are configured to allow transport of a fluid (especially digestate) through the first tubes, and wherein the second tube is configured to allow transport of a heating fluid in the second volume for heating the first tubes. Such heater may be an integral part of the heating arrangement and/or treatment arrangement as described herein. The 1-100 first tubes are thus especially arranged between the central core and the (wall of the) second tube.

The term "tube-in-tube" especially indicates a configuration with an eleongated tube in another elongated tube, especially with parallel tube axes. The digestate may be transported though an inner tube, but may optionally also be transported through the space between the inner tube and the outer tube. The inner tube (first tube) may be arranged along the tube axis of the outer tube, i.e. the tube axes may coincide. However, the inner tube may also be arranged ofset from the tube axis of the larger tube. Further, the larger tube may include a plurality, especially > 1 and < 100 tubes, which may be distributed over the volume of the outer tube. Again, the digestate may be transported through the inner tubes, but in principle may also be transported through the space between the inner tubes and the outer tube. The tube axes of the innner tubes are in general parallel to the tube axes of the outer tube. Hence, when there are two or more first tubes, these are especially arranged parallel to each other.

The manure that is processed herein, may especially comprise livestock manure. Hence, especially manure from domesticated animals is applied, like manure from one or more of cattle, sheep, goat and pig. However, also other manure may be applied.

The material that is introduced in the digester comprises manure, but may optionally also include other material like one or more of hay, straw, com (maize), etc. Hence, the phrase “method for the treatment of manure” may also be read as method for the treatment of a composition comprising manure, wherein the composition may also include other materials like straw, hay and optionally also (other) biodegradable material. Especially however, the material that is introduced in the digester to be digested comprises 90 wt.% or more organic material, especially 95 wt.% or more (based on dry weight). Further, especially the material that is introduced in the digester to be digested comprises at least 50 wt.%, especially at lest 80 wt.%, even more especially at least 90 wt.% of manure (based on total weight).

The digester is especially a unit wherein anaerobic digestion is applied. Anaerobic digestion can be considered a collection of processes by which microorganisms break down biodegradable material in the absence of oxygen. The digester is especially configured to allow a continuous digestion. In this way, continusouly a feed of digestate, a product of the digestion process, can be retrieved from the digester and can be fed into the first heating zone / heat treatment arrangement. Hence, the method of the invention involves in an embodiment the feeding in a first process of the manure to the digester and generating in a continuous process digestate and the energy carrier. The phrase “generating digestate and an energy carrier” does not exclude that other matter may be generated. Hence, it especially indicates that at least digestate and an energy carrier are generated.

Digestate is the material remaining after the anaerobic digestion of a biodegradable feedstock. Anaerobic digestion produces two main products: digestate and biogas. Digestate can be produced both by acidogenesis and/or methanogenesis. Hence, next to digestate also biogas may be produced. This biogas includes methane with is herein considered an energy carrier, as methane can be converted into one or more of electrical energy and thermal energy. Hence, the invention also provides a method wherien the digester comprises an anaerobic digestor, wherein the energy carrier comprises methane, and wherein the energy converter comprises a generator configured to combust the energy carrier and provide electricity. The generator may thus include a combustor. By combustion (of the methane), electricity may be generated. The combustor may in an embodiment comprise a turbine. In yet another embodiment the combustor may comprise a fuel cell.

This energy carrier is especailly converted into at least thermal energy Especially, this may be done in a combined heat and power (CHP) unit. In a combined heat and power simultaneously electricity and heat can be generated. Optionally, a fuel cell may be applied. Thermal energy may especially be generated in a direct process (and not via a multi-step process, such as generation of electricity and subsequently generation of thermal energy). As the first process may be a continuous process, also the second process may be a continuous process. Hence, in this way continuously thermal energy may be generated, which may be used in the heat treatment (see also below).

The digestated from the digester, or at least part thereof, is fed in a third process in a heating arrangement. In the heating arrangement the digestate is sanitized, i.e. by a heat treatment detrimental bacteria and/or virusus are eleminated or at least activity may greatly be reduced. The heat treatment may include a third process and optionally also a fourth process. Hence, the heat treatment may in an embodiment include a process wherein the digestate is heated to a specific temperature and optionally kept at this temperature for a predetermined time. In yet another embodiment, the heat treatment may include a process wherein, in a first heating zone, the digestate is heated to a predetermined temperature and subsequently heated, in a second heating zone, (in a fourth) process, to a(nother) predetermined temperature. Such a two stage process may have the advantage that for instance with high contact area with heating elements the digestate can be brought at higher temperature, whereafter with lower contact area with heating elements the digestate can be kept at such temperature. Hence, the invention may especially include (iii) heating in a third process at least part of the digestate in a first heating zone, and (iv) heating in a fourth process at least part of the thus obtained product (heated digestate) in a second heating zone, thereby providing the treated digestate.

For good thermal contact, especially in the third process (heating stage), especially an elongate channel may be applied (for transport of the digestate). Further, especially thermal energy that is generated in the second process can be used to heat the digestate in the third process (and optionally also the fourth process). The thermal energy can be brought into the third process amongst others via a heat exchanger. This heat exchanger is especially fluid based, such as liquid based, even more especially based on water as medium to transfer (and receive) thermal energy. Hence, especially the method of the invnetion includes (iii) leading in a third process, which may especially be a continuous process, at least part of the digestate through a channel, especially an elongated channel, of a first heating zone, while heating the digestate therein via a first heat exchanger with at least part of the thermal energy (generated in the second process) (thereby providing a heated digestate), and optionally in a specific embodiment (iv) heating in a fourth process at least part of the thus obtained product (heated digestate) in a second heating zone, especially also with at least part of the thermal energy, thereby providing the treated digestate. The term “heat exchanger” may also relate to a plurality of heat exchangers.

For good thermal energy transfer in the third process / first heating zone one or more of a plurlaty of elongated channels and a tube-in-tube shaped configuration can be chosen. With respect to the former, a plurality of tubes may allow a high contact surface with the digestate. With respect to the latter, such configuration may allow good thermal energy transfer and/or isolation. Hence, in a specific embodiment, a first heater is applied in the third process, which comprises a tube-in-tube shaped heating element with a second tube, enclosing a first tube having a first volume, thereby providing a second volume between the first and the second tube, and wherein through one of the volumes the digestate is transported, and wherein the other volume contains a liquid, heated with at least part of the thermal energy, for heating the digestate. Especially, a configuration may be applied with a central core, which may optionally also be heated. This central core can be a (massive or hollow) core. Hence, in a further embodiment the first heater comprises a central (massive) core around which the second tube is arranged. As indicated above, one or more elongated tubes may be applied. In a specific embodiment, the tube-in-tube shaped heating element comprises in the range of 1-100, such as 10-50, elongated first tubes. Especially, through the(se) first tubes the digestate is transported. A hot liquid in the second volume enclosing the first tubes may be used to heat the digestate in the first tube(s).

The total time the digestate is processed and the temperature to which the digestate is subjected may depend upon several factors such as the temperature of a fluid (in the heat exchanger), such as water, that is used to transfer thermal energy to the digestate, the geometry of the heating arrangement, such as e.g. the length of the tube(s) through which the digestate is transported, etc. In a specific embodiment, the time the digestate is kept at a predetermined temperature is equal or longer to the following relation between time (t) and temperature (T) as defined above. In a specifid embodiment, the third process comprises heating the digestate to a temperature of at least 60°C, and wherein the fourth processcomprises heating the thus obtained digestated at a temperture of at least 60 °C. Especially however, the temperature may be higher, in order to reduce time. Nevertheless, even with a low temperatures as 60 °C, the digestate may be kept (during the fourth process) for only about at least half an hour at this temperature, to get a reduction in bacteria and/or virus which comply with e g. EU regulation 1069/2009 (appendix XI and/or appendix V). In a specific embodiment, the process conditions are chosen such that the treated digestate after the (fourth) process complies with one or more of (a) a 51ogl0 cfu/g reduction or a higher reduction of Enteroccocus faecalis, a 51ogl0 cfii/g reduction or higher reduction of Salmonella Senftenberg 775w, and (c) a 31ogl0/g or reduction or higher reduction for the Parvovirus. Additionally or alterantively, the treated digestate after the (fourth) process (also) complies with a31ogl0 cfu/g reduction or a higher reduction for thermofilic virus. Hence, as indicated above, the invention also provides a treated digestate, especially obtainable by the method as described herein, having a 51ogl0/g or higher reduction of Enteroccocus faecalis and a 3 log 10 cfu/g reduction or a higher reduction for the Parvovirus. Further, the method may also provide a treated digestate having a dry weight of equal to or less than 20 wt.%.

Representative results can be obtained with the following indicative parameter sets resulting in process conditions that meet set requirement of 51og reduction of both indicator organisms:

Hence, a processing temperature - processing time equation conform the Enterococcus Faecalis - 51og reduction numbers in above table may be used to find the right time at a predefined temperature. For instance, a time derived from such equation of at least 90% of the time conform such equation, especially at least 100% of the time conform such equation may give good results.

The product may thus be brought at a specific tempertaure in the third process and be kept at this temperature (or optionally at another temperature) during the fourth process. The heating zone for the fourth process, i.e. the second heating zone, may comprise less contact surface for heating the digestate as the digestate is already available at elevated temperature (heated digestate obtained in the first heating zone). Especially, the fourth process comprises heating at least part of the heated digestate in the second heating zone via a second heat exchanger with at least part of the thermal energy, thereby providing the treated digestate. Especially, the fourth process is (also) a continuous process. However, in a further embodiment, the fourth process comprises a batch process. The function of the first heat exchanger is especially to heat the digestate up to the proper temperature; here a lot of energy may be needed and thus especially a large contact surface is needed. The second heat exchanger may especially be used to get the desired residence time for the (treated) digestate. For this process, just as little as possible heatexchanging surface area is necessary. The added heat in this process is (only) in order to compensate the heat loss.

In a further aspect, the method also includes processing in a subsequent process the treated digestate into organic fertilizer material. Further, the treated digestate may be stored, transported in containers or other type of units, etc.

As indicated above, the method as described herein for the treatement of manure may be part of a larger process, such as a process for performing an industrial process at a farm wherein one or more of thermal energy and electricity is needed, wherien at least part of the one or more of thermal energy and electricity for performing the industrial process is generated according to a method as described herein. In a specific embodiment the industrial process may comprises heating an indoor location for livestock. However, alternatively or additionally, the industrial process may (also) comprises food processing. For instance, the industrial process may include one or more of drying of food and heating of food. For instance, the industrial process may include one or more of drying of feed and heating of feed. The industrial process may also include a cleaning process using hot water. The industrial process may also include cultivation of animals for which thermal energy is needed, like one or more of breeding chicken, breeding cattle, breeding fish. The industrial process may also include cultivation of plants or others species, for which thermal energy may be needed, such as the cultivation of algae, etc.

As also indicated above, especially a heating arrangment may be applied comprising a first heating zone and a second heating zone, and a first heat exchanger, wherein the first heating zone is configured to heat in a third process, which is a continuous process, the digestate therein via the first heat exchanger with at least part of the thermal energy, while the digestate is being transported through the elongated channel, thereby providing a heated digestate, and wherein the second heating zone is configured to heat in a fourth process at least part of the heated digestate with at least part of the thermal energy, thereby providing treated digestate.

In an embodiment, the heating arrangement comprises, as further also described above, a first heater, the first heater comprsing the first heating zone, wherein the first heater comprises a tube-in-tube shaped heating element with a second tube, enclosing a first tube having a first volume, thereby providing a second volume between the first and the second tube.

The heating arrangement may be part of the (larger) treatment arrangment, which may also include the digester and the energy converter. Further, the treatment arrangement may further comprise a second heater, the second heater comprising the second heating zone, wherein the second heater comprises an elongated channel, and wherein the first heater and second heater are in fluid communication with each other.

As indicated above, the invention provides a treatment arrangment comprising (i) a digester, (ii) an energy converter functionally connected with the digester, (iii) a heating arrangment functionally connected with the digester, the heating arrangement comprising a first heating zone and a second heating zone, and (iv) a first heat exchanger, functionally connected with the energy converter and the heating arrangment, wherein the first heating zone comprises an elongated channel for the treatment of manure. The energy converter may functionally be coupled to the digester, as gas (especially biomethane) from the digester may be received by the energy converter. The energy converter then converts at least part of the energy carrier comprised by the gas. The energy converter may thus be in gaseous communication with the digester. The heating arrangement may also be functionally coupled to the digsters, as digestate from the digester may be received by the (first heating zone of the) heating arrangement. Hence, the heating arrangement may be in fluid communication with the digester. The first (and the second) heat exchanger may be functionally connected with the energy converter and the heating arrangment, as thermal energy from the energy converter may via the first (and the second) heat exchanger be transferred to the heating arrangement.

The digester may thus include one or more outlets, for fluid communication with the energy converter and heating arrangement (respectively).

As will be clear to the person skilled in the art, the process and/or arrangement may include a means to transporte the digestate and the treated digestate. Further, means to transport may be used to transport the liquid that may be used to exchange heat between the energy converter and the heating arrangement (especially teh first heating zone and optionally also the second heating zone). The term "means to transport" may also include a plurality of such means. Such means may e g. include one or more pumps, etc.

The term “substantially” herein, such as in “substantially consists”, will be understood by the person skilled in the art. The term “substantially” may also include embodiments with “entirely”, “completely”, “all”, etc. Hence, in embodiments the adjective substantially may also be removed. Where applicable, the term “substantially” may also relate to 90% or higher, such as 95% or higher, especially 99% or higher, even more especially 99.5% or higher, including 100%. The term “comprise” includes also embodiments wherein the term “comprises” means “consists of’. The term “and/or” especially relates to one or more of the items mentioned before and after “and/or”. For instance, a phrase “item 1 and/or item 2” and similar phrases may relate to one or more of item 1 and item 2. The term "comprising" may in an embodiment refer to "consisting of but may in another embodiment also refer to "containing at least the defined species and optionally one or more other species".

Furthermore, the terms first, second, third and the like in the description and in the claims, are used for distinguishing between similar elements and not necessarily for describing a sequential or chronological order. It is to be understood that the terms so used are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances and that the embodiments of the invention described herein are capable of operation in other sequences than described or illustrated herein.

The devices herein are amongst others described during operation. As will be clear to the person skilled in the art, the invention is not limited to methods of operation or devices in operation.

It should be noted that the above-mentioned embodiments illustrate rather than limit the invention, and that those skilled in the art will be able to design many alternative embodiments without departing from the scope of the appended claims. In the claims, any reference signs placed between parentheses shall not be construed as limiting the claim. Use of the verb "to comprise" and its conjugations does not exclude the presence of elements or steps other than those stated in a claim. The article "a" or "an" preceding an element does not exclude the presence of a plurality of such elements. The invention may be implemented by means of hardware comprising several distinct elements, and by means of a suitably programmed computer. In the device claim enumerating several means, several of these means may be embodied by one and the same item of hardware. The mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used to advantage.

The invention further applies to a device comprising one or more of the characterizing features described in the description and/or shown in the attached drawings. The invention further pertains to a method or process comprising one or more of the characterising features described in the description and/or shown in the attached drawings.

The various aspects discussed in this patent can be combined in order to provide additional advantages. Furthermore, some of the features can form the basis for one or more divisional applications. The invention especially relates to (numbering only for reference reasons): 1. A method for the treatment of manure comprising (i) feeding in a first process the manure to a digester and generating digestate and an energy carrier, (ii) generating in a second process thermal energy by converting in an energy converter at least part of the energy carrier, (iii) leading in a third process, which a is a continuous process, at least part of the digestate through an elongated channel of a first heating zone, while heating the digestate therein via a first heat exchanger with at least part of the thermal energy, thereby providing a heated digestate, and (iv) heating in a fourth process at least part of the heated digestate in a second heating zone with at least part of the thermal energy, thereby providing the treated digestate, wherein a first heater is applied in the third process, which comprises a tube-in-tube shaped heating element with a second tube, enclosing a first tube having a first volume, thereby providing a second volume between the first and the second tube, wherein through one of the volumes the digestate is transported, and wherein the other volume contains a liquid, heated with at least part of the thermal energy, for heating the digestate, and wherein the tube-in-tube shaped heating element comprises in the range of 1-100 elongated first tubes, and wherein through the first tube(s) the digestate is transported. 2. The method according to embodiment 1, wherein the manure comprises livestock manure. 3. The method according to any one of the preceding embodiments, wherein the first heater comprises a central core around which the second tube is arranged. 4. The method according to any one of the preceding embodiments, wherein the third process comprises heating the digestate to a temperature of at least 60°C, and wherein the fourth processcomprises heating the thus obtained digestated at a temperture of at least 60 °C. 5. The method according to any one of the preceding embodiments, wherein processing parameters selected from residence time and temperature are selected to obtain one or more of (a) a 5 log 10 cfu/g reduction or a higher reduction of Enteroccocus faecalis, (b) a 5 log 10 cfu/g reduction or higher reduction of Salmonella Senftenberg 775w, and (c) a 31ogl0 cfu/g reduction or a higher reduction for the Parvovirus. 6. The method according to any one of the preceding embodiments, wherein the treated digestate after the fourth process complies with 31ogl0 reduction or higher reduction for thermofilic virus. 7. The method according to any one of the preceding embodiments, wherein the method for the treatment of manure provides a treated digestate having a dry weight of equal to or less than 20 wt.%. 8. The method according to any one of the preceding embodiments, wherien the digester comprises an anaerobic digestor, wherein the energy carrier comprises methane, and wherein the energy converter comprises a generator configured to combust the energy carrier and provide electricity. 9. The method according to any one of the preceding embodiments, further comprising processing in a subsequent process the treated digestate into organic fertilizer material. 10. The method according to any one of embodiments 1-9, wherein the fourth process is a continuous process. 11. The method according to any one of embodiments 1-9, wherein the fourth process is a batch process. 12. The method according to any one of the preceding embodiments, wherein the fourth process comprises heating at least part of the heated digestate in the second heating zone via a second heat exchanger with at least part of the thermal energy, thereby providing the treated digestate. 13. A method for performing an industrial process at a farm wherein one or more of thermal energy and electricity is needed, wherien at least part of the one or more of thermal energy and electricity for performing the industrial process is generated according to a method according to any one of embodiments 1-12. 14. The method accordig to embodiment 13, wherein the industrial process comprises heating an indoor location for livestock. 15. The method accordiing to any one of embodiments 13-14, wherein the industrial process comprisess food processing. 16. A treatment arrangment comprising (i) a digester, (ii) an energy converter, (iii) a heating arrangment comprising a first heating zone and a second heating zone, and (iv) a first heat exchanger, wherein the digester is configured to process in a first process manure to a digestate and to generate an energy carrier, wherein the energy converter is configured to generate in a second process thermal energy by converting at least part of the energy carrier, wherein the first heating zone comprises an elongated channel, and wherein the first heating zone is configured to heat in a third process, which is a continuous process, the digestate therein via the first heat exchanger with at least part of the thermal energy, while the digestate is being transported through the elongated channel, thereby providing a heated digestate, and wherein the second heating zone is configured to heat in a fourth process at least part of the heated digestate with at least part of the thermal energy, thereby providing treated digestate. 17. The treatment arrangement according to embodiment 16, comprising a first heater, the first heater comprsing the first heating zone, wherein the first heater comprises a tube-in-tube shaped heating element with a second tube, enclosing a first tube having a first volume, thereby providing a second volume between the first and the second tube. 18. The treatment arrangement according to embodiment any one of embodiments 16- 17, wherein the first heater comprises a central core around which the second tube is arranged. 19. The treatment arrangement according to embodiment any one of embodiments 16- 18, wherein the tube-in-tube shaped heating element comprises in the range of 1-100 elongated first tubes. 20. The treatment arrangement according to embodiment any one of embodiments 16- 20. wherein the tube-in-tube shaped heating element comprises in the range of 10-50 elongated first tubes. 21. The treatment arrangement according to any one of embodiments 16-19, wherein the treatment arrangement further comprises a second heater, the second heater comprising the second heating zone, wherein the second heater comprises an elongated channel, and wherein the first heater and second heater are in fluid communication with each other. 22. A heater comprising a tube-in-tube shaped heating element with a second tube, enclosing a first tube having a first volume, thereby providing a second volume between the first and the second tube, wherein the heater comprises a central core around which the second tube is arranged, and wherein the tube-in-tube shaped heating element comprises in the range of 1-100 elongated first tubes, wherein the first tubes are configured to allow transport of a fluid through the first tubes, and wherein the second tube is configured to allow transport of a heating fluid in the second volume for heating the first tubes. 23. Use of a treatment arrangment comprising (i) a digester, (ii) an energy converter functionally connected with the digester, (iii) a heating arrangment functionally connected with the digester, the heating arrangement comprising a first heating zone and a second heating zone, and (iv) a first heat exchanger, functionally coupled with the energy converter and the heating arrangment, wherein the first heating zone comprises an elongated channel for the treatment of manure. 24. Use of a method for the treatment of manure comprising (i) feeding in a first process the manure to a digester and generating digestate and an energy carrier, (ii) generating in a second process thermal energy by converting in an energy converter at least part of the energy carrier, (iii) leading in a third process, which a is a continuous process, at least part of the digestate through an elongated channel of a first heating zone, while heating the digestate therein via a first heat exchanger with at least part of the thermal energy, thereby providing a heated digestate; and (iv) heating in a fourth process at least part of the heated digestate in a second heating zone with at least part of the thermal energy, to provide treated digestate with one or more of (a) a 51ogl0 cfu/g reduction or a higher reduction of Enteroccocus faecalis, (b) a 51ogl0 cfu/g reduction or higher reduction of Salmonella Senflenberg 775w, and (c) a 31ogl0 cfu/g reduction or a higher reduction for the Parvovirus, relative to untreated digestate. 25. A treated digestate obtainable by the method according to any one of embodiments 1-12.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying schematic drawings in which corresponding reference symbols indicate corresponding parts, and in which:

Figs, la-Id schematically depict some aspects of the treatment arrangement and/or heating arrangement.

The drawings are not necessarily on scale.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Fig. la schematically depicts a treatment arrangment 1 comprising (i) a digester 10, (ii) an energy converter 20, (iii) a heating arrangment 100 comprising a first heating zone 30 and a second heating zone 40, and (iv) a first heat exchanger 35.

The digester 20 is configured to process in a first process manure 2 to a digestate 3 and to generate an energy carrier 8, wherein the energy converter 20 is configured to generate in a second process thermal energy by converting at least part of the energy carrier 8, wherein the first heating zone 30 comprises an elongated channel (see e.g. figs, lb and lc), and wherein the first heating zone 30 is configured to heat in a third process, which is especially a continuous process, the digestate 3 therein via the first heat exchanger 35 with at least part of the thermal energy, while the digestate 8 is being transported through the elongated channel, thereby providing a heated digestate 4, and wherein the second heating zone 40 is configured to heat in a fourth process at least part of the heated digestate 4 with at least part of the thermal energy, thereby providing treated digestate 5. Reference 50 schematically depicts a further stage, such as including one or more of storage, transport, a particulation process, etc. The energy converter may e.g. include a CHP. Thermal energy and/or electricity generated generated with the energy converter 20 may not only be used for treating the digestated, but may also be used for other (industrial) processes (at the same site).

Reference 70 refers to a heat exchange arrangement, which may include two (or more) heat exchangers. Optionally, only one heat exchanger is applied which may both heat the first heating zone 30 and the second heating zone 40. Reference 45 indicates a second heat exchanger.

Fig. lb schematcially depicts an embodiment of a 23 a heater, or first heater 130 that may be used to provide the first heating zone. Especially, the first heater 130 comprises a tube-in-tube shaped heating element 1300 with a second tube 1302, enclosing a first tube 1301 having a first volume 1311, thereby providing a second volume 1312 between the first tube 1301 and the second tube 1302. The heater 130 may comprise a central (massive) core 133 around which the second tube 1302 is arranged. The tube-in-tube shaped heating element 1300 may comprise a plurality of elongated first tubes, such as in the range of 10-50 elongated first tubes 1301. Especially, the first tubes 1301 are configured to allow transport of a fluid, especially the digestate 3 through the first tubes 1301. Further, the second tube 1302 may be configured to allow transport of a heating fluid 1305 in the second volume 1312 for heating the first tube(s) 1301. References 1313 and 1314 indicate inlets/outlets for the heating fluid 1305, which may be the heating fluid of the (first) heat exchanger. References, 131 and 132 indicate the inlet and outlet of the first heater, respectively. The length of the elongated first tube(s) 1301, indicated with reference LI may be in the range of e.g. 2-20 m, especially 4-15 m. The wall of the first tube may thus be considered a heating element, retrieving thermal energy from the fluid in the second volume, and providign at least part of the thermal energy of the digestate flowing through the first tube (first volume). As shown in the figure, the tube axes of the innner tubes are parallel to the tube axes of the outer tube. The two or more first tubes are arranged parallel to each other.

Fig. lc schematically depicts a cross-section of an embodiment of the first heater as schematically depicted in fig. lb. By way of example, four elongated first tubes 1301 are depicted. The diameter of the second tube 1302 is indicated with reference D1 and the diameter of the first tubes is indicated with reference D2. The diameter of the central core 133 is indicated with reference D3. Characteristic diameters are e g. 0,2-2 m, 10-20 mm, and 0,1-0,5 m, for Dl, D2 and D3, respectively. Of course, D1>D2 and D1>D3.

Fig. Id schematically depicts an embodiment of a second heater (which may also be indicated as thermal cell), that may be used to provide the second heating zone. The second heater is indicated with reference 140. In fact, this may also be tube-intube shaped heating element (ref. 1400), with a second tube 1402 enclosing a first tube 1401, a second volume 1412, and a first volume 1411, through which the heated digeste 4 may be fed. The second heater 140 may also include an elongated channel, indicated with reference 411, i.e. the first tube 1401. Inlets/outlets for a hot fluid are indicated with references 1413/1414. A (hot) fluid 1405 (from a second heat exchanger) may be used to heat the second heater 140, i.e. the first tube. The first tube 1401 may have a diameter D5 and the second tube may have a diameter D4, which may e g. be in the range of 0.05-1 m and 0.1-2 m, respectivly, with D4>D5. The length over which the first tube may be heated is indicated with reference L2, which may be in the range of e g. 0.5-20 m, such as 1-5 m. note however that optionally instead of a second heater configured to allow a continuous heating/treatment process, also a second heater may be applied that (only) allows a batch process, like a vessel.

Claims

A method for treating manure comprising (i) supplying, in a first method, the manure to a digester and generating digestate and an energy carrier, (ii) generating thermal energy in a second process by converting it into an energy converter of at least a portion of the energy carrier, (iii) passing in a third process, which is a continuous process, at least a portion of the digestate through an elongated channel of a first heating zone, while heating the digestate therein via a first heat exchanger with at least a portion of the thermal energy, thereby obtaining a heated digestate, and (iv) heating in a fourth process at least a portion of hot heated digestate in a second heating zone with at least one part of the thermal energy, whereby the treated digestate is obtained, wherein a first heating element is used in the third process, comprising a pipe s-in-tube heating element with a second tube, enclosing a first tube with a first volume, whereby a second volume is provided between the first and the second tube, wherein one of the volumes of digestate is transported, and wherein the other part contains a liquid, heated with at least a part of the thermal energy, for heating the digestate, and wherein the tube-in-tube-shaped heating element comprises in the range of 1-100 elongated first tubes, and wherein through the first tube (s) the digestate is transported.

Method according to claim 1, wherein the manure comprises animal manure.

3. Method as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, wherein the first heating element comprises a central core around which the second tube is arranged.

A method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the third process comprises heating the digestate to a temperature of at least 60 ° C, and wherein the fourth process comprises heating the thus obtained digestate to a temperature of at least 60 ° C C.

A method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein process parameters selected from residence time and temperature are selected to obtain one or more of (a) to obtain a 51og10 cfu / g reduction or higher reduction of Enteroccocus faecalis, (b) a 51og10 cfu / g reduction or higher reduction of Salmonella Senftenberg 775W, and (c) a 31og10 cfu / g discount or a higher reduction for the parvovirus.

A method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the treated digestate after the fourth process satisfies a 31% reduction or higher reduction for thermophilic viruses.

A method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the method for treating manure yields a treated digestate with a dry matter content equal to or less than 20% by weight.

A method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the digester comprises an anaerobic digester, wherein the energy carrier comprises methane, and wherein the energy converter comprises a generator configured to burn the energy carrier and supply electricity.

A method according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising processing the treated digestate in organic fertilizer material at a later stage.

The method of any one of claims 1-9, wherein the fourth process is a continuous process.

The method of any one of claims 1-9, wherein the fourth process is a batch process.

A method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the fourth process is heating at least a part of the heated digestate in the second heating zone via a second heat exchanger with at least a part of the thermal energy, whereby the treated digestate is obtained.

A method for carrying out an industrial process on a farm where one or more of thermal energy and electricity is required, wherein at least a part of the one or more of thermal energy and electricity for carrying out the industrial process is obtained according to the method according to any of claims 1-12.

The method according to claim 13, wherein the industrial process comprises heating an indoor location for livestock.

The method of any one of claims 13 to 14, wherein the industrial process comprises food processing.

A treatment device comprising (i) a digester, (ii) an energy converter, (iii) a heating device comprising a first heating zone and a second heating zone, and (iv) a first heat exchanger, the digester being configured to enter a first process to process manure into a digestate and an energy carrier, wherein the energy converter is configured to generate in a second process of thermal energy by converting at least a part of the energy carrier, the first heating zone comprising an elongated channel, and wherein the first heating zone is configured to heat in a third process, which is a continuous process, the digestate therein with at least a part of the thermal energy through the first heat exchanger, while the digestate is transported through the elongated channel, whereby a heated digestate is obtained, and wherein the second heating zone is configured to form a fourth pr oces to heat at least a portion of the heated digestate with at least a portion of the thermal energy, thereby obtaining treated digestate.

The treatment device according to claim 16, comprising a first heating element, the first heating element comprising the first heating zone, wherein the first heating element comprises a tube-in-tube heating element with a second tube enclosing a first tube with a first volume, whereby a second volume between the first and the second tube is provided.

The treatment device according to any of claims 16-17, wherein the first heating element comprises a central core around which the second tube is arranged.

The treatment device according to any of claims 16 to 18, wherein the tube-in-tube shaped heating element comprises in the range of 1-100 elongated first tubes.

The treatment device according to any of claims 16-20, wherein the tube-in-tube shaped heating element comprises in the range of 10-50 elongated first tubes.

The treatment device according to any of claims 16-19, wherein the treatment device further comprises a second heating element, the second heating element comprising the second heating zone, wherein the second heating element comprises an elongated channel, and wherein the first and second heating elements are in fluid communication with each other .

A heating element comprising a tube-in-tube-shaped heating element with a second tube, comprising a first tube with a first volume, wherein a second volume is provided between the first and the second tube, the heating element comprising a central core around which the second tube is arranged, and wherein the tube-in-tube shaped heating element comprises in the range of 1-100 elongated first tubes, wherein the first tubes are configured to allow transport of a liquid through the first tubes, and wherein the second tube is configured to allow transport of a heating medium in the second part for heating the first tubes.

Use of a treatment device comprising (i) a digester, (ii) an energy converter functionally connected to the digester, (iii) a heating device functionally connected to the digester, the heating device comprising a first heating zone and a second heating zone, and ( iv) a first heat exchanger, operatively linked to the energy converter and the heating device, the first heating zone comprising an elongated channel, for the treatment of manure.

Use of a method for treating manure, comprising (i) supplying a manure to a digester in a first process and generating digestate and energy carrier, (ii) generating thermal energy in an energy in a second process converter by converting at least a portion of the energy carrier, (iii) passing in a third process, which is a continuous process, at least a portion of the digestate through an elongated channel of a first heating zone, heating the digestate therein via a first heat exchanger with at least part of the thermal energy, thereby obtaining a heated digestate, and (iv) heating in a fourth process at least a part of the heated digestate in a second heating zone with at least a part of the thermal energy, to provide a treated digestate with one or more or (a) a 5 log 10 cfu / g reduction or higher reduction of Enteroccocus faecalis, (b) a 51 log 10 cfu / g reduction or higher reduction of Salmonella Senftenberg 775W, and (c) a 3 log 10 cfu / g reduction or higher reduction for the parvovirus, compared to untreated digestate.

A treated digestate obtainable with the method according to any one of claims 1-12.