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THE CLEAN FUEL CONCEPT – BIOGAS BRÅLANDA - MEETS TODAY’S AND TOMORROW’S NEEDS FOR ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY FUELS, AND INTRODUCES AN INNOVATIVE CONCEPT FOR THE EXTRACTION OF BIOGAS FROM MANURE.

The Clean Fuel Concept provides a unique concept for the extraction of biogas for motor vehicles. On Dalboslätten, one of Sweden’s largest cohesive agricultural areas, the technology, structure and methodology required for meeting a heavily increasing need for alternative fuels, are being developed.

The Clean Fuel Concept is based on tried and tested technologies, in order to ensure quality and efficiency. Within the Clean Fuel Concept, several farms are linked to one common pipeline in order to be able to deliver large volumes of biogas. The Clean Fuel Concept is an innovative concept for winning biogas on small farming businesses. The flexibility of small-scale enterprise is combined with the advantages of large-scale production.

HOW DOES IT WORK?

The Clean Fuel Concept is a co-operation with farmers from the Dalboslätten in west Sweden. The manure and the digesters are located on the farms, and the biogas is transported by means of a pipeline. The short distances make the system both cost-effective and environmentally friendly in comparison to methods with which the manure has to be transported over long distances.

THE MARKET CALLS – THE CLEAN FUEL CONCEPT RESPONDS

Companies in the automotive sector are now clearly communicating their need for alternative fuels. The Volvo Group was the first to develop carbon-dioxide neutral demo lorries that were run on biogas-combined fuels. Within the framework of Volvo AB’s program for engines powered by environmentally friendly fuels, Leif Johansson, Volvo’s Managing Director, recommends second generation bio-fuels, but emphasizes the lack of supply. The Clean Fuel Concept combines the concept and the technology, and is prepared to meet the need.

AREA WITH THE RIGHT PREREQUISITES

When it comes to winning biogas from waste and sewage sludge, Vänersborg and Trollhättan together have more than ten years’ worth of experience. By integrating the Clean Fuel Concept in the existing gas network, the infrastructure for biogas is expanded and made more efficient. Manure from agricultural businesses will be transported to rural areas in the form of energy.

AGRICULTURE MEETS RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGY

As one of Sweden’s largest cohesive agricultural areas, with a large production of manure, Dalboslätten provides the right conditions for the Clean Fuel Concept. The number and proximity of farming businesses provides a good foundation for the concept. Developing agricultural areas thus becomes an integral part of research and technical development.

The Clean Fuel Concept is based on reliable technology, and goes a long way towards developing tomorrow’s solutions. Among others, possibilities for optimizing the heat exchanger, the pumping and grinding system and the decomposition process will be researched. As we speak, Swedish technology companies are developing a digester that is specifically designed for farm-level biogas extraction. After the technology has been tried and tested, the Clean Fuel Concept, including its structure and method, may be made commercially available to other interested parties – on a national as well as international basis.

MONEY TO EARN

There is a considerable demand for renewable fuels, and calculated profits look good. With today’s consumer prices, investors will make a profit that greatly exceeds the banks’ interest rates. The Clean Fuel Concept is a profitable proposition.

A NEW PERSPECTIVE – SUBTERRANEOUS INFRASTRUCTURE

The Clean Fuel Concept entails that farms will be connected through a system of underground pipes. Each farm or group of farms has its own digester, where the manure is subjected to the decomposition process. The crude gas is fed into a pipeline, by which it is transported to a central processing installation, where it is treated to comply with vehicle-fuel standards, e.g. by removing the carbon-dioxide.

Subsequently, the biogas is distributed through the pipeline to filling stations or gas suppliers. Gradually, more and more farming businesses can be integrated in the infrastructure. The material that is subjected to the decomposition process consists of manure from cattle, pigs and poultry, as well as other organic waste materials. If energy prices increase, different types of crops such as hemp can be used to generate biogas. The infrastructure is already in place, with the network connected, ready to meet the increased demand. An efficient use of farm resources contributes to reducing carbon-dioxide- and nitrogen emission levels. The processed crops can also be used for fertilization purposes, as an alternative to artificial fertilizer.

STEP 1

• Biogas extraction on Dalboslätten: 20 GWh/year equals approximately 2.1 million liters of petrol
• 130,000 tons of manure = 2 million m3 of biogas/year, This equals the annual fuel consumption of:
  • 30 lorries
  • 30 buses
  • 250 personal vehicles
• Reduced carbon-dioxide emissions = 14,978 tons

THE FUTURE

• Potential generation on Dalboslätten: 200 GWh/year equals approximately 22 million liters of petrol
• 230,000 tons of manure = 3.4 million m3 of biogas/year
• 8,000 hectares of crop for decomposition purposes = 200,000 tons of crop = 18 million m3 of biogas/year
• This equals the annual consumption of:
  • 8,000 personal vehicles
  • 100 buses