CHP for wastewater treatment plants
smartblock® combined heat and power units for wastewater treatment plants (WWTP)
The use of a CHP unit in sewage treatment plants allows the optimal energy utilization of the sewage gas produced. The energy efficiency of a CHP unit is superior to feeding gas into the natural gas grid, particularly in small municipal sewage treatment plants. Our CHP units offer an optimum solution for operation as a combined heat and power plant (CHP). Generating and using heat from sewage gas on site is a cheap and efficient way to drive the digestion process and dry the sewage sludge. This closed cycle makes sewage treatment plants more energy efficient and environmentally friendly.
Many wastewater treatment plants have unused heat potential in which CHPs provide additional benefits (see also VSA position paper: Utilizing the heat potential of wastewater! Heat network with CHP support).
Efficient use of sewage gas in CHP units
Benefit from these modern energy solutions, which have been specially designed for use in wastewater treatment plants. As wastewater produces sewage gas through a digestion process, this is the perfect basis for making the entire treatment process as economical and environmentally friendly as possible by using the sewage gas produced. The combustion of sewage gas in the CHP enables it to be converted into heat and electricity, thus reducing the amount of energy that has to be purchased. In this way, you can ensure your own supply of electricity and heat - in combination with battery storage, even on demand. Or you can support the supply of electrical energy to the grid if production exceeds your own requirements.
As experienced specialists, we at 42technology are happy to provide you with detailed advice. We will plan and install your combined heat and power unit for you on site, tailored to your energy requirements. Find out more about the benefits and individual application options here or send us an inquiry directly.
smartblock® CHP units for sewage gas
Thanks to standardized series production, the smartblock units are characterized by very low investment and operating costs. The control system options offer various possibilities for integrating and remotely monitoring the CHP unit. A complex and expensive higher-level control system can be avoided.
With smartblock 16 to smartblock 100s, the smartblock series from KW Energie forms a product range in the power segment for electrical outputs from 7.5 kW to 90 kW and an emergency power option. This corresponds to a sewage gas output of 100 - 700 m³ per day.
The advantages of combined heat and power units for wastewater treatment plants at a glance:
Circuit diagram: Mains parallel operation with emergency power functionality
smartblock® s series as an emergency power system
Emergency power must be given higher priority at wastewater treatment plants in the future. Public grids are becoming increasingly susceptible to short or long-term power failures. Emergency power operation ensures that sewage treatment plant operation or important plant components are maintained, thus minimizing the risk of damage to the plant and the environment. The smartblock CHP for sewage treatment plants has an emergency power function which, in combination with a customized design of the connection box, can supply the most important consumers of the sewage treatment plant with power. When the grid returns, the CHP unit automatically synchronizes back to the grid without interruption.
Find out more about our emergency CHP units.
Gas treatment
CHP units at wastewater treatment plants require gas treatment in order to avoid unnecessary damage caused by sulfur and siloxanes and thus increased maintenance effort on the gas engines and apparatus. For this purpose, 42technology offers ready-to-connect gas purification modules matched to the sewage gas volume and quality. The gas cleaning module usually consists of a gas cooling system for dehumidification, a gas pressure increase and, if necessary, a gas heating system. The dry gas is then filtered by means of activated carbon.
Gas cooling removes moisture from the sewage gas by keeping it below the dew point temperature. Condensate in downstream gas lines is avoided and suspended solids are separated. The activated carbon filter removes pollutants from the process gas, thus increasing operational reliability. The gas treatment module is permanently technically tight and manufactured in compliance with SVGW standards. Installation in a container is also possible. The sophisticated design allows easy handling and maintenance.
Circuit diagram: Mains parallel operation without emergency power functionality
A control that can do a lot
The smartblock control is equipped with additional functions that allow to control and monitor entire plants. The following additional functions are optionally available:
Additional benefits: Emergency power for sewage treatment plants
In the future, the use of the emergency power supply function for wastewater treatment plants will become increasingly important. Small plants belonging to municipalities or municipal associations often have no concepts for emergency operation in the event of a prolonged power failure, e.g. due to a storm. As a result, the incoming water volume can no longer be processed and may have to be discharged directly into public waters.
Combined heat and power plants with an emergency power function are a sustainable solution to this problem.
Using 42technology CHP for wastewater treatment plants as required
42technology is your Swiss energy partner with many years of experience in consulting, individual calibration and installation of state-of-the-art energy solutions. We support you in combining efficient wastewater treatment with clean and local energy generation with a combined heat and power unit / CHP for wastewater treatment plants. In addition to CHP units , we offer other modern technologies that drive forward your self-sufficient energy supply and ensure a constant supply of energy. These include outdoor battery storage systems, emergency power systems and protection devices. Save yourself the costly purchase of electricity produced elsewhere using natural gas. Use your needs-based combined heat and power unit from 42technology for your energy supply!