Trailer Boosts Biogas Potential

Trailer Boosts Biogas Potential The Liquid Slurry Semi-Trailer can make biogas production a reality for dairy and swine operations without their own biogas facilities. The 80,000-lb. tandem axle trailer can pick up liquid manure quickly, unload even faster, and return the finished digestate to the originating farm for use as fertilizer. “We partnered with VM Tarm, a Danish firm, to access liquid manure handling technology developed over the past 30 years,” says Mike Frombach, Advance Tank Production (ATP). “There are quite a few biogas companies coming into the Canadian and U.S. markets.” Traditionally, the cost of moving manure has been a barrier to profitability for non-site-specific biogas systems. Adding Tarm’s pumping systems to the back end of ATP’s tanker trailer reduces time and costs. “With our on-board pumping system, we can load at 3,300 gal./min. and unload at 4,100 gal./min.,” says Frombach. “It takes roughly 8 min. to load and unload versus 20 to 30 min. at each facility with a conventional system.” In addition to speed, the new trailer eliminates the need for infrastructure investments at the originating farm. It also offers biosecurity and labor-saving features. The load/unload boom arm is remotely controlled from the cab. “We’ve eliminated the driver or helpers climbing down from the cab to position heavy arms or heavy hoses,” says Frombach. “We’ve eliminated a biohazard of traveling farm to farm and made the operation more operator-friendly.” Most existing biogas systems have been designed around the manure production of a single operation. Frombach says that’s changing. “Building a central biodigester for multiple livestock operations is gaining steam,” he reports. “Commercial operators and co-ops of multiple farms are seeing an opportunity. Farmers like getting the digestate back as a clean fertilizer.” Biogas systems are most commonly associated with large dairy operations. However, that may be changing. “I’m working with one customer who’s locating a biogas facility in an area surrounded by hog farms,” says Frombach. “Most such facilities are looking at purchasing from 5 to 10 trailers.” The trailers start at around $395,000 to $400,000 for the 80,000-lb. trailer. Frombach notes that many variations are available based on maximum weight and other factors. Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Advanced Tank Products, (ph 800-332-8385; Mfrombach@aepl.ca; https://advanceengineeredproducts.com).

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