Brewery resource and energy recovery system

Abstract

In this paper, a bio-gas and spent grain utilization system for a brewery is presented. The bio-gas component of the system consists of a generator to produce electricity for sale through the Feed-In Tariff program offered by the Ontario Power Authority. The spent grain component consists of a gasification system to produce syngas, which will reduce the natural gas requirements of the facility. A membrane bioreactor will be used downstream of the current anaerobic digester in order to eliminate the municipal surcharges on the effluent water and allow for water recycling. The design was analyzed using a net present value (NPV) analysis. The results showed a capital cost of $8.9 million for the overall system, a payback period of 8 years, and a 20-year NPV of $24 million. Recommendations are made as to how the economic and environmental benefits to the brewery could be improved.