Exeter Agri-Energy is a fifth-generation family farm in the USA with around 1,000 dairy cows. The biogas plant connected to the farm has two stainless steel digesters with a capacity of 1,500 m3 and 8,300 m3.
The substrate consists of cattle manure from the farm itself and food waste from the surrounding area. Manure and organic materials are mixed in the anaerobic digestion tank, heated to around 38 degrees Celsius and stirred periodically for 15 to 21 days. The biogas produced in this process is converted into electricity on site and fed into the grid. In this way, up to 800 households can be supplied with electricity and about 300 households with heat every year. Waste produced during the fermentation process is further processed into animal bedding and plant fertiliser in downstream processes.
Four GIANTMIX AMX agitators were installed to optimally stir up such large quantities of substrate. Thanks to an agitator blade diameter of 1.6 m and the low rotation speed of 82 rpm, the agitator is ideally suited for large containers and substrates with a high dry matter content. Another advantage is the horizontal and vertical adjustability of the agitator. As long as no slurry can be spread, the tank in Exeter serves as an intermediate storage. Adjustment of the agitator's inclination is indispensable for optimal agitation and homogenisation of the substrate, even with changing fill levels.
Why did Exeter Agri-Energy choose SUMA agitators?
"In my opinion, SUMA has more "real-world" experience than any other agitator manufacturer. With the size of our tanks, we were reliant on SUMA's experience to design the agitation. After a few teething problems, we were able to quickly bring our system online together with SUMA. The cooperation was excellent!".
(John Wintle, Plant Manager)
Technical data
| Container: | Ø 40 x 7.5 m |
| Substrate: | 62.5% Cattle slurry |
| 37.5% Food waste | |
| Agitator: | 4x GIANTMIX AMX |
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