QS stands for Quorum Sensing. Bacteria constantly release signalling molecules. Once their concentration passes a threshold, the cells know there are enough of them, and only then do they act together: forming biofilms and breaking down substrate efficiently.
That is how we see consulting: alone you move little, together you move a lot. Not marketing talk, but the way we work, even when the path isn’t always straight.
How we work
Meticulous, as an independent team with complementary expertise: biology & process engineering, economics & permitting, networking & knowledge exchange.
Projects
How far can a digester’s loading be pushed? Every plant has its own solutions, but the wheel doesn’t have to be reinvented each time.
Process parameters
Complete digester analysis (TS, VS, pH, volatile fatty acids by GC and titration, FOS/TAC ratio, nutrients and trace elements, NH₄-N)
Organic loading rate and hydraulic retention time
Substrate analysis and calculation of the “Synchronmasse” (our own approach): does the feed ration match the digester volume?
On-site biogas yield tests
Viscosity testing
Digester loading limits
Advice on the selection of technical/ biological products to improve yield for highly loaded digesters
Lots of testing
The aim is to unlock the remaining 7–10 % of yield from the substrate while speeding up degradation, using biological and process-engineering measures. The starting point is always: more hard-to-digest input, less maize.
Products
Products we use to speed up degradation in the digester by up to 60 %
Graph degradation scheme
ProBios
Liquid additive for lasting stimulation of the bacteria
ProBios increases bacterial activity and metabolic rate, leading to stronger clusters and a larger population. This makes the biology less sensitive to inhibitors such as ammonia, so the substrate is converted faster and more efficiently.
Suprajet
Hydrodynamic cavitation (HC) via a Venturi nozzle to break down fibrous substrates
SBGx
SBGx by swissbiogas is a powdered reagent based on iron(II) oxide FeO (30 %) and iron(III) oxide Fe₂O₃ (30 %) for binding hydrogen sulphide. Its iron content is very high (see RIIM factor, Dresden University); according to the manufacturer, its reaction rate is comparable to that of iron chloride.
Other products (not listed in detail): chelated micronutrients, enzymes