If you’ve been on holiday to Cornwall then the chances are you will have heard of Sharps Brewery as their beers are synonymous with the area.  In particular, their most popular beer Doom Bar has helped to drive their popularity with them now being the largest brewer of cask conditioned beer in the South West.

Biochemical Methane Potential (BMP) tests to assess the biogas yields from the brewery effluentSharps Brewery are committed to environmental sustainability with their environmental policy being to make “great beer using the least amount of energy and water”.  Whilst they are proud to already be one of the UK’s most energy efficient breweries, they have recognised the potential role that anaerobic digestion (AD) can play in further reducing energy costs through utilisation of the biogas.

AD has rapidly gained attention in the brewing and distilling industry as the high temperature, organic strength and biodegradability of the effluents make this ideally suited for biogas production.  Government incentives such as Renewable Obligation Certificates (ROC’s), help to make this technology particularly appealing.

Aqua Enviro were appointed by Sharps to carry out Biochemical Methane Potential (BMP) tests to evaluate the biogas yields from the effluent.  These tests showed high yields of >300 litres of methane per kg COD, which demonstrated the suitability of this technology.

UASB AD Pilot reactor used to assess biogas qualityTo assess the quality and composition of the biogas produced a pilot rig was operated.  This upflow anaerobic sludge blanket (UASB) pilot reactor was acclimatised to the effluent and the composition of the biogas was monitored to determine whether gas scrubbing would be required to remove contaminants such as hydrogen sulphide.

Stuart Howe, head brewer at Sharps say’s “these trials have given us the necessary information to be able to evaluate the proposed scheme provide the necessary information to the tendering contractors”.  The installation of an AD facility is now planned by the end of the year.