Dairy Plant Captures Biogas from Anaerobic Digestion

Laticínios Bela Vista Ltda. is the fifth largest dairy food producer in Brazil with three plants processing over 3 million liters of milk per day. The company makes over 100 different products for Laticínios Bela Vista's brands: Piracanjuba, Pirakids, Leitbom, and others.

Challenge

​Laticínios Bela Vista expanded their plant in Bela Vista de Goiás and evaluated wastewater treatment options that would meet the company’s commitment to sustainable growth and protection of the environment. Laticínios Bela Vista selected an anaerobic digestion treatment system proven to treat dairy wastewater. Anaerobic digestion also provides the added value of biogas that can be used as a fuel. The digester required a containment liner, process piping, and a gastight cover to capture the biogas.

Solution

Evoqua’s Geomembrane Technologies was contracted to design and install the liner, piping, and cover for the 70 m x 140 m (230 ft x 460 ft) digester. The built-to-last geomembrane liner was especially designed for wastewater containment. Piping was fitted in the digester for influent, sludge, and effluent systems with supports and penetrations compatible with the geomembrane liner. The insulated floating cover​ was designed to collect the biogas generated by the digester, while providing safe access and low maintenance requirements for plants operators. The cover was custom-designed with hatches for mixers and ports for sampling. All components were made of materials sourced in Brazil.

Results