Anaerobic wastewater treatment with energy generation
Appenzeller Milk Specialities AG
Probably the spiciest cheese in Switzerland is produced at Appenzeller Käse GmbH. Around the Alpine stone stand the cows that are responsible for the delicious raw milk of Appenzell cheese. In addition to this important ingredient, however, the company’s success also includes the traditional craft, which is over 700 years old, the sophisticated maturing process, as well as the care with a herbal brine, the recipe of which is always kept secret. To ensure that cheese remains as delicious as we know it in the future, the Variety Organization places great emphasis on both preserving tradition and progress. Since 1942, the Variety Organization has supported these values and promoted the East Swiss cheese specialty.
Initial situation
With the steady growth of the company, the wastewater volumes also grew until the municipal wastewater treatment plant could no longer process the abundance of wastewater. Appenzeller Käse GmbH became aware of FlexBio through the company’s Swiss subsidiary. After determining the potential using our test plant, the decision was made to install the first wastewater treatment plant. In the meantime, a test plant has also been installed at the company’s second location and the project is continuing successfully. In the future, high-calorific substrates are also to be treated in order to further increase the company’s own biogas production.
Data and facts
Wastewater information
- Pollution COD: 2,000 – 2,500 mg/l
- Purified water (indirect line) COD: < 600 mg/l
Own energy generation
- 130,000 kWh thermal per year
- Biogas production: 2.6 m³/h
Processing capacity
- 25.500 m³ per year
CO2 Saving
- 27.000 kg per year
FlexBio wastewater treatment
- Construction time of 2 months (completion 2022)
- One FlexBio container including anaerobic pre-treatment, gas storage, gas treatment, biogas boiler and control technology (type FLEXBIO-AF-100 HC)
What our customers say
“Working with Flexbio was very pleasant. Starting with the trials on the farm, through the preliminary project, where the authorities were also involved, to the on-time implementation and commissioning of the plant, everything worked. The specifications in the wastewater discharge are constantly complied with. For our needs today, we are still convinced it was the right choice.”
Urs Imlig
