The BioCapsule®’s innovative digester

AtArkeale, our mission is to turnsmall-scale anaerobic digestioninto a simple, accessible and sustainable solution. TheBioCapsule®is the culmination of this ambition.Atruedistillation of innovation,it offers local communities a‘low-tech’andhyper-localsolutionto increase their energy self-sufficiency. 

To deliver on this promise of simplicity, our experts had to overcome a major technical challenge: completely rethinking the heart of the system –the digester – where anaerobic bacteria break down the material. By reinventing its structure, we have created a system of unprecedented robustness, capable of optimising performance where conventional technologies reach their limits.

The challenge of single-feed digestion  

Most traditional anaerobic digestion units were designed to process agricultural mixtures. When attempting to feed them with just one type of bio-waste (food scraps, unsold food, etc.), complications quickly arise: 

       • Bio-waste tends toclump together, creating compacted areas that are difficult to break down

•Mineral depositsaccumulate at the bottom of the tanks, reducing the digester’s usable volume 

These issues eventually block thebiogas outletandisolate the bacteria from the material, thereby preventing its breakdown.  

The result?A drop in the unit’s performance and frequent breakdowns, requiring extensivemaintenance workandcostly operational shutdowns. 

Arkeale’sinnovation: an underground, vertical digester 

To resolve these issues, our teams have devoted several years of research to designing aninnovative digester.TheBioCapsule® uses adry-processdigester: compact, vertical and 100 per cent underground. 

1. A compact, underground design

Thanks to itsvertical,fully undergroundstructure, the BioCapsule® occupies aminimal footprint of just 6 m x 6 m. It therefore blends seamlessly into the landscape, whilst taking advantage ofthe soil’s thermal inertiato maintain a stable temperature – an essential condition for the bacteria to function optimally. 

2. Improved homogenisation of the material 

Our continuous dry-process technology ensures a smooth flow of waste. By preventing the formation of material clumps, we ensure that every particle of bio-waste remains in contact with the anaerobic bacteria tomaximise biogas productionandprevent blockages in the digester.  

What are the benefits for local areas? 

Choosing the BioCapsule® means opting for a robust solution designed to last. Thanks to its innovative digester, our solution enables:

• Reduced cleaning costs and simplified digester maintenance 

     • Optimise thermal performance by reducing the energy required to heat the digester

• Achieve greater energy self-sufficiency with a system that is fully compatible with local bio-waste