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DRAFT
CHAPTER 6

Digestate
6.1

Introduction

82

6.2

Benefits of digestate for agricultural land

83

6.3
6.3.1
6.3.2
6.3.3
6.3.4

Separating the digestate

Whole digestate
Liquor
Fibre
Cake

83
84
84
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85

6.4
6.4.1
6.4.2
6.4.3
6.4.4
6.4.5
6.4.6
6.4.7

Separation techniques
Screw press
Belt press
Centrifuge
Bio-drying
Evaporation
Membrane filtration and reverse osmosis
Chemical separation

85
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86

6.5
6.5.1
6.5.2
6.5.3
6.5.4
6.5.5
6.5.6
6.5.7

Application of digestate
Bandspreading
Tankering
Trailing shoe
Dribble bars
Disc injectors
Tine injectors
Manure-type spreaders

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6.6
6.6.1
6.6.2
6.6.3
6.6.4

Variations in digestate with sector

Digestate from farm slurries and crops
Digestate from the water industry
Digestate from source-segregated waste
Digestate from mixed waste

87
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89
90

6.7
6.7.1
6.7.2
6.7.3

Storage and transport

Storing liquid digestate
Storing dewatered digestate
Transporting digestate

90
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6.1 Introduction
The anaerobic digestion of biodegradable materials produces two key outputs,
namely biogas and a nutrient-rich biofertiliser known as digestate. Wet AD
systems produce digestate in a liquid form (whole digestate) that can be
separated to produce liquor and fibre/cake fractions, whilst dry AD systems may
produce digestate which is entirely fibre-based (although many will have a liquor
fraction as well).
The principle that what goes in must come out is common to all digestates,
in that the majority of plant nutrients present in the feedstock will transfer to
the resulting digestate, with the exception that some nitrogen may be lost as
ammonia and sulphur as hydrogen sulphide. While the digestion process renders
nitrogen in digestate more available for crop uptake, it is equally true that heavy
metals such as copper and zinc, and any non-degradable contamination such as
plastics, will pass through into the digestate. Therefore, the better the quality of
feedstock, the better the quality of digestate produced.

Requirements for both producers and users of digestate vary across the UK and
guidance is available from Defra, SEPA (Scottish Environment Protection Agency),
DARD (Northern Ireland Department of Agriculture and Rural Development) and
the Welsh Government.
Rules vary depending on the nature of the digestate and the level of control
in production. For example, high quality digestate made from approved
biodegradable materials, wastes and purpose-grown crops may be used outside
of Environmental Permitting Regulations if the relevant Quality Protocols
are followed. Conversely, other waste-derived digestates, for example from
mechanical biological treatment (MBT) facilities, should only be applied to land
under prior notification or permitting. It is also customary for digestate suppliers
to provide end-users with a recent analysis from an accredited laboratory, as
agronomic value will vary depending to some extent on the AD process and to a
considerable extent on the nature of the feedstock.
Compliance with standards such as PAS 110 may only partly meet the needs of
end-user farmers. This is because PAS 110 relates primarily to product safety rather
than to agronomic value and so farmers may require more information, particularly
regarding NPK (nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium) quantity and form. Producers
selling digestate may also have to comply with regulations concerning product
labelling and usability and should refer to the appropriate guidance.

DRAFT

It is easy to assume that as a biofertiliser rich in essential growth nutrients,

digestate would be automatically of interest to farmers. However, some farmers
and landowners will have many years of experience of conventional fertilisers
and may need convincing that AD-derived digestate is safe to use, cost-effective
and efficient. Overall, different crops and different soil types require different
fertiliser regimes digestate cannot therefore be a one-size-fits-all product and
AD operators must familiarise themselves with the market opportunities that
exist both locally and, for large operators, regionally.

There is also a long-established professional fertiliser market with which the

AD sector might be able to integrate. Farmers are widely encouraged to seek
advice from those experienced with spreading digestate. There are a number
of voluntary organisations such as the Fertiliser Adviser Certification Scheme
(FACTS) and the Sustainable Organics Resources Partnership (SORP) that work
towards best practice for organics application. Although non-statutory, using
sector best practice can be a useful part of due diligence and those that are
serious about either using digestate or offering it into the fertiliser market should
employ qualified advice.
More information can be found at www.adbiogas.co.uk/ad-guide-links/.

Further information is available at www.adbiogas.co.uk/ad-guide-links/.

Even if digestate is used in a closed-loop within a farm on which an AD facility

is located, it is still necessary under codes of practice and farm management
plans for the nutrient content to be known and for digestate to be used only to
meet crop requirements. Once the nutrient value of digestates and the degree of
variability (based on long-term data) is understood, then farmers will become
more confident about its use.
Overall, any material applied to land, including digestate, must not cause either
pollution or harm to human health and must also comply with the relevant
animal by-products regulations. In Nitrate Vulnerable Zones (NVZ), operators
must comply with mandatory rules and only apply digestates at certain times and
according to crop requirement. There is also a requirement to keep records that
enable regulators to check what has been applied.

As a general rule, the use of fertilisers, including digestate, must comply with
a range of legislative requirements both for agricultural best practice and
environmental protection (cross-compliance requirements can be complex and
cannot be defined in this publication).
There are multiple advantages to the application of digestate on agricultural land,
from increasing nutrient value to improving the physical structure of the soil.
These benefits have been widely recognised across continental Europe and North
America where on-farm use of digestate is well-established. British farmers are
also now being encouraged to consider whole farm issues, and so interest in
digestate spreading is increasing.

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Picture 1. Good quality digestate

following a well-controlled digestion
process

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Picture 2. Poor quality digestate

following a poorly-controlled digestion
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Quality of digestate is not only dependent on feedstock but also upon the efficiency
of the digestion process. A well-digested material with high conversion of volatile
solids will be stabilised and should be low in odour. However, a poorly digested
product will retain readily degradable organic material and risks further degradation
(and therefore release of odour) during storage or after application to land.
Poor digestate risks being a source of odour, may self-heat due to continued
biological activity, and may have a high level of residual biomethane potential
(RBP), which reflects a potential to release unwelcome greenhouse gases, such
as methane and carbon dioxide, into the atmosphere. The following pictures
show similarly derived good and poor digestate resulting from a well-controlled
process and a failing process respectively.

6.2 Benefits of digestate for

agricultural land
Digestate produced through AD is a nutrient-rich substance commonly used
on agricultural land as a fertiliser, replacing synthetic fertilisers and/or soil
conditioners. It contains useful quantities of major plant nutrients including N, P,
K, magnesium (Mg), sulphur (S) and trace elements. The nutrient content of any
digestate is a reflection of the nature of the feedstock subjected to digestion.

Reduced weed seeds: Most weed seeds present in raw slurry are
killed during the AD process, particularly where that process includes a
pasteurisation step, saving on herbicide-related costs.
Reduced pathogens: AD kills bacteria such as salmonella, e-coli and
parasites including tapeworm, which are potentially present in untreated
waste and cause infections to farm animals where untreated manure is
spread. Digestate from processes with a pasteurisation step will have a very
high and demonstrable level of biosecurity.
Greater availability of nutrients: During anaerobic conditions, organic
forms of N are converted into ammonium-N (NH4). Plant uptake of N from
digestate is comparable to uptake from commercial fertiliser and can be
a more predictable source of N than raw slurry. It should be noted that,
depending on the temperature and pH of the digestion process, NH4 can be
altered into free ammonia (NH3) which will volatilise. Spreading digestate
with high ammonia concentrations can lead to odour release and loss of
nutrients. In order to avoid risk of nuisance, good practice such as sub-soil
application of liquid digestates is advised.

DRAFT

Some nutrients (particularly N) will be chemically transformed, greatly increasing

their availability for crop uptake. Additional benefits of using digestate on
agricultural land in place of conventional fertilisers include:
Financial returns: Although there is generally an additional cost of
applying digestate compared to bagged fertiliser, WRAP estimates the
nutrient value of digestate as equivalent to 120 per hectare (2012). In one
case, purchase of fertilisers was reduced by about 80%.

Enhanced soil quality: Digestate enhances soil quality more effectively

than conventional bagged fertilisers. AD-derived digestates have a high
biological component which contributes to soil health and the creation of
microscopic biofilms within soils, thereby enhancing soil moisture retention
and reducing the risk of erosion and compaction.
Increased crop yields: While the use of conventional bagged fertilisers
is largely intended to maximise yield, studies have shown that at the same
level of nutrition digestates can further enhance crops. Of course, results
will vary between crop types and will reflect seasonal conditions. A range
of trials is being undertaken in the UK to demonstrate the pattern of nutrient
availability in digestate.
Odour reduction: Compared to raw manure, the AD process decreases
the volatile organic content of organic material and stabilises it so that it
does not degrade after application to land, which can otherwise result in the
subsequent release of odorous greenhouse gases.
Improved manure homogeneity: The decomposition of solids and
decrease in viscosity make digestate easier to spread compared to raw
slurries; it also requires less power, reducing both energy and costs.

6.3 Separating the digestate

Digestate can either be applied to land whole or separated into solids and
liquids, generally referred to as fibre and liquor. Separating the digestate using
mechanical, biological or thermal equipment can have a number of benefits that
can justify the cost of the additional equipment, including:
Selective storage of flowable and stackable materials;
Improved pumpability of separated liquor;
Partition of nutrients at different ratios in the liquid/solid phases; and
Reduced storage volume of liquids compared to whole digestate.
Separation is usually carried out at the AD facility as the two products may be
sent to different outlets. As wet AD systems receive predominantly sludges and
slurries, dewatering may generate relatively little solid material, with a typical
ratio of >5:1 liquor:solid.
Facilities handling purpose-grown crops such as maize silage will generate
a significant amount of solids that can be separated, while dry AD systems
handling comparatively coarse and woody input material may predominantly
generate solids with little or no liquid, with ratios closer to <1:3 liquor:solid.
In summary, digestate from different AD technologies can have quite different
characteristics. Changes in inputs can have a significant impact on the mass
balance of the process which, in turn, can have a significant positive or negative
impact on the business.
PAS 110 defines three types of digestate fraction: whole digestate, fibre fraction
and liquor. There is another type of digestate fraction called cake, a term that
comes from the water industry which has a subtle nuance in definition. These
terms are explored in more detail below.

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6.3.1 Whole digestate
Whole digestate is the digested liquid that comes out of the digester without any
form of separation. Typically this will be between 2% dry solids and 6% dry
solids in a wet digester and 18% to 23% in a dry, with varying concentrations
of N, P and K.
6.3.2 Liquor
Liquid digestate, known as liquor, contains a diverse range of nutrients and can
be used as a liquid fertiliser or, due to its high water content (low DS content),
for fertigation on agricultural land. This generally means application to land
by tanker or irrigation system, respectively. Liquor containing particles or
coagulants would need to be pre-filtered for fertigation, while liquor used as
a liquid fertiliser via greenhouse microbore irrigation systems may need to be
fine-filtered to prevent blockage of feeder pipes.
As with any fertiliser containing N and other plant nutrients, the liquor should only
be used when there is agronomic demand, in certain locations and on certain
types of soil. It should be applied in accordance with good agricultural practice
and as part of an integrated fertiliser programme, to ensure that the optimum
nutrient requirements for the crop
are supplied. It is good practice for
the farmer or operator to regularly
analyse the soil and the liquor, to
assess the appropriate application
rate and to quantify the amount of
chemical fertiliser to be applied
to crops and grassland, as overapplication causes vegetation
scorching. Many areas in the
UK are Nitrate Vulnerable Zones
(NVZ) which require applications
Picture 3. Salad leaf production using
hydroponics with AD-derived liquid fertiliser
of N to be limited and recorded.

Liquor is generally used on the farm on which it was produced although a potentially
wider market is developing through AD operations working in partnership with the
agricultural industry. The liquid fraction from dry AD facilities tends to be relatively
high value. Fertiliser value depends on the feedstock but generally, NPK is likely
to be in the order of 35:15:35 (kg/t) as freely available N:P2O5:K2O. In continental
Europe, some sites have been certificated as producers of organic liquid fertiliser.

Table 2: Typical analysis of matured

digestate from dry AD

Factor
Units
Finished compost

post-AD processing
pH

Conductivity
mScm-1

7.67.7
c.2.5

DRAFT
Dry solids (DS)

43.257.9

Organic matter

41.056.6

Total-N

kgt-1DS

8.813.0

Available-N

kgt-1DS

1.01.5

Phosphate (P2O5)

kgt-1DS

6.38.7

Potassium (K20)

kgt-1DS

7.212.0

Calcium

kgt-1DS

12.6131.6

Magnesium

kgt-1DS

4.56.1

Table 1: Analysis of liquor from dry AD

Sulphate

kgt-1DS

<0.053.7

Parameter

Unit

Dry AD liquid fraction

Cadmium

gt-1DS

0.10.2

Dry substance

% FS

1215%

Copper

gt-1DS

24.249.9

Organic DM

% TS

5065%

Nickel

gt-1DS

6.613.4

Total Nitrogen

mg/l

4,000 6,000

Lead

gt-1DS

23.036.4

NH4-N

mg/l

1,000 3,500

Zinc

gt-1DS

42.483.1

BOD

mg/l

7,500 10,000

Chromium

gt-1DS

COD

mg/l

90,000 115,000

Mercury

gt-1DS

7.5 8.5

pH Value

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6.3.3 Fibre
Fibre refers to the coarse screened material from whole digestate and will
typically represent 10% to 40% of the total solids material in digestate. Because
it tends to be primarily long fibre material, the most useful application is as a soil
conditioner. Fibre has the advantage of being stackable and can be transported
by lorry rather than tankers and easily stored on site or on fields.

Picture 6. High grade horticultural

products from dry AD digestate

6.3.4 Cake
The term cake is generally used in the water industry, whereas in the waste
industry the term fibre is more commonly encountered. That said, when sourceseparated food waste is anaerobically digested the output is more cake than
fibre, and so the expression is becoming more frequently used in the waste
sector.

DRAFT
Picture 4. Solids fraction (fibre)
following the pressing of digestate
derived from the AD of maize

It is common to further treat fibre with post aeration and this is usually required
for crop-based systems due to the very slow break down of lignin. Digestate from
dry digestion is also usually referred to as fibre and is often further treated by an
aerobic composting stage post digestion.
Dry AD digestate can not only in be used agriculture but can also qualify as
finished compost, as defined by UK PAS100 or Rottegrade 4-5 (commonly
accepted standards of usability and stability). Examples include horticultural
growing media, turf and landscape products, as well as soil blends.

This is not just a semantic difference; when referring to fibre we usually mean
the large indigestible fibres (usually lignin) that are separated out by a relatively
coarse screen following digestion. Fibre tends to have a low agronomic value as
most of the nitrogen and phosphorus are retained within the liquor fraction.

When talking about cake, we are referring to the solids fraction of the whole
digestate, including the fine particulates and cell mater. Cake is usually produced
by centrifuge or gravity thickening belts (see below) that can capture >95% of the
solids material. In this way the majority of the N and P are retained in the cake
fraction. Fibre fractions are usually a by-product of removing large particles that
would clog up irrigation systems, whereas cake is a desired end-product. A good
cake product should be well stabilised, black in colour, friable and resemble
soil.

6.4 Separation techniques

Separation techniques can be grouped into biological, mechanical or thermal
processes or a combination of these. Efficiency of separation depends upon the
nature of the digestate and the characteristics of residual particles following the
AD process. For example, cellular level particles making up the dry solids (DS)
content of digestate will not be separated efficiently, while larger particles such
as identifiable undigested plant residues will.

Picture 5. Post-AD maturation of dry AD digestate

In all cases, dewatering tends to represent substantial investment with potentially

high maintenance costs, but dramatically reduces transport costs. Methods for
separating digestate are outlined below.

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6.4.1 Screw press
A screw press compresses the digestate into a gradually decreasing screw
channel between a screw shaft and screen mantle, squeezing out the liquid.
Different screens and operational pressure can be used to alter the efficiency of
the separation process. This method can achieve 3038% DS. It is worth noting
that screw presses tend to have a solids-capture efficiency between 10% and
40% depending on the feed characteristics.

6.4.5 Evaporation
A relatively new technology in the UK but one that has been operational in
continental Europe for a number of years, evaporation systems generally rely on
two effects: first the digestate is heated using either hot water or steam; second,
low pressure steam is flashed off using a cyclone separator and a vacuum pump.
By subjecting the heated liquid to a vacuum (the pressure is reduced to below
atmospheric), the boiling point of water is reduced and steam can be generated
at low temperature.

6.4.2 Belt press

Belt presses work in a similar way to screw presses, whereby the digestate is
sandwiched between two tensioned belts which are passed through decreasing
diameter rolls to squeeze out water. These tend to have a higher separation
efficiency and are often used to produce a cake output, rather than a fibre
output.
6.4.3 Centrifuge
A centrifuge is a high speed, high G device that uses centrifugal force to separate
fine particles and liquid. Typically polymer is added to agglomerate very fine
particles prior to centrifuging, with the type of polymer and dosage rate having
a large influence on performance. Centrifuges should generally achieve a
separation efficiency of >95% of solids, producing a cake between 18% and
35% dry solids, and a liquor (centrate) of less than 0.3% dry solids.

The benefit of this approach is that

more water can be evaporated for
a given amount of heat energy,
particularly when the heat is
sourced from the gas engine waste
heat; the downside is the power
consumed by the vacuum pump.
As with any system operating
under vacuum conditions it is
essential that all equipment is
built to the relevant legislation and
design standards. Currently there
is one such installation in the
UK and a number of operational
plants in Europe.

DRAFT

6.4.4 Bio-drying
Bio-drying uses aerobic bacteria which occur at the beginning of the classic
composting process. These bacteria heat the digestate and remove the water
content. This process may be inefficient unless supplemented with auxiliary
heat, such as exhaust heat from a combined heat and power unit (CHP), or may
require an agitation process due to the high thermal inertia of moist, fine particle
digestate.

Picture 9. Evaporation installation at

the Barkip AD facility, UK

6.4.6 Membrane filtration and reverse osmosis

Systems using membrane filtration and reverse osmosis are starting to come
onto the market in the UK although with mixed reliability to date. The design
of these systems is critical and great care should be taken when reviewing
references. That said, the technology shows promise as it achieves almost total
solids capture and can result in a liquid discharge so clean it can be discharged
(to river) under consent.
6.4.7 Chemical separation
Another technology group that shows promise is chemical separation, which
involves the chemical precipitation, adsorption, and removal of nitrogen
and phosphorous from liquid streams. These offer the possibility to recover
concentrated NPK streams in solid form from a liquor stream for sale to the
fertiliser industry.

6.5 Application of digestate

Picture 7. Dewatering of
sludge-derived digestate

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The practical guide to AD

Picture 8. On-farm dewatering over

solid digestate bunker

Equipment used to apply raw slurry and separated liquid onto land can also
be used to apply digestate. Similarly, equipment used for spreading solid
farmyard manure can also be used to spread separated solids. The application
of digestate to land can be carried out by several different methods, including
tractor and tanker, self-propelled tankers or umbilical cord spreading. Whichever
method is used, it is good practice to inject whole digestate as odours from NH3
volatilisation can cause nuisance.

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Todays technology allows accurate spreading of digestate which can be

controlled and monitored using GPS satellite guidance systems coupled with flow
meters, enabling the operator to match different digestate analysis to individual
crop requirements and soil types. It also allows the operator to carry out field
risk assessments, which are downloaded to give accurate, well-documented
applications, making it easy to comply with national and regional regulations
and NVZ/cross-compliance requirements.

6.5.3 Trailing shoe

A trailing shoe involves a boom mounted onto a tractor umbilical system or
tanker, to which a series of legs are attached (150 mm to 200 mm apart), with a
coulter/shoe attached to each leg. The coulter/shoe trails the ground and parts
the crop sward to allow the product to be applied to the soil surface rather than
onto the crop foliage. In some instances cattle have returned to graze within a few
hours. This method is suitable for all soil types.

6.5.1 Bandspreading
Bandspreading involves a flexible supply pipe connected to a tractor and
applicator which drags the pipe across the field applying the digestate. It is a
fast, efficient method of application with reduced compaction of land compared
to tanker spreaders, and achievable work rates of 100 m3 to 130 m3 or more
per hour. Distance from the store can be overcome by adding booster pumps.
Umbilicals can be used to pump directly out of the AD plant/storage site, or
out of a headland nurse-tank if transportation by road is required. The main
drawback of using umbilicals is a reduction in consistency of the digestate. Band
applicators are the preferred method of application, as they dramatically reduce
nutrient losses.

6.5.4 Dribble bars

Dribble bars consist of a boom mounted behind a tractor umbilical system or
tanker from which a number of evenly spaced (usually 150 mm to 200 mm apart)
flexible pipes are attached. The digestate is dribbled onto the ground via this
simple system which contains few moving parts. Methods such as the dribble
bar or trailing shoe minimise the surface area of spread slurry exposed to air,
resulting in reduced NH3 loss, and less odour and crop contamination.
6.5.5 Disc injectors
Disc injectors comprise an implement mounted onto a tractor umbilical system
or tanker, containing a series of discs which cut slots in the soil surface into
which the digestate is placed. This works well on some soil types, but can have
limitations in stony or compacted soils.

DRAFT

Picture 10. Bandspreading digestate

6.5.6 Tine injectors

These inject the digestate beneath the top layer of soil, using tines (fork prongs)
to rip channels in the soil into which the digestate is dribbled via pipes down
each leg. This method results in an even spreading of digestate with very little
risk of odour. However, tine injectors can cause surface soil disturbance and
would mainly be used on stubbles and cultivated ground before establishing a
crop. Furthermore, applying digestate by injection is dependent on soil texture,
soil moisture, stone content and the gradient of the land.

6.5.2 Tankering
Tankering is useful when it is not possible to access the land with an umbilical.
Tankering can be costly due to the limited quantity being moved per load, and
ground compaction may also be an issue from the weight of the tractor and
loaded tanker. Low ground pressure equipment is advisable.
Picture 11. Purpose-built tanker used for
field spreading of AD liquor

6.5.7 Manure-type spreaders

Dewatered dry AD digestate can be applied to land using conventional manure
spreaders which disperse the relatively dry solid material either to the side or
behind a tractor-drawn trailer unit. The digestate is likely to be in the range of
18-35% dry solids with a sieve size of 0-60 mm and a long particle upper limit
of 200 mm.

6.6 Variations in digestate

with sector
As previously discussed, digestate can be defined as whole, fibre or cake, but
this description only defines the physical characteristics of the digestate. It is
also true that there are subtle changes in digestate depending on the source of
the feedstock and the industry sector from which it arises.

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Table 3: Typical analysis of farm-slurry digestate based on more than 70 farms

Total N
(nitrogen)

NH4N
(ammonium nitrate)

P2O5
(phosphate)

K2O
(potassium)

Units

Kg/m3

Kg/m3

Kg/m3

Kg/m3

Range

4.66.7

2.75.0

1.43.4

2.85.3

%DM
(dry matter)

5.88.5

Source: www.scotland.gov.uk/Resource/Doc/1057/0053041.pdf

6.6.1 Digestate from farm slurries and crops

There is considerable evidence of the beneficial nutrient and fertiliser values
of crop and slurry-based digestates. The majority of available data is from
continental Europe, with limited information published to date from the UK. The
majority of UK data comes from farm-based AD facilities largely processing
dairy and, to a lesser extent pig, slurry. UK data from AD facilities processing
food waste and from dry AD facilities is currently scarce.

Phosphate and potash

Digestate contains useful amounts of phosphate and potash, together with
quantities of other nutrients and trace elements, which help maintain soil fertility.
The ratio generally depends on the nature of the feedstock rather than the AD
process. However, post-AD management, particularly dewatering, may raise the
relative proportion of highly soluble nutrients in the liquid fraction and retain
others, most notably P, in the solids fraction.

When offering digestate to farmers, AD operators should be able to demonstrate

its value as farmers will not be interested in taking undefined digestate. As such,
laboratory analysis of typical samples is essential.

Food waste typically results in digestate with different levels of NPK compared to
agricultural materials. This will depend on the protein content in food waste, for
example digestate from meat residues will have NPK ratios of around 12:1:4.

The fertiliser value of digestate is largely influenced by the nature of the AD

feedstock. Operators can, to some extent, choose inputs to enhance the value of
their digestate. However, this is usually only a secondary or tertiary factor, because
most AD facilities prioritise inputs to maximise biogas yield, and choice of feedstock
may be restricted by contractual or availability issues. AD processes are also selflimiting in terms of nutrient throughput, particularly in the case of nitrogen, where
excess will negatively affect and destabilise biological efficiency.

For further information see www.adbiogas.co.uk/ad-guide-links/.

DRAFT

The following is a summary of the current evidence, with data expected to

improve over time as more facilities are commissioned and a broader range of
feedstocks treated.
Nitrogen
Reports by WRAP show that digested livestock slurry will typically increase its
available nitrogen by around 10%, while around 80% of total nitrogen in foodbased digestate is readily available. This means that digestate can generally be
used as a direct replacement for bagged nitrogen fertiliser.
The balance of nitrogen is likely to be present as ammonium-nitrogen in fresh
material, which at high levels may be damaging to young crops. After stabilisation,
nitrogen is usually present in a microbial fixed form and will have a longer-term
slow release, particularly in solid digestates.
Ammonium-N may be lost as odorous ammonia if digestate is managed poorly,
or may be leached in effluent as a potential pollutant. Where digestates are
bandspread to growing crops in the spring, ongoing field experiments by WRAP
have shown that up to 60% of the readily available nitrogen can be available to
the crop in the year of application.

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As a general rule, in the year of application, around 50% of phosphate and

typically 80% of potash will be available in soil to which digestate has been
applied. Actual values must be used to calculate the amount of digestate to be
applied relative to crop nutrient requirements.

6.6.2 Digestate from the water industry

Considerations of digestate from the water industry generally apply to digested
sewage sludge or biosolids. Today, by far the greatest volume of digestate applied
to land is from sewage sludge. In the UK, biosolids are applied to land almost
exclusively as cake with the resultant liquor being treated by aerobic processes
on a sewage works before discharge to river or sea.
The water industry has a long history of recycling organics back to land.
Experience has shown that, in order to deliver a good quality product, assistance
must be provided to landowners and managers to enable them to judge the
correct dosage rates for any particular application. Following public concern in
the US and Europe over the recycling of sewage sludge digestate to land, the
term biosolids was coined to promote the high quality of digestate as a natural
fertiliser. In 1998, the UK water industry, in conjunction with Water UK, the
British Retail Consortium, and farmers and landowners, jointly developed a code
of practice known as the Safe Sludge Matrix governing the treatment standard
and land application of biosolids.

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Initiatives such as the Safe Sludge Matrix, together with legislation covering
the application of sewage sludge (Sludge Use in Agriculture Regulations), have
been critical in developing a secure and mutually beneficial recycling route for
digestate in the UK. The Matrix is often regarded as the benchmark for use of
digestates on land in the UK, but must be read in conjunction with other crosssector guidance.

At the time of publication (Spring 2012), digestate certificated to PAS 110 is no

longer considered a waste and therefore does not have to satisfy waste regulations.
Nonetheless, the definition of end-of-waste criteria is expected to change in the
future. In the meantime, PAS 110 accreditation is generally perceived as the key
to market development for digestate, by providing assurance that it satisfies a
minimum safety standard.

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Further information can be found at www.adbiogas.co.uk/ad-guide-links/.

The UK water industry recycles approximately 80% of the digestate produced

from wastewater to land as biosolids, the vast majority in the form of dewatered
cake. Typically, dewatering is carried out via belt press or centrifuge and dry
solids concentrations will range from 18% to 33%. There was a significant trend
in the 1980s and 1990s to install driers to further reduce the water content of
dewatered digestate. However, experience has shown that these invariably use
considerable fossil fuels (mainly natural gas) to top-up the energy available from
biogas and are very expensive to operate. The trend over the last decade has
been to take these driers out of service and return to recycling digestate to land
as a biosolid cake.

In a broad agricultural context, the Biofertiliser Certification Scheme combines

the requirements of PAS 110 with the Anaerobic Digestate Quality Protocol, the
instrument that defines when waste digestate becomes product (in England,
Wales and Northern Ireland) and the specific requirements of SEPA (in Scotland).
In all cases the record keeping and grazing/harvest requirements of the ABPR
remain in place. It is not obligatory to become a member of the Biofertiliser
Certification Scheme, and indeed it is possible to recycle digestate to land using
a standard permit from the Environment Agency, however, there are considerable
advantages to producing a certified product.

DRAFT

6.6.3 Digestate from source-segregated waste

Digestate from source-segregated waste streams such as food waste or
comingled biowaste can also take the form of whole digestate, liquor, fibre or
cake. AD processes accepting material including food waste will be regulated
under the Animal By-Products Regulations (ABPR) and must be authorised
by the Animal Health and Veterinary Laboratories Agency (AHVLA). Use of the
resulting digestate must also comply with ABPR requirements. Classification
of digestates derived from food wastes can be moved from waste to product
if the digestate is PAS 110 compliant and, furthermore, accredited under the
Biofertiliser Certification Scheme.

PAS 110 Biofertiliser Certification Scheme

The British Standards Institution (BSI) publicly available specification 110
(PAS 110 or Biofertiliser Certification Scheme) provides a baseline for digestate
use (the Biofertiliser Certification Scheme encompasses the different regimes in
Scotland and the rest of the UK in a single scheme). The purpose of PAS 110
is twofold: to ensure that digested materials are made using suitable inputs and
processed by AD for a sufficient length of time; and to ensure that the process
has been well managed and monitored to produce digested material that can
meet market needs while protecting the environment.
Any producer who claims digested material conforms to this standard must
ensure that it is fit for purpose at all times, although the protocol does not define
the actual fertiliser value of the material. Only source-segregated waste inputs
(and nonwastes such as manures and purpose-grown crops) are permitted to
be certified to PAS 110. Feedstocks from unsegregated waste streams (such
as mechanical biological treatment), sewage sludge and its derivatives are not
permitted.

Increasingly, farmers are interested in sourcing fertilisers that are certified

as organic and digestate is an obvious candidate material. However, there
can be confusion about the use of the term. Digestate from an AD process is
predominantly made up of material that is carbon-based and so chemically
organic in nature. However, in terms of products, the word organic is one that
is defined by law, and may only be used by producers and manufacturers who
are registered with a recognised organic accreditation organisation. There are
several organic certification bodies within the UK, all of which conform to the
standards laid down by the EU perhaps the most widely-known scheme is that
developed by The Soil Association.
To be certificated as an organic product, materials such as digestate must comply
with rigorous management and assessment criteria. Stakeholders such as
farmers and AD operators have to work within the constraints that recognise the
direct connection between human health and how the food we eat is produced.
In organic schemes, artificial fertilisers are typically banned and crops must be
grown using methods that enhance soil fertility. In an AD context this means only
digestates that are produced from known uncontaminated feedstock are likely
to be considered as organic products. In 2011, The Soil Association agreed to
permit use of composts and digestates derived from household food and green
waste on farms that it has certified as organic.
Only source-segregated biodegradable inputs can be used for digestates that are
intended for land application under the waste (permitting/licensing) or product
(Biofertiliser Certification Scheme) routes. Sewage sludges and mixed wastes
are not permitted inputs.

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6.6.4 Digestate from mixed waste
If feedstock comes from a non source-segregated supply then the digestate
is considered a waste material. Generally speaking, digestate from black bag
collections are heavily contaminated and are suitable only for landfill cover and
limited forms of land reclamation. Nonetheless, there are European examples of
AD facilities producing MBT-derived digestates with net benefit when applied to
land and having an acceptably low level of contamination.

6.7 Storage and transport

6.7.1 Storing liquid digestate
The storage period required for liquor will depend on several variables, including
the seasonal market of digestate, geographical area, soil type, winter rainfall,
crop rotation and national regulations governing digestate/manure application.
Areas designated as Nitrate Vulnerable Zones require a minimum of six months
storage which can be a considerable burden on any AD project, both financially
and in terms of the footprint of the facility.

An additional advantage of store covers may be the secondary collection of

methane from digestate. This is more often found with tower storage, although
an efficient AD process should not generate significant amounts after the main
process. Enclosed digestate stores are potentially very hazardous, particularly
in terms of working in confined spaces with foul air and at low oxygen
concentrations. Access to unventilated digestate stores for maintenance must
always be preceded by rigorous safety planning. Similarly, methane/air mixes
may be highly explosive and even routine operations must be approached with
care.
6.7.2 Storing dewatered digestate
Due to its higher dry matter content, the solid digestate fraction (separated
fibre) can be stacked and is therefore far more convenient to store than liquor. In
addition, dewatered digestate requires less transportation than liquid due to the
low water content.

DRAFT

Like manure, when whole digestate is stored in open tanks, H2S, NH3 and CH4
gases can be released. The regulatory requirements of the IPPC (Integrated
Pollution Prevention and Control) Directive and the voluntary requirements of the
Biofertiliser Certification Scheme both require that digestate stores be covered,
but this may not be the case for on-farm storage of the finished product.

Roof structures or roof membranes can be fitted to concrete or steel structure

stores, although consideration should be given to the structural loading of
any fixed roof system to ensure compatibility with the tank. Initial capital costs
are expected to be high with a long life span. Flexible covers can be floated
on lagoons which prevent water ingress, although this water tends to pool and
will need to be removed to protect the cover from damage and prevent sinking.
While capital costs vary, cheaper systems may have shortened life spans and
installation on existing lagoons can be problematic.
Location of the storage will be at the preference of the operator; either at the AD
plant, or separate from the plant at the point of land application (if land is secured
for spreading). Storage containers will need to be constructed to meet Health and
Safety Executive (HSE) and planning regulations. In addition, some planning
authorities require liquid storage facilities to have bunding around storage silos
for spillage safety. Regulators may also require spillage and leakage detectors to
be in place and monitored.

When stored, operators should be aware that sediment in the digestate will
settle out and will need to be stirred or agitated to ensure homogeneity before
application or transporting. Due to the impermeable nature of roof structures and
flexible covers, specialist design may be required to allow access for agitation
equipment. With flexible covers, care needs to be taken to avoid mechanical
damage during agitation.

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The practical guide to AD

Picture 12. Storage of separated fibre digestate

The decision to produce a dewatered fibre digestate versus the production of

liquid digestate is generally an economic one, balancing the additional cost of
dewatering against the often significant savings to be made in storage, transport
and application.
6.7.3 Transporting digestate
Transportation will be required when the land to which digestate is to be applied
is not adjacent to the AD plant. Transporting digestate over long distances is
expensive, and so availability of land should be considered in the early stages of
planning an AD plant, particularly if the plant is located in an urban setting.
If digestate disposal becomes necessary, for example liquids for treatment or
solids to landfill, for even a proportion of output, it can have a huge impact on
business viability.

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Economics of transport are crucial and can determine the success or failure of
a project. The financial implications of transportation are likely to be significant,
and will be determined by a range of factors including:
The form of the digestate whole or separated liquids and solids;
Transformation of digestate (for example by drying) before or after
transport;
Certification of material for disposal as a waste or use as a product; and
Destination of digestate distributed or centralised deliveries.

Picture 13. Road tankering requires vehicles

which are clean and fit for purpose

In order for the operation to be cost-effective and efficient there must be a

predictable, consistent flow of digestate supplying the recycling team. Calculations
to work out the number of vehicles needed must be based on the distance to and
from the AD plant, quantity of digestate involved and access to the user. Waiting
times at, and access to, the AD plant should also be considered, particularly if
involving an urban site. In rural areas there are other factors to consider, such as
noise and access to fields. Availability of the field is as important as the window
for application, dependent on crop requirements, seasonal restrictions and, of
course, the weather. The transport company must be flexible and ready to go as
soon as the field, cropping window and weather permit.
For liquid digestate spread to land, a temporary headland tank may play an
important part in logistics, providing storage on the field to aid the supply of
digestate to the recycling team. Ideally it should have the capacity to hold a least
one load of digestate, helping to provide an uninterrupted flow, for example to
umbilical slurry spreading equipment, thus ensuring the operation is efficient
and cost-effective.

DRAFT

The transport company must be an appropriately registered Carrier of Waste,

unless the digestate meets end-of-waste criteria, such as the Biofertiliser
Certification Scheme, which allow the digestate to be classified as a product.

Liquid digestate
If bulk transport is needed from AD plants, it may be possible to use the same
tankers which have delivered feedstock to export digestate, providing that input
material is not an animal by-product. Cleaning the vehicles between feedstock
delivery and digestate transportation, to avoid cross-contamination, would have
energy and cost implications and care would need to be taken over the disposal
of any wash water.

Solid digestate
Solid digestate can be transported by truck and stored on fields under a rainproof
cover prior to application. As a rule of thumb, dewatered cake from wet AD
systems will require only 15% to 20% of the vehicle movements required for
liquid digestate.
Final considerations
The AD plant management, the landowner, the recycling team and the transport
company should be regarded as equal partners in any digestate-to-land
programme. All are ultimately accountable to national and regional regulators
and the acknowledgment of this fact is vital to the success of the operation.

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91

Notes

DRAFT
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The practical guide to AD

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