Repeat project success for Landia with new biogas digester mixing systems in Thailand

Across the water from Ko Samui in Thailand, Landia has successfully completed a major installation of its biogas digester mixing systems for one of Asia’s leading producers of sustainable palm oil. The latest project builds on an earlier successful installation and further strengthens the company’s presence in biogas production and anaerobic digestion across the Asia Pacific region.

The new installation supports the treatment of palm oil mill effluent (POME), a high strength wastewater produced during palm oil processing. POME is widely recognised as an ideal feedstock for anaerobic digestion because of its high organic content, allowing palm oil producers to generate renewable biogas while reducing environmental impact and improving sustainability performance.

For this project, two 6,450m3 glass lined bolted tanks each with a diameter of 28 metres have been equipped with Landia’s advanced mixing technology. Palm oil mill effluent at approximately 5% total solids is comprehensively mixed using the externally mounted GasMix system. The system is positioned with its ejector and diffusor installed at an intermediate height inside the tanks to create strong circulation throughout the digester.

Effective mixing plays a crucial role in anaerobic digestion performance. Consistent circulation ensures that organic material remains evenly distributed within the digester, preventing sedimentation and minimising the formation of floating layers that can reduce gas production efficiency. By maintaining optimal contact between microorganisms and organic material the system helps maximise biogas yields while maintaining stable digester operation.

In addition to the GasMix system, the installation also incorporates Landia JetMix mixing nozzles located near the base of each tank. These nozzles help maintain active mixing within the lower regions of the digester where solids can otherwise accumulate. A further nozzle has been installed at a higher level to break up surface crust formation which is a common challenge in anaerobic digestion systems handling high strength waste streams such as POME.

The combination of these strategically positioned mixing points ensures complete circulation across the entire digester volume. This approach helps maintain process stability and supports consistent renewable biogas production from palm oil mill effluent.

Fergus Clark, Regional Sales Manager for Landia in the Asia Pacific region, commented:

“Tough durable equipment with a long lifetime is a must in these rural areas, but then tough, durable equipment with a long lifetime should be the case everywhere!

“We’ve established a strong level of trust with our customer due to the proven performance and very low maintenance of the Landia GasMix that was installed on their first digester in 2021. The engineering/construction companies we have worked have also seen that the optimum results truly speak for themselves.”

He added: “This doesn’t just apply to the unrivalled biogas yields, but easy maintenance, with – unlike many mixing systems – no moving/wearing parts trapped inside the digesters that can cause massive headaches with downtime. There’s also the fact that even here in rural Thailand, we have firmly established contacts, and the commitment to always provide proper back up.”

A key advantage of externally mounted mixing technology is the ability to carry out maintenance without the need to open the digester or remove equipment from inside the tank. This reduces downtime and improves operational reliability which is particularly important for facilities located in remote areas where specialist maintenance resources may be limited.

For palm oil producers investing in anaerobic digestion the reliability of mixing systems can directly influence plant performance. Poor mixing can lead to stratification, dead zones and reduced microbial activity which ultimately lowers gas output. By contrast well engineered mixing systems ensure stable process conditions and allow operators to maintain consistent energy production from organic waste streams.

Landia has established a strong track record in the Asia Pacific region where the growth of renewable energy projects continues to accelerate. Increasing numbers of palm oil mills are adopting anaerobic digestion technology to treat POME while capturing methane that would otherwise be released into the atmosphere.

Among the company’s notable regional projects is its first Napier Grass biogas anaerobic digestion installation on the east coast of Thailand. At this site the GasMix system is being used to replace existing submersible mixers in order to achieve more comprehensive mixing across the digester.

As demand grows for sustainable waste treatment and renewable energy generation across Southeast Asia, efficient digester mixing systems are becoming an essential component of successful biogas plants. Projects such as this latest installation demonstrate how proven mixing technology can help operators maximise energy recovery from organic waste while maintaining reliable long term digester performance.

For further information visit the Landia website