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What is BioConversion?
Bioconversion is defined by Webster as the conversion of organic waste materials into an energy source by a fermentation process involving living organisms. This process is completely natural and is commonly referred to as anaerobic digestion.
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What is a BioConverter?
A MAC BioConverter provides an enhanced environment where the bioconversion (gasification) of organic wastes proceeds efficiently, resulting in higher gas output and better-quality co-products. BioConverter systems represent the best available technology for the sustainable disposal of large volumes of green waste and food waste.
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What can be BioConverted?
A MAC BioConverter can provide cost effective treatment of the following waste streams:
- Food and Fruit Processing wastes
- Hotel, Restaurant, and Catering wastes
- Supermarket wastes (produce, meat, deli, expired package, etc.)
- Yard wastes (grass clippings, leaves)
- Waste Paper
- Fats, Oils, and Grease (FOG)
- Meat, Fish Packing, and Slaughterhouse wastes
- Brewery and Winery wastes
- Agricultural residues (plant and animal wastes, including manures)
- Septage and Sewage sludge
- Paper Pulp sludges
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What comes from the BioConversion process?
Primarily energy in the form of methane gas, carbon dioxide, and organic solid and liquid fertilizers. BioConversion co-products can be further processed into animal and aquaculture feed and nutrients, even natural pigments.
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What are the benefits of using the BioConversion process?
At the source of the waste, BioConversion:
- simplifies the separation of other recyclables and increases their value by removing "wet" waste.
- reduces operating expenses by allowing food waste grinders to be eliminated and maintenance on existing waste receptacles (cans, compactors, etc.) to be reduced.
- controls odors and limits disease vectors.
- improves the overall working environment.
At the point of waste disposal, BioConversion:
- virtually eliminates odors.
- effectively controls disease vectors.
- prohibits leaching into ground/groundwater.
- eliminates air- and water-borne pathogens.
- reduces greenhouse gas (carbon dioxide and methane) emissions.
For municipalities, BioConversion:
- helps attain diversion goals by eliminating "heavy" waste from the incoming waste disposal stream.
- eases the permitting of compost sites and landfills by excluding putrescible wastes from management concerns.
- decreases the level of management typically required of such operations.
- decreases the operating costs associated with the special handling of wet wastes.
- increase the lifespan of new and existing facilities.
For communities, BioConversion
- keeps a valuable resource, organic wastes, from being wasted and buried.
- provides renewable energy, as methane, for electricity or vehicle fuel.
- provides organic nutrient fertilizers, reducing reliance on imported chemicals.
- provides educational opportunities for children and the general public to understand and experience the benefits of applied biology.
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What range of capacities is available?
Our current model for commercial development is a BioConverter System capable of processing 1000 to 2500 tons of biodegradable wastes per day into green power for up to 40,000 homes, with the additional benefit of production of as much as 500 tons of organic fertilizer. This system is an effective multiple of a 100 ton/day facility we had previously proposed. We have also built and operated a community/park/resort system, as well as a system for the home, and we relish the odd challenge!
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What is the difference between BioConversion and composting?
While both are biological processes, the primary difference between the two is that in the course of treatment, bioconversion produces energy whereas composting consumes it. Also, the fertilizer products from BioConversion are superior to those produced by composting because bioconversion is a reduction process, which conserves the nutritive properties of the original material more effectively than an oxidation process like composting can. In addition, BioConversion conserves real estate, requiring less land area than an equivalent composting system.
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