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Plant Optimisation Training, 29th August, Cambridge

The ADBA Training and L&D programme aims to address the various aspects of running an AD plant efficiently, safely and sustainably, including all the inter-related activities from planning feedstock through to utilising digestate.

“First class presentation and content, very worthwhile course for anyone involved in the AD industry” (Delegate feedback)

This training day was hosted by Bidwells in Cambridge and delivered by Angela Cronje of Roots Organics. Angela is a Chemical Engineer with 15 years’ experience in the waste industry and now specialises in AD, working with investors, composting and AD operators, farmers and end users of compost and digestate products.

The attendees were mostly operators of on-farm AD plants with a broad cross-section of industry knowledge in the room. This made for a lively, busy day with everyone contributing to the discussions.

Plant optimisation is about making a number of small incremental improvements to a range of processes, which accumulate to a significant impact overall.  Measuring the different processes provides data which can be laid out in graphs. Whilst this is initially time-consuming, once established new data can be easily added to provide an accurate picture of the plants’ activity across time. By monitoring activity across months and years, a clear picture is built up showing patterns of activity, strengths and weaknesses. This provides the guide for what the plant should be doing and what it could be achieving. Changes can then be introduced individually and in small increments, and their affects measured. This then establishes which changes are best overall.

Plant optimisation is also about adopting best practice, to ensure that the plant is run safely and managed professionally. All these aspects feed into the ADBA ADCS programme , which aims to recognise and certify plants that are well run.

Angela is an engaging and dynamic presenter who knows her subject intimately. She was able to deliver a workshop that necessarily included a large amount of “science” and technical elements in a lively and informative manner. She utilised real life examples and images where appropriate and despite the workload, the day progressed at a swift pace.

Once again ADBA would like to thank our friends at Bidwells for hosting this event.

Anyone looking for more information on ADBA Training Days or Learning & Development Events should contact: greville.southgate@adbioresources.org or check the events page .

The next ADBA learning and development event is: Feedstock and Biology, 26th November, Crewe.

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