HERBURG ROSES

PLC
2022

Green Waste Management

 Introduction
Herburg roses plc is committed to provide safe environment for the
community to protect the environment and, health and safety of the
community and its employees; by reducing waste using environmentally
sustainable waste management system.

Waste Management
Solid Waste Management Liquid Waste Management

Green Waste Management

Constructed wetland

Composting Biogas Organic liquid Fertilizer

Objective
General objective
 To protect the environment, the health and safety of the people by
using green waste management system.
Specific objective
 To use our waste for the generation of compost, biogas and organic
liquid fertilizer.
 To improve the soil fertility.
 To decrease our inorganic fertilizer expense.
 To use for energy resource.

Purpose
Compost is organic material that can be added to soil to help plants
grow.
Purpose of the compost:-
 Enables soil to retain nutrients, water and air.
 Enriches soil.
 Reduces the need for chemical fertilizers.
 Improve the disposal of agricultural waste, kitchen garbage and
livestock manure.
Biogas is environmentally friendly, renewable energy source composed
of mostly methane (CH4), the same compound in natural gas, and carbon
dioxide (CO2).
Purpose of biogas:-
 Used as healthy cooking gas.
 Used for the production of electricity.
 Used for replace compressed natural gas for use in vehicles.
 Reduces soil, water and air pollution.
Organic liquid fertilizer is a fertilizer that is derived from organic
sources, including organic compost, manures, and domestic sewage.
Purpose of organic liquid fertilizer:-
 Improve soil structure
 Increase soil fertility
 Reduce use of inorganic fertilizer

Operation
Compost production
Composting is an aerobic method of decomposing organic solid wastes.it
can therefore be used to recycle organic material. The process involves
decomposing organic matter. Known as compost, which is good
fertilizer for plants.
The process of producing compost are:-
1. Collecting the green waste from the green houses.
2. Grinding the green waste by the grinding machine (car).
3. Making a bed with grind green waste 10m length, height 2m and
width 4m.
4. Wetting the compost timely using water the first week.
5. Turn the compost timely after 8 week.
6. Use the compost after 12 week.
Biogas and organic liquid fertilizer production
Health and Safety Precaution
Composting is a natural biochemical process involving bacteria and
fungi. Humans have been composting safely for thousands of years,
however we do suggest you always adhere to the following health and
safety guidelines.
 Always wear PPE like overall, hand gloves, ear protection and
mouse mask.
 Wash hands after handling waste/compost.
 If you suffer from respiratory tract infections or a compromised
immune system, take specific precautions to avoid inhalation.
When manure is anaerobically digested, the biogas produced is primarily composed of methane
and carbon dioxide, with lesser amounts of hydrogen sulfide, ammonia, and other gases. Each of
these gases has safety issues. Overall, biogas risks include
explosion, asphyxiation, disease, and hydrogen sulfide poisoning.

Extreme caution is necessary when working with biogas. Adequate

ventilation, appropriate precautions, good work practices,
engineering controls, and adequate personal protective equipment
will minimize the dangers associated with biogas. Wherever
possible, digester-associated tasks and maintenance should be
performed without anyone having to enter confined spaces,
including pits. Systems should be initially designed so that
confined space entry is not required to perform maintenance.

The information presented here is for reference purposes only.

No liability is implied.

Biogas Hazards
Fire/Explosion

Methane, approximately 60% of biogas, forms explosive mixtures

in air. If biogas is diluted between 10% and 30% with air, there is
an explosion hazard. In 2003, several explosions on Canadian

Image: US Municipal
Supply Company.
swine farms were thought to have been caused by the methane in biogas exploding (Choinière,
2004). Hydrogen sulfide and ammonia are also potentially explosive.

Because of the explosion hazards, no open flames should ever be used near a digester. Also,
equipment such as large engines and electric generators must be suitable to the environment so a
spark will not ignite the gas. Explosion-proof equipment and electrical service, as well as non-
sparking tools, should be used around digesters and biogas. There must be no smoking near the
digester or related biogas lines and equipment.

Asphyxiation

Asphyxiation from biogas is a concern in an enclosed space where manure is stored. Osbern and
Crapo (1981) report one case of three people who died from asphyxiation created by swine
manure gas in an enclosed space. Even open-topped manure pits can generate methane at a
sufficient rate to push out the air above the manure and render the space oxygen-deficient.

Never enter a facility where manure is stored or where there is a suspected biogas leak as natural
ventilation cannot be trusted to dilute the explosion hazard sufficiently. Airing out a facility does
not impart safety, as some of the gases produced are heavier than air. If a person is found
unconscious in such a facility, do not enter the facility because you may be overcome as well.
Contact emergency services so that firefighters wearing self-contained breathing apparatus
(SCBA) can safely retrieve the victim.

Disease

Animal manure contains bacteria, viruses and, possibly, parasites. Biogas is generated by the
anaerobic digestion of manure, which occurs because of the bacteria present in animal wastes,
some of which can produce infection. When handling waste material, exercise appropriate
precautions by using personal protective equipment to avoid contact with manure. Washing after
working around the digester is recommended. It is particularly recommended to wash hands
before eating and drinking and before touching the eyes or other mucous membranes.

Keeping the digester facility clean will reduce disease hazards as well as the spread of odors and
fly populations in the digester facility.

Components of Biogas
Biogas consists mainly of 60% methane and 40% carbon dioxide, with low levels of hydrogen
sulfide and other gases. Each of these gases can displace oxygen.
Methane

Methane is lighter than air and will collect toward the upper spaces of the building. It is
explosive at 5% to 15% concentrations. While methane is not a toxic gas, it displaces air so that,
in a confined space, it creates an oxygen-deficient atmosphere. This is how it kills.

Carbon Dioxide

Carbon dioxide is an odorless gas that is heavier than air. In a quiescent space, carbon dioxide
can layer near the floor. Slightly elevated levels of carbon dioxide increase heart rate and
respiration rate. Higher levels displace oxygen supply in the bloodstream, which can cause
unconsciousness and death.

Hydrogen Sulfide

Hydrogen sulfide is a highly toxic gas that is heavier than air. At very low levels, it smells like
rotten eggs and can produce eye irritation. At dangerous levels, it destroys the sense of smell and
produces respiratory paralysis. Thus, at dangerous and fatal levels, where one can literally drop
dead, there is no odor to warn of its presence.

The following table shows the health effects of hydrogen sulfide at different concentrations.

Parts per million (ppm) Possible health effects

0.01-0.3 Odor is detectable
Moderate to strong odor
Nausea
1-10 Tears
Headaches
Sleep loss
Irritation of the eyes
10-150
Irritation of the lungs
Severe health effects
150-750
Death becomes more likely
>750 Death may occur in minutes
Ammonia

Ammonia is a gas that is lighter than air, has a pungent odor, and can irritate the eyes and
respiratory tract. Ammonia can displace oxygen in the bloodstream.

Precautions
Manufacturer Warnings

Failure to heed manufacturer warnings may result in death or serious injury. Contact the
manufacturer for maintenance and service requirements and availability of service.

Safety Walk-Throughs

A safety walk-through can help you determine potential hazards and preventative measures.
Cornell University developed a comprehensive self-assessment guideline for farmers. It is
intended to be used by farm owners and managers or farm staff who are responsible for the
operations and/or maintenance of anaerobic digesters and their related processes. It provides
guidance for process and job evaluation with suggestions based on typical potential hazards for
farm digester systems and their associated preventative measures.

Gas Sensors

Explosion, suffocation, and poisonous gas hazards may be detected using gas sensors. These
sensors include both disposable and electronic sensors. Electronic sensors need testing regularly,
and these sensors may have a disposable component that needs periodic replacement. Only
qualified people should use these sensors to determine if an area is safe.

Personal Protective Equipment

An area where manure is stored should never be entered without the appropriate personal
protective equipment, which may include a self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA). The use
of protective equipment such as an SCBA is covered by OSHA regulations, and the operator
must be certified in its use with equipment-fit testing and medical clearance.

For More Information

 Self-Assessment Guideline for Farmers; Conducting a Safety Walk-Through on a Farm:
Hazards of the Manure Handling System, Anaerobic Digester, and Biogas Handling
System.
  Pennsylvania State University: Biogas Safety. This site also has biogas and anaerobic
digestion information and links.
 Pennsylvania State University Manure Pit Safety. This site has educational videos that
demonstrate manure storage hazards, the importance of monitoring manure gas levels
before entry, and recommendations for the design and installation of ventilation of
manure storages, emphasizing the importance of a positive pressure system for forcing
fresh air into the storage. The site also has fact sheets that address manure storage
hazards, monitoring for gases and oxygen, ventilating manure gases, and emergency
rescue procedures. Information for accessing ANSI/ASABE S607, Ventilating Manure
Storages to Reduce Entry Risk, and ASABE EP 470, Manure Storage Safety, are
provided.
 Respiratory Protection, Personal Protective Equipment. OSHA Regulation 1910.134 that
applies to some anaerobic digester facilities; all operators should refer to these standards
in an advisory capacity.

 Manure Pit Gas Hazards. National Safety Council.

 Manure Gas Can Be Deadly; and When OSHA Comes Calling: Are You Prepared for an
Occupational Safety and Health Administration Inspection? Cornell University Manure
Management Program and NYSERDA. Articles were published in Northeast Dairy
Business magazine, August 2005.

 Manure Gas Is Dangerous. Farm poster from Cornell University and NYSERDA.

 Ventilation Standard Development for Confined-Space Manure Pits. Poster from NORA
Symposium, 2008.

Bibliography
Brown, N.J. 2007. Conducting a safety walk-through on a farm: hazards of the manure handling
system, anaerobic digester, and biogas handling system – a self-assessment guideline for farmers.
Manure Management Program. Cornell Dept. of Biological and Environmental Engineering.
Ithaca, NY.

Martin, J.H. 2008. A New Method to Evaluate Hydrogen Sulfide Removal from Biogas. M.S.
Thesis. Raleigh, N.C.: North Carolina State University, Department of Biological and
Agricultural Engineering.

Osbern, L.N., and R.O. Crapo. 1981. Dung lung: a report of toxic exposure to liquid manure.
Ann. Intern. Med. 95(3):312-4.
Choinière, Y. 2004. Explosion of a deep pit finishing pig barn, investigation report on biogas
production. In Proc. ASAE/CSAE Meeting. Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.

Wright, Peter. 2001. Overview of Anaerobic Digestion Systems for Dairy Farms. Natural
Resource, Agriculture and Engineering Service:NRAES-143. Ithaca, NY.

Contributors to This Article

Authors

 Patricia A. Westenbroek, Sullivan County, Cornell Cooperative Extension

 Jerry Martin II, Environmental Engineer, USDA – ARS

Peer Reviewers

 Nellie J. Brown; CIH, Director, Workplace Health and Safety Program, Cornell
University – ILR
 James Carrabba, Agricultural Safety Specialist, New York Center for Agricultural
Medicine and Health (NYCAMH).

CategoriesAnaerobic Digestion, Animal Manure Management, Manure Anaerobic Digestion

Tagsanaerobic digestion, animal manure management, biogas, jerrym, manure anaerobic
digestion, manure safety, paw34

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This is a national Cooperative Extension resource

This work is supported in part by New Technologies for Agriculture Extension grant no. 2020-
41595-30123 from the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture. Any opinions,
findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this publication are those of the
author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the view of the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

© 2022 All rights reserved.

ealth & safety risks associated with a biogas plant

All the following risks are easily mitigated if health & safety are taken into account at all phases
of a biogas project development. The risks include, for example:

 Fire and explosion

 Confined space hazards
 Risk of Asphyxiation
 Risk of gas poisoning (H2S, NH3)
 Risk of high-pressure gas or liquid leaks
 Risks associated with rotating mechanical equipment
 Risks associated with pathogens (diseases)

Fire and explosion

Under certain conditions, biogas in combination with air can form an explosive gas mixture. The
risk of fire and explosion is particularly high close to digesters and gas reservoirs. It can occur
because of a gas leak, creation of an explosive zone, welding, clogged or frozen pipes or others.

To generate an explosive atmosphere, the following conditions are met simultaneously:

 Presence of a combustible gas: methane (CH4)

 Presence of an oxidant: oxygen from the air
 Presence of an ignition source
 Concentration of the combustible gas included in its explosive range (LIE-LSE)
 Presence of a confinement.

Explosion triangle for biogas

Source: German Biogas Association

For a biogas composed of 60% methane and 40% carbon dioxide, the range of biogas
concentrations in the air necessary to reach the explosive range is between 8.5 and 20.7.

Risk of asphyxiation

Biogas generation, transportation and flaring can lead to oxygen-deficient atmospheres. The
biogas accumulation in a confined space can significantly reduce the level of oxygen (anoxia)
and result in poisoning or asphyxiation symptoms, even death.

The minimum regulatory oxygen content is 19%. The asphyxiants that are typical constituents of
biogas are carbon dioxide (CO2) and methane (CH4).

Chemical hazards

Due to their toxicological properties, ammonia, hydrogen sulphide or carbon dioxide expose
operators to safety hazards. To reduce the risks, it is essential to maintain the threshold limit
value (TLV).

Someone that is exposed to H2S concentrations of over 50 parts per million can get serious
injuries or die. Such concentrations also cause pipes or steel tanks corrosion or breakdowns of
the biogas engine.
 Occupational exposure limit values (OELs) of the main hazardous gases in biogas

Source : Institut National de Recherche et de Sécurité (INRS) – Translated

High-pressure gas or liquid leaks

High-pressure gas or liquid leaks occur when pressure goes lower or high than normal in tanks.
For example, a tank breakdown can cause a flooding of digestate on site. The digestate spreads
on nearby lands if the flood is not contained on time.

Biological hazards (pathogens)

Wastes of animal and human origin, used as AD feedstock, contain various pathogenic bacteria,
parasites and viruses. Pathogenic species that are regularly present in animal manures, slurries
and household waste are bacteria (e.g. Salmonellae, Enterobacter, Clostridiae, Listeria), parasites
(e.g. Ascaris, Trichostrangylidae, Coccidae), viruses and fungi.

For example, a tank spilling into a slurry tank can create projections and aerosols containing
microorganisms.

Overview of hazards in biogas plants

Source: German Biogas Association

Zones at risks of explosion

Source : Institut National de l’Environnement Industriel et des Risques (INERIS) – Translated

Safety precautions 

General

 Use corrosion-resistant material to water or sulphur products

 Equipment should be designed not to let biogas in or out
 Electrical installations must comply with standards and regulations

Regarding the fire hazards:

  The constituent materials, in particular digesters or the combustion unit, must be non-
combustible
 The installations must comply with the provisions of Article R4216 of the Labor Code:
provide specific extinguishing systems inside the premises of the detection systems.
 Storage inside the premises must be avoided
 Petrolium products storage should respect the Decree as of July 1, 2014 setting up the
technical rules and applicable security for storage of petroleum products

Digesters, post-digesters and biogas storage tanks

 Install a device to protect against risks of explosion

 Safety valve: digesters and biogas storage tanks must be equipped with safety devices
(safety valves) that prevent excessive vacuum or overpressure
 Sluice gates: have 2 sluice gates for one digester in the case one of them breaks down.
Moreover, there should be a possibility to lock one of the sluice gates manually
 Mixer: get a backup power supply.

Biogas desulphurization through the injection of air

 Inside the digester or post-digester, air metering pump should be set so that the air flow
does not exceed 8% of biogas volume produced at the same period
 Digester inlet piping should be equipped with a check valve that will prevent the biogas
from flowing back.

Flares
The flares are necessary in risk control on a biogas plant. If there are problems or the plant is on
start-up phase, the flares have to treat the biogas. The biogas cannot be sent in the atmosphere.

 Gas flares must be equipped with a flame arrester

 It must have a ventilation device

Condenser

 Make sure that during steam dump no biogas leaks outside

  Install detectors of high and low levels connected to the pump stop

Digestate storage tank

 If the tank is covered, it is important to ensure that it is sufficiently ventilated

 Install the detector of high level connected to the digestate supply.

Technical premises
Technical premises should be sufficiently ventilated.

Piping

Separate biogas and substrate piping. Biogas piping should be as well:

 Airtight and tested before first use

 Fluid, pressure and corrosion resistant
 Easily accessible and preferably placed on the surface
 Should consist of welded sections and not to go out of confined spaces, especially the
premises
 Provide the slopes to evacuate the corrosive and condensate
 Piping holding the substate should be protected against freezing
 Security valves should be placed upstream of the installations intended for production,
storage, treatment and use of biogas
 Systems that trigger security valves should be installed in easy-to-access places

How to minimize risks and ensure safety during every step of your biogas
project?

The operator and the plant designer have to take certain measures at every step of a project. The
goal is to ensure safety and minimize risks.

Plant design

This step is particularly important to ensure the safety of the biogas plant. The operator and the
plant designer have to pay attention to:

 The norms, guidelines and all other codes that apply to biogas plants
 The classification of explosion zones, since the electric system installed on the biogas
must be suited according to the risks of explosion
 Avoiding confined space
  Potential risks that can happen during the operation of the plant

Project construction

 Make sure to plan the project rigorously

 Hire an onsite expert to insure the workers apply the health and safety measures that are
established

Biogas plant commissioning

Commissioning of a biogas plant can be the most dangerous step of a project.

Accidents that can happen include:

 Structural failure rarely happens when the tank is being filled or the high-pressure pipes
are being tested
 Accidental hydraulic discharge during the pre-operation test of the pumps and valves
 Lack of calibration of the health and safety equipment
 Higher risks of explosion when the air inlets are opened and the air reach biogas

Biogas plant operation

During this step, a lot of accidents and incidents happen. To avoid them, the operator must:

 Train every operator of the plant for the work in confined space, portable gas detection,
process and equipment use
 Apply strict procedures for equipment locking
 Regularly verify health and safety equipment to make sure they are calibrated and offer
precise measurements
 Do a visual screening of all equipment to detect leaks and verify the state of equipment
 Make sure all workers apply health measures to avoid pathogen diseases
 Train all plant workers for basic firefighting skills and CPR

Examples of past accidents on biogas plants

In Europe, there were about 800 accidents on biogas plants between 2005 and 2015. Fortunately,
less than a dozen of them had consequences on humans. Here are some examples.

Farm plant, Saint-Fargeau, France

In 2018, an explosion followed by a fire occurred at the level of the gasometer in the post-
digestor of the farm plant in Saint-Fargeau, France. The accident happens during the initial test
for the operation of the agitator when its propeller was replaced.

Consequences

 Breakdown of the gasometer

 Melting of the power cable of the agitators
 Sealing damage of the head veil

Causes

 Error made during the installation of the agitator

 Supporting system of the agitator is not connected to the ground
 Electric arc during the power interruption of the agitator, an ignition and flames source
 Non-efficient monitoring from certified organizations during the initial and periodic visits

Biogas plant of Rhadereistedt, Germany

In 2005, a large quantity of H2S leaks in the charging hall of the biogas plant of Rhadereistedt,
Germany. The workers don’t follow the procedure to discharge the truck because of a breakdown
of the lid covering the tank. The tank containing animal and dairy waste is left opened.

Consequences

 Death of the truck driver and of 3 other workers

 Injuries and hospitalization of another worker

Actions taken

 Apply safety measures to avoid the operation of the agitators when the lid of the tank is
left opened
 Make new streams to avoid sending liquid digestate through the trench
 Optimize ventilation system
 Install gas detectors
 Avoid intermediate storage in the trench during the nights and weekends
 Avoid mixing materials
 Train workers

Complementary guidelines about risks and safety measures on anaerobic

digestion plants 
There is a number of guidelines on required safety measures for an anaerobic digestion plants.
You can read them to get more information on this topic.

The document Safety rules for agricultural biogas plants (l’Institut national de l’environnement
industriel et des risques de la France) (In French only)  include information about the operation
and maintenance of a biogas plant. It contains critical measures to prevent risks during the
operation, reception, starting, testing and maintenance of biogas plants, to intervene in confined
spaces, in the digestors, post-digestors and storage tanks.

Depending on your region, here are a few guides that you might find useful:

 United States: Safety Practices for On-Farm Anaerobic Digestion Systems (EPA)

 Germany: Safety Rules for Biogas Systems (German Agricultural Occupational Health
and Safety Agency) and Biogas: Safety First (German Biogas Association)
 Quebec: Lignes directrices pour l’encadrement des activités de biométhanisation
(Gouvernement of Quebec) (In French only)

Need more information? 

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