Temperatures and Biology with Angela Cronjé
Wednesday 3 June 2026
11:00 – 15:00 BST
Online via Zoom
Overview
The training is delivered by Angela Cronjé, a chemical engineer with 20 years experience in organic waste processing on operational plants.
This training is about the effect of temperature variation on biological health and gas production for AD. AD plants are typically built with lots of insulation to keep substrate warm even in cold winter temperatures, but this can contribute to increasing tank temperatures and biological risks in the hotter summer months. Gas production can also suffer when process temperatures drop due to low ambient temperatures or failures in heating systems. Operators will gain a better understanding of how process temperatures vary, what this means for biological health and gas production and what control measures should be considered to mitigate the risk of serious biological failures.
Agenda
- Welcome and introductions
- Heatwaves and AD
- How does a digester over-heat?
- Case studies
- Importance of data collection and interpretation
- Rising temperatures and biology
- What are the ‘normal’ operating temps and why?
- The effect of increasing temperatures on digester biology
- The effect on gas production and composition
- Case studies
- Digester temperature and ammonia
- The risks of a high ammonia diet
- Ammonia chemistry and inhibition
- The effect of increased temperature on digester ammonia
- Case Studies
- Control measures
- Plant design
- Tank cooling circuits and external chilling options
- Diet planning
- Failed biology recovery
- Q+A/ open discussion
The World Biogas Association is the global trade association for the biogas, landfill gas and anaerobic digestion (AD) sectors, dedicated to facilitating the adoption of biogas globally. We believe that the global adoption of biogas technologies is a multi-faceted opportunity to produce clean, renewable energy while resolving global issues related to development, public health and economic growth. We seek to represent all organisations working in the biogas industry at the international level across the world, including; national associations, biogas operators and developers, equipment providers, water companies, the agricultural sector, waste companies and academic & research institutions.
Trainer: Angela Cronjé PhD MEng, ROOTS Organics Ltd
Angela is a Chemical Engineer with over 15 years experience in the organic waste management and AD sector. She is director of ROOTS Organics Ltd, an independent consultancy providing technical support and advice on the recycling of organics. Angela is a chemical engineer who has worked in the waste industry for 15 years and set up ROOTS with Sarah Manwaring in 2015. They work with investors, composting and AD operators, farmers and end users of compost and digestate products.
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