Seabreeze Farms biogas plant renewable natural gas
Seabreeze Farms, a third-generation dairy farm owned by the Keulen family, is nestled on the fertile land of the Fraser River delta in Delta, British Columbia. The Keulen family has long been pioneers in the field of renewable natural gas (RNG), and their farm is home to the first RNG production facility located on a dairy farm in Canada.
At Seabreeze Farms, a herd of 375 Holsteins is milked, but the farm’s significance goes far beyond traditional dairy production. Seabreeze Farms produces approximately 45,000 gigajoules (GJ) of RNG, which is injected into the FortisBC natural gas pipeline. This remarkable feat provides enough energy to heat around 500 homes for an entire year.
Project Partners
- Kloot Construction
- CH Four Biogas Inc.
- Seabreeze Farms
The heart of this innovative venture is the biogas plant, which processes approximately 24,000 tonnes of feedstock. This feedstock includes dairy manure from the farm itself and off-farm organic materials. The biogas plant’s process not only yields RNG but also produces nutrient-rich digestate. This digestate is further separated into a solid fraction, suitable for bedding, and a liquid fraction, which serves as a valuable crop fertilizer.
Octaform Advantages
Cost Savings
Octaform’s solution provided decreased total costs compared to traditional methods involving concrete and polyurethane applied membrane coatings. This cost efficiency was instrumental in keeping the project within budget.
Construction Effieciency
Octaform’s system significantly reduced construction time and labor requirements. The ease of installation contributed to a streamlined construction process, saving valuable time and resources.
Built-In Insulation
Octaform’s system incorporated insulation directly into the structure. This ensured optimal thermal performance, with the thermal mass of concrete on the interior of the structure and insulation on the exterior, reducing operating costs.
Simplified Maintenance
The durability of Octaform’s tank interior was a crucial factor. The system resists corrosion and requires no mid-life servicing or re-coating, further reducing long-term maintenance costs.
Corrosion Resistance
Octaform’s PVC stay-in-place forming system offered superior corrosion resistance compared to traditional concrete and membrane systems. This durability ensures a longer service life for the infrastructure.
Outcomes
Octaform, a renowned leader in PVC stay-in-place forming systems, played a crucial role in making this groundbreaking project a reality. Octaform’s innovative technology was implemented in three key areas of the Seabreeze Farms RNG production facility: a digester, a liquid tank, and a hydrolyzer tank.
Octaform’s stay-in-place forming system proved to be an ideal choice for the project, offering durability, efficiency, and longevity. The system’s ease of installation and maintenance played a pivotal role in the success of the RNG production facility.
Kloot Construction
Kloot Construction, a family-owned business based in Chilliwack, British Columbia, specializes in agricultural and residential construction. With a long history throughout the Fraser Valley, Kloot Construction is renowned for its expertise in designing and building facilities that support the agricultural industry’s evolving needs.
For the Seabreeze Farms RNG project, Kloot Construction brought its wealth of experience and local knowledge to the table, contributing significantly to the successful implementation of Octaform’s forming system and the overall development of the facility.
CH Four Biogas Inc.
CH Four Biogas Inc., a Canadian engineering and support firm, specializes in anaerobic digestion. With an impressive track record of designing and supporting over a dozen anaerobic digestion systems across Canada, CH Four brings extensive experience and operational expertise to every project.
For the Seabreeze Farms RNG production facility, CH Four’s involvement was invaluable in ensuring the project’s success. Their deep understanding of anaerobic digestion and biogas systems provided essential insights and guidance throughout the project’s various phases.
Seabreeze Farms
Jerry Keulen’s vision and commitment to sustainability have paved the way for a pioneering project that exemplifies the circular economy concept. The Seabreeze Farms RNG production facility not only benefits the Keulen family but also provides renewable energy and valuable resources to the local community and the environment.
A biogas system is a natural fit for a dairy farm; it completes the circle. We feed the soil, feed the cows, produce milk, and we take manure from the dairy and incorporate it into the digester along with consumer waste to produce RNG, which in turn produces digestate to feed the soil.
Conclusion
The Seabreeze Farms RNG production facility is a testament to innovation, sustainable farming, and environmental stewardship. Octaform, in partnership with Kloot Construction and CH Four Biogas Inc., has played a pivotal role in bringing this visionary project to life. Together, they have contributed to the success of a first-of-its-kind initiative, setting a precedent for the dairy industry and RNG production in Canada. This collaborative effort showcases the transformative potential of renewable energy and sustainable agricultural practices.
