Crust appeared because whisk isn’t up to the job but we’re looking at options of putting another stirrer in or gas mixing. Another stirrer around 5k or gas mixer around 10k.
It is important these small scale systems work as the potential in the UK is good. However, from what I am reading and given the simplicity of the system, you appear to be having lots if issues.
Mono-digestion has biological challenges, however the enzymes being developed should benefit the system stability risks.
Is your supplier supporting you ?
No support now, Biolectric weren’t supporting the UK supplier so UK supplier had to give up before he bankrupt himself
I would go back to basics.
1.Temp
2. Why do I have a floating layer
- bedding in slurry?
- pre separation might be cheaper
3. Could I drop the level to aid the existing stirrer. Raise level gradually once floating layer disappeared.
The problem can be solved. Small steps.
Small steps.
To include dropping level by centimetres at a time until stirrer working better. Over time.
If the floating level is cow bedding or waste silage in slurry this can be kept separate as it appears that it causes the system problems. Bearing in mind the European system may have been perfected on slurry from totally slatted dairy floors.
Gas mixing has worked well for us for 9 years, minimal maintenance and all outside the tank. Nothing could be much simpler, low power motors. Changed the vanes on one compressor, more as a precaution, after over 27,000 hours.In my opinion gas mixing is an expensive gimmick, adding cost and complication, for no benefit.
Chippy,
What is the dia of your digester and mixer configuration ?
What did your temp drop to?
I lost nearly 8 degrees in the last cold spell as we heat our chicken sheds and I took too much heat out of the tank, has taken nearly 5 weeks to get it back.
My advise on mixing, simple is best, I have three mixers in my tank, two moveable submersables, and one paddle giant. One of the submersables has broken and I now have an expensive operation retreiving and replacing it, roof off and two cranes
The paddle giant is a metal paddle, set in the tank on a massive nylon bearing, with the motor on the outside, so any maintenance can be done easily, if I had my time again l would just but two of these in.
In my opinion gas mixing is an expensive gimmick, adding cost and complication, for no benefit.
I do agree with all the other comments though, get some consistency in your feeding first before you do anything.
Are you taking regular biological samples?