Welcome to S-IRCLE project
S-IRCLE project focuses on addressing key challenges in small-scale biogas plants. The primary objective is to develop an innovative, automatic, regenerable external filter system capable of effectively
removing hydrogen sulfide (H2S) from biogas. This is crucial as H2S poses health risks and can lead to corrosion, reducing the lifespan of biogas appliances. Furthermore, the project aims to recycle sulfur present
in the loaded filter material as an alternative sulfur fertilizer, promoting sustainable resource utilization.
Overall, S-IRCLE project encompasses both technical development and environmental evaluation, aiming to contribute to the advancement of biogas technology in Vietnam and pave the way for a more sustainable and efficient biogas utilization.
NEWS
Visit to Urban and Industrial Environment Joint Stock Company No. 11 (URENCO 11)
08/10/2024On September 20, the group of experts, scientists, and researchers attending the 4th International Conference paid a visit to Urban and Industrial Environment Joint Stock Company No. 11 (URENCO 11). This is a major joint-stock company in the field of environmental management in Northern Vietnam, providing technical services for environmental treatment, primarily focusing on waste management. Household, industrial, and medical waste is collected without being sorted and processed mostly by landfill and only one forth by incineration. The company currently operates a total of six incinerators, but due to the impact of the recent storm, only two are currently in operation, with a capacity of 4 tons/hour per incinerator and efficieny of 70%. The flue gas of incinerators is treated using lime and then discharged to the environment once the criteria of Vietnamese National Standards are met. However, potential recycling technologies, such as heat recovery during incineration and the use of wood pellet incineration technology, have not yet received adequate attention.
The 4th International Conference successfully held
25/09/2024As part of the S-ircle project, the 4th International Conference "Valorization of Agricultural Residues Towards Climate-Smart Agriculture in South-East Asia” was successfully held in Hanoi on September 19, 2024, organized by TU Berlin and Hanoi University of Science and Technology (HUST). Experts, scientists, and Ph.D. candidates from institutions such as the Technical University of Dortmund, University of Hiroshima, University of Thai Nguyen, and the Vietnam Livestock Association attended the event. Focused on three main themes — Biomass Resources and Bioenergy, Sustainable Technologies, and Environmental Impact Assessment and Management — the conference featured 10 presentations and 10 posters. It provided an open space for both Vietnamese and international experts to share knowledge and work towards developing effective and sustainable organic waste management methods suited to local contexts.
S-IRCLE in the Conference of the Export Initiative for Environmental Protection
18/09/2024On September 5 and 6, around 100 participants from the GreenTech sector attended the annual conference of the "Export Initiative for Environmental Protection" (EXI - "Exportinitiative Umweltschutz") organized by the Federal Ministry for the Environment in Berlin. EXI targets small and medium-sized enterprises with innovative green technologies seeking access to international markets and facilitates market entry opportunities. Among nearly 50 ongoing projects funded by EXI, S-ircle was one of six selected to participate in the accompanying exhibition. Prof. Vera Susanne Rotter provided an overview of the project, while Ms. Trang Hoang and Marcel Spahr shared details about the experiments conducted as well as the installed equipment. The event not only showcased the project’s products but also offered a valuable space for personal exchange and networking, fostering connections and potential collaborations.
Survey on plastic recycling completed
28/06/2024The survey on plastic recycling in Vietnam, conducted by the Hanoi University of Science and Technology, has been completed. The goal of this survey is to provide an overview of the current plastic recycling situation in Vietnam. More than 10 environmental companies of various sizes across Vietnam participated, providing information on plastic waste collection—regarding quantity, classification, and methods, as well as recycling—regarding origin, classification and methods. From the results of the survey, a material flow analysis will be performed to map out and quantify the flow of different types of plastic waste across various stakeholders involved in the process, with a view to assessing environmental impacts such as resource efficiency, greenhouse gas emissions, and human health.
CALL FOR PARTICIPATION - The 4th International Conference
20/05/2024The 4th International Conference “Valorization of Agricultural Residues Towards Climate-Smart Agriculture in South-East Asia” will take place on the 19th of September, 2024 in Hanoi University of Science and Technology, Hanoi, Vietnam. For more information, please visit CONFERENCE VAR4. We would like to invite scientists and practitioners to come together and share their knowledge and research, contributing to the following topics* by a presentation or a poster: Topic 1: Biomass resources and bioenergy
- Mass flows of agricultural residues (sources, characterization, quantification, inventories)
- Biomass mobilization and logistic
- Use of organic residues for bioenergy such as biogas, RDF,…
Topic 2: Sustainable technologies
- Innovative technologies for residue valorization and treatment
- Inovative Technologies for air, water and soil treatment in agriculture
- Residue utilization in industrial biotechnology
- Inovatives technologies for plastic recycling
- Plastic circular ecomnomy
- Fertilizer production technology from agricultural residues
Topic 3: Environmental Impacts and Management
- Monitoring of environmental impacts including GHG emssions, polution and mitigation in agriculture
- Biomass management, circular economy strategies and policies
- Challenges and opportunities for the sustainable technologies
- Sustainable soil and water management in agriculture
- Service and financing models for sustainable agriculture
S-IRCLE networking at SUA Symposium
10/05/2024On April 29th and 30th, Ms. Trang Hoang as a representative of S-IRCLE participated in the SUA (Smart Urban Areas) Symposium held at TU Dortmund University, themed “Grün, Blau, Grau - Symposium zu klimaangepassten Gebäudetechnologie” (Green, Blue, Grey - Symposium on Climate-Adaptive Building Technology). The symposium took place at the IBZ building on the TU Dortmund campus, focusing on sustainable and climate-adaptive building technologies.. attendees included Prof. Dr. Nguyễn Xuân Thịnh, the head of the SUA project, Vietnamese Ambassador in Berlin Mr. Vũ Quang Minh, and Mr. Daniel Roos from ZUG. During the event, representatives from SUA, CapaViet, InReUse, and S-IRCLE presented their ideas, progress, and project developments. In addition to the symposium, the delegation visited the WILO Factory 4.0, showcasing advanced digital integration in production and logistics.
Science seminar at the Hanoi University of Science and Technology
25/03/2024On March 22nd, a science seminar on Biogas Circulation Technology among S-IRCLE project partners was held at the Hanoi University of Science and Technology. The meeting was attended by representatives from the Technical University of Berlin, Herbst Environmental Engineering Company, Egreen Technology Joint Stock, and notably the delegation group from ZUG gGmbH. After the mid-term results were presented, the project partners also discussed issues related to biogas treatment and environmental protection in Vietnam in general. After the meeting, the partner delegation also visited and took commemorative photos with the S-IRCLE project tree planted last August. The seminar was held successfully, marking the beginning of cooperation and development among Vietnamese and German partners in the field of Circulation Technology for the near future.
German partners visiting three biogas plants in Nam Dinh Province
24/03/2024On March 21st, researchers from the Technical University of Berlin and engineer Marcel Spahr from Herbst Umwelttechnik GmbH and the delegation group from ZUG gGmbH – a federal company and specialised project management guided by the German Federal Government visited Hai Hau commune, Nam Dinh province. With the assistance of Egreen Technology Joint Stock Company as well as Hanoi University of Science and Technology, the German partners completed the technical check-up of three small-scale biogas plants installed for H2S gas filtration testing. The test filter not only received positive feedback from the households using it but also impressed the delegation groups. After nearly a year of installation, despite the biogas usage for cooking reaching up to 200m3, the filter consistently ensures that the H2S gas level remains at 0. This visit marks the successful mid-term phase of the project and promises progress
Pakchoi of the second experiment harvested
22/12/2023On a cold winter day, the 19th of December, the Pakchoi plants have reached their maturity after 60 days and been ready for harvesting.
The harvest day followed a similar procedure to that of the first experiment: after thorough preparation, sprout, root and soil samples were collected and dried.
The analysis work only starts after the Christmas vacation, during which the samples are either ground to determine the elements presented using ICP method, or extracted for examining the concentration of the soluble elements.
Second plant experiment started
31/10/2023 The Leibniz Institute of Vegetable and Ornamental Crops (IGZ) once again serves as the facilitator for our second experiment, aimed at investigating how plant development is affected by different types of soil mixtures:
ordinary earth with FerroSorp and mineral fertilizer, finished compost, or digestate. On October 20th, 25 Pakchoi plants were germinated and transferred to a greenhouse equipped with additional heating lights. They are appropriately watered twice a week, and their height, weight, and leaf count are recorded for further analysis.
First plant test finished
23/08/2023On the 22nd of August, 30 pots of Pakchoi and 10 pots of soybeans were successfully harvested at the Leibniz Institute of Vegetable and Ornamental Crops (IGZ). The sprouts and roots of each plant were cut separately, carefully washed, and weighed; soil from each pot was also collected. All the samples were dried appropriately for further analysis. Following the harvest, the lab work phase commences, where various analysis methods and procedures are carried out to examine and draw a conclusion accordingly about different parameters and qualities of plant development using different FerroSorp grain sizes as fertilizers.
New biogas filters installed successfully
07/08/2023The engineers from HUT and EG successfully completed the installation of advanced biogas filters across three biogas plants in Nam Dinh province. These systems encompass a comprehensive suite of components, including a data logger, a compact air pump for ambient air infusion during biogas utilization, pressure and temperature sensors, and a gas meter to measure the biogas flow into the filter. The filters are scheduled for a year-long testing phase, overseen by EG's local engineer.
S-IRCLE workshop in Hanoi
04/08/2023"Circular Biogas Technology - Smart Filter Systems for H2S-Removal and S-Recovery" workshop was successfully conducted. During the workshop, Trang Hoang presented the S-IRCLE project, while Marcel Spahr introduced a novel biogas filter featuring continuous regeneration functionality. The S-IRCLE team garnered substantial interest, with numerous inquiries and suggestions regarding the adaptation of this innovative technology to the conditions in Vietnam Notable participants included the Vietnam Biogas Association, SNV BioLive team, enterprising biogas entrepreneurs, and dedicated pig farmers, collectively igniting a promising dialogue.
S-IRCLE Project tree is planted
04/08/2023A planting tree event was held on the campus of Hanoi University of Science and Technology, joined by representatives from S-IRCLE project partners. A pomelo tree has been selected as the perennial fruit plant and local species in Vietnam. This tree will grow together with the project and also make a contribution to combating climate change by absorbing CO2 from the air.
Visiting the biogas plants in Nam Dinh Province
03/08/2023Marcel Spahr - an engineer from Herbst Umwelttechnik GmbH has arrived in Vietnam and is accompanied by Mr. Thuan - a technician from Egreen Technology JSC. to visit the 3 small-scale biogas plants in Nam Dinh province. The primary objective of their mission is the installation of innovative biogas filters, poised to usher in a new era of efficiency and eco-consciousness. This joint effort will see the filters undergo a rigorous year-long testing phase, marking a significant stride towards a greener and more sustainable future in biogas production. Stay tuned for the promising results of this collaboration.
Invitation and registration for S-IRCLE workshop
01/07/2023S-IRLCE project will organize a workshop called "Circular Biogas Technology - Smart Filter Systems for H2S-Removal and S-Recovery" at Sunway Hotel, Hanoi on the 4th August 2023. With the participation of the experts and biogas companies from Vietnam and Germany, the purpose of the workshop are to introduce S-IRCLE proejct and the novel biogas filter which was developed for the small-scale biogas plants and to facilitate a comprehensive discussion on the advantages and disadvantages of this innovative technology, as well as explore its potential applications and methods for widespread adoption throughout Vietnamm. The invitation with program and the registration form for the workshop, please check the links below.
Invitation and progam: click here
Registration form: click here
First plant test is conducted at the open greenhouse at IGZ
16/06/2023The pot test is performed to examine the relationship between the grain size of FerroSorp, the absorbent material used in the biogas filter for capturing H2S from biogas, and the release of sulfur in the soil. The study aims to evaluate the impact of this sulfur release on the growth of Pak Choi. The test takes place in an open greenhouse at the IGZ (Leibniz-Institut für Gemüse- und Zierpflanzenbau e.V.) in Großbeeren. The Pak Choi plants will be allowed to grow for a period of 9-10 weeks before they are harvested.
Prof. Nguyen Anh Tuyet has visited TU Berlin
17/04/2023Prof. Nguyen Anh Tuyet, representing Hanoi University of Science and Technology has come to Berlin and visited Technische Universitaet Berlin as part of the S-IRCLE project. During the meeting, she had a meeting with Prof. Vera Susanne Rotter from TU Berlin. The primary focus of their discussion revolved around exchanging ideas and planning the project activities in detail. The meeting proved to be instrumental in fostering a strong partnership and setting the stage for a productive and long-term collaboration between the two professors and their respective institutions.
S-IRCLE Project Kickoff Meeting
06/04/2023The kickoff meeting of S-IRCLE project was organized by the Chair of Circular Economy and Recycling Technology, TU Berlin with the participation of the project partners including: Herbst Umwelttechnik GmbH, INEST and Egreen. In this meeting, the working packages, activites and the time plan of S-IRCLE project was planned and discussed.
