A chopper pump is helping a community-owned district heating scheme in Ireland save around 60,000 Euros a year.
The long-shaft Landia pump has been handling heavy duty mixed waste, including slurries and fats for an anaerobic digester biogas plant operated by Beoffs in County Kilkenny.
Renewable energy generated by the plant serves local residents and a village hall but its primary beneficiary is the nearby school run by Camphill Communities of Ireland, part of an international charitable trust that works with people who have intellectual disabilities and other special needs.
The chopper pump, which handles sewage sludge, food waste and various greases, as well as dairy slurry from three farms, has now been in operation for more than four years. Consultation and installation was carried out in conjunction with Drilling & Pumping Supplies (DPS) of Newtownards, with which Landia has worked on several projects.
Jimmy Chadwick, plant manager at Beoffs, commented: “This is hardly the easiest process for a pump but the Landia unit has proved extremely reliable and effective, despite everything we’ve thrown at it.”
Chadwick explained that the community district heating system also provides valuable digestate/fertiliser to those farmers who have first provided the dairy slurry for the DAFF-approved plant. Located in Callan, County Kilkenny, the Beoff plant also benefits from income generated by a gate fee for the waste it takes in.
Pioneered by war refugees almost 70 years ago, Camphill today comprises 18 communities, home to around 500 people, plus day attendees. Worldwide, there are 100 Camphill communities in 20 countries.
Communities practice bio-dynamic agriculture, offering opportunities for people to learn organic farming and gardening methods.
Landia’s emerging agreement with Drilling & Pumping Supplies sees the Newtownards firm supply a range of Landia mixers and pumps with a full back-up service.
