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Title:
INTEGRATION OF DIGESTER AND THERMO-CHEMICAL DIGESTATE TREATMENT EQUIPMENT WITH RECOVERY OF NUTRIENTS
Document Type and Number:
WIPO Patent Application WO/2023/208306
Kind Code:
A1
Abstract:
The invention relates to a method for recovering a nutrient rich stream from a combined anaerobic digestion process and thermo-chemical process, the method comprising: Providing a feedstock, preparing the feedstock for anaerobic digestion, feeding the feedstock into an anaerobic digester for producing a biogas and a residual digestate, using the digestate as a feedstock to thermo-chemical process for producing biooil, a water stream and a solid residue and upgrading the solid residue to a fertilizer and/or soil improvement product.

Inventors:
ANDERSEN LINA JOHANNA NÅBO (DK)
JEPPESEN MARTIN DAN (DK)
Application Number:
PCT/DK2023/050105
Publication Date:
November 02, 2023
Filing Date:
April 28, 2023
Export Citation:
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Assignee:
NATURE ENERGY GREEN HYDROGEN AS (DK)
International Classes:
C12P5/02; C05F17/50; C12P7/6436
Domestic Patent References:
WO2021154088A12021-08-05
Foreign References:
US11168339B12021-11-09
Other References:
RAHEEM ABDUL ET AL: "Opportunities and challenges in sustainable treatment and resource reuse of sewage sludge: A review", CHEMICAL ENGENEERING JOURNAL, ELSEVIER, AMSTERDAM, NL, vol. 337, 30 December 2017 (2017-12-30), pages 616 - 641, XP085362059, ISSN: 1385-8947, DOI: 10.1016/J.CEJ.2017.12.149
GUPTA MEENAL ET AL: "Use of biomass-derived biochar in wastewater treatment and power production: A promising solution for a sustainable environment", SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT, ELSEVIER, AMSTERDAM, NL, vol. 825, 16 February 2022 (2022-02-16), XP087026528, ISSN: 0048-9697, [retrieved on 20220216], DOI: 10.1016/J.SCITOTENV.2022.153892
Attorney, Agent or Firm:
PATENTGRUPPEN A/S (DK)
Download PDF:
Claims:
CLAIMS 1. Method for recovering one or more nutrient rich stream(s) from a combined anaerobic digestion process and thermo-chemical process, the method comprising a. Providing a feedstock, b. Preparing the feedstock for anaerobic digestion, c. Feeding the feedstock into an anaerobic digester for producing a biogas and a residual digestate, d. Using the digestate as a feedstock to thermo-chemical process for producing biooil, a water stream and a solid residue, e. Upgrading the solid residue to a fertilizer or soil improvement product. 2. Method according to claim 1, where upgrading includes obtaining individual parts of the solid phase residue as separate streams through separation in a hydro cyclone. 3. Method according to any of the claims 1-2, where upgrading includes obtaining individual parts of the solid phase residue as separate streams through separation in one or more filters. 4. Method according to any of claims 1-3, where the solid residue is dried. 5. Method according to any of claims 1-4, wherein the dry matter content of the solid residue is at least 30% higher after the drying, such as at least 50% higher after the drying, such as at least 70% higher after the drying. 6. Method according to any of claims 1-5, wherein the upgrading comprises an acid treatment. 7. Method according to any of claims 1-6, wherein the upgrading comprises a surface treatment, such as flame treatment.

8. Method according to any of claims 1-7, where leaching of the nutrients and/or organic compounds is performed. 9. Method according to any of claims 1-8, wherein the solid residue is a low-carbon fertilizer product. 10. Method according to any of claims 1-9, where the solid residue is combusted to obtain a low-carbon ash-like fertilizer product. 11. Method according to any of claims 1-10, where the product obtained through the upgrading process is formulated according to content. 12. Method according to any of claims 1-11, where the product obtained through the upgrading process is formulated according to content and further pelletized for easier downstream handling. 13. Method according to any of claims 1-12, wherein the pelletized product has a particle size of 1 mm to 5 cm, such as 2 mm to 4 cm, such as 5 mm to 3 cm, such as 1-2 cm. 14. Method according to any of claims 1-13, wherein the step of preparing the feedstock for anaerobic digestion comprises adjusting the dry matter content the feedstock slurry to up to 25 % by weight, such as up to 20 % by weight; such as up to 15 % by weight, such as up to 10 % by weight. 15. Method according to any of claims 1-14, wherein the step of preparing the feedstock for anaerobic digestion comprises reducing the particle size of the feedstock to less than 50 mm, such as less than 40 mm, such as less than 30 mm, such as a particle size of less than 20 mm.

16. Method according to any of claims 1-15, wherein the thermo-chemical step comprises a pyrolysis process, such as a slow pyrolysis process or a catalytic pyrolysis process. 17. Method according to any of claims 1-16, wherein the thermo-chemical step comprises a hydrothermal liquefaction process. 18. Method according to any of claims 1-17, wherein the hydrothermal liquefaction process comprises heating and converting the digestate to a temperature of at least 250°C, such as at least 280°C, such as at least 300 °C, such as at least 330 °C, such as at least 350 °C. 19. Method according to any of claims 1-18, wherein the hydrothermal liquefaction process comprises pressurizing the digestate to a pressure of at least 50 bars, such as at least 80 bars, such as at least 150 bars, such as at least 180 bars. 20. Method according to any of claims 1-19, wherein the digestate has a dry matter content of at least 25 % by weight when feeding to the thermo-chemical process, such as at least 30 % by weight, such as at least 35 % by weight, such as at least 40 % by weight. 21. Method according to any of claims 1-20, wherein the solid residue comprises phosphorous in a concentration of at least 0.1 wt %, such as at least 1.0 wt %, such as at least 2.0 wt %, such as at least 3.0 wt %, such as at least 4.0 wt %. 22. Method according to any of claims 1-21, wherein the step of using the digestate as a feedstock to thermo-chemical process for producing biooil, a water stream and a solid residue comprises separating the produced biooil, water steam, and solid residue into separate fractions.

23. Method according to any of claims 1-22, wherein the retention time in the anaerobic digestion step is less than 100 days, such as less than 80 days, such as less than 60 days, such as less than 40 days, such as less than 30 days, such as less than 25 days, such as less than 20 days, such as less than 15 days. 24. Method according to any of claims 1-23, wherein the retention time of the anaerobic digestion step is at least 12 hours, such as at least 1 day, such as at least 5 days, such as at least 10 days. 25. Method according to any of claims 1-24, wherein the anaerobic digestion step comprises a continuous anaerobic digestion process. 26. Method according to any of claims 1-25, wherein the temperature of the anaerobic digester is 45 to 70 °C, such as 48 to 60 °C, such as 45 to 70 °C, such as 49 to 59 °C, such as 50 to 55 °C. 27. Method according to any of claims 1-26, wherein the pH value of the anaerobic digester is 6.0 to 9.0, such as 6.0 to 8.5, such as 6.5 to 8.5, such as 7.0 to 8.5. 28. Fertilizer or soil improvement product obtainable by the method according to any of claims 1-27. 29. Fertilizer or soil improvement product according to claim 28, wherein the fertilizer or soil improvement product comprises phosphorous in a concentration of at least 0.1 wt %, such as at least 1.0 wt %, such as at least 2.0 wt %, such as at least 3.0 wt %, such as at least 4.0 wt %. 30. Fertilizer or soil improvement product according to claim 28 or 29, wherein the fertilizer or soil improvement product is pelletized.

Description:
INTEGRATION OF DIGESTER AND THERMO-CHEMICAL DIGESTATE TREATMENT EQUIPMENT WITH RECOVERY OF NUTRIENTS Field of the invention The present invention relates to the area of biogas production using an anaerobic digester and more specifically handling of feedstock for the anaerobic digester to increase the biogas production. Background of the invention Anaerobic digesters have been known for numerous years and the technology is constantly undergoing development to improve the production of the biogas. In the present transition towards a more sustainable energy supply to society the need for as well as the desire for the improvement of the technology has significantly increased. As the anaerobic digester due to their inherent limitation in converting certain parts of a typical biomass feedstock, there is a need for moving the present limits to enhance the capabilities of the anaerobic digestion process and further the utilization of the digestate as a residual product from the anaerobic digestion process. Objective of the invention The object of the present invention is therefore to provide for an improved method for production of biogas that will enhance the yields of biogas obtained, increase the speed of biogas production or both objectives at the same time. In addition to the desire for producing a sustainable biogas stream there is an already existing desire for providing the nutrient rich residual product for a circular environmental usage. Summary Method for recovering one or more nutrient rich stream(s) from a combined anaerobic digestion process and thermo-chemical process, the method comprising a. Providing a feedstock, b. Preparing the feedstock for anaerobic digestion, c. Feeding the feedstock into an anaerobic digester for producing a biogas and a residual digestate, d. Using the digestate as a feedstock to thermo-chemical process for producing biooil, a water stream and a solid residue, e. Upgrading the solid residue to a fertilizer or soil improvement product. An advantage of the invention may be that a concentrated fraction comprising nutrients such as phosphorus may be obtained in the form of the fertilizer or soil improvement product. The concentration of the fertilizer or soil improvement product is advantageous due to the significant volume reduction which may typically be associated with the concentration, since handling and logistics may be much more efficient. The volume reduction may originate from at least partly the processing of the digestate by the thermo-chemical process and optionally also from the upgrading step, e.g. by drying. Due to the volume reduction, it may be possible to use the fertilizer or soil improvement product in a cost-efficient way even across different regions, i.e. involving significant distances. Thus, the fertilizer or soil improvement product may be supplied even to regions which cannot provide suitable feedstock for the method of the invention, since it may be provided as a concentrated product. At the same time, fuels may be produced in the form of biogas and biooil. Thus, the invention may provide an advantageous fertilizer or soil improvement product as part of an energy producing method instead of using energy to produce fertilizer. An advantage of the invention may be that a fertilizer or soil improvement product of improved quality may be obtained. The improved quality may be characterized e.g. by being substantially free of pathogens, being substantially free of microplastics, being substantially free of pharmaceutical, etc. This may be obtained by applying a combination of anaerobic digestion with application of thermo-chemical processing. An advantage of the invention may be that an improved production of fuel products may be obtained. In more detail, producing a combination of biooil and biogas advantageously optimizes fuel production. Advantageously, this may be done without adding further biomass feedstock to the process, and thus the process may provide an increased fuel yield based on the same biomass. A further advantage of the invention may be that a fertilizer or soil improvement product may be obtained at the same time as a fuel product, advantageously even an improved quality of fertilizer or soil improvement product and/or an optimized fuel production. A further advantage of the invention may be that the solid residue may comprise carbon being relatively inert and thus being suitable for carbon storage, which may provide a negative contribution to the total carbon dioxide equivalent contribution of the overall process. A further advantage of the invention may be that the combined anaerobic digestion process and thermos-chemical process may decrease the retention time of the feedstock in the anaerobic digestion. In the present context the term “fertilizer or soil improvement product” may refer to fertilizers or fertilizer products and soil improvement products. In short, the term “product” may also be used. The fertilizer or soil improvement product may be used directly as a fertilizer or soil improvement product, or may be used as a component e.g. for a fertilizer. In the present context the terms “solid residue” and “solid phase residue” may be used interchangeably. In the present context the term “feedstock” and “feedstock slurry” may be used interchangeably. The fertilizer or soil improvement product may constitute a nutrient rich stream. In the present context the term “digestate” and “residual digestate” may be used interchangeably. According to an embodiment of the invention, upgrading includes obtaining individual parts of the solid phase residue as separate streams. According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, upgrading includes obtaining individual parts of the solid phase residue as separate streams through separation in a hydro cyclone. According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, upgrading includes obtaining individual parts of the solid phase residue as separate streams through separation in one or more filters. According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the solid residue is dried. The drying of the above embodiment may form part of the upgrading to the solid residue. The drying or drying step may also be referred to as lowering the water content or increasing the dry matter content. According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the dry matter content of the solid residue is at least 30% higher after the drying, such as at least 50% higher after the drying, such as at least 70% higher after the drying. According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the upgrading comprises an acid treatment. An advantage of the above embodiment may be that the bioavailability of the phosphorous may be increased. According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the upgrading comprises a surface treatment, such as flame treatment. An advantage of the above embodiment may be that toxic or otherwise undesirable substances may be at least partly removed. According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, leaching of the nutrients and/or organic compounds is performed. The leaching of the above embodiment may form part of the upgrading to the solid residue. According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the fertilizer is a low- carbon fertilizer product. In the present context, the term “low-carbon” may refer to a carbon content of no more than 5 % by weight of the dry matter of the solid residue, such as no more than 2% by weight of the dry matter of the solid residue, such as no more than 1% of the dry matter of the solid residue. The lowering of the carbon content may be obtained by combustion. According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the solid residue is combusted to obtain a low-carbon ash-like fertilizer product. The combustion of the above embodiment may form part of the upgrading to the solid residue. The solid residue may in some embodiments be referred to as a bio-char, especially when the thermo-chemical process comprises pyrolysis. According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the product obtained through the upgrading process is formulated according to content. According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the product obtained through the upgrading process is formulated according to content and further pelletized for easier downstream handling. According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the pelletized product has a particle size of 1 mm to 5 cm, such as 2 mm to 4 cm, such as 5 mm to 3 cm, such as 1-2 cm. According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the step of preparing the feedstock for anaerobic digestion comprises adjusting the dry matter content of the feedstock slurry to up to 25 % by weight, such as up to 20 % by weight; such as up to 15 % by weight, such as up to 10 % by weight. According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the step of preparing the feedstock for anaerobic digestion comprises reducing the particle size of the feedstock to less than 50 mm, such as less than 40 mm, such as less than 30 mm, such as a particle size of less than 20 mm. According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the thermo-chemical step comprises a pyrolysis process, such as a slow pyrolysis process or a catalytic pyrolysis process. According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the thermo-chemical step comprises a hydrothermal liquefaction process. In the present context it is noted that hydrothermal liquefaction may also be referred to as HTL. According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the hydrothermal liquefaction process comprises heating and converting the digestate to a temperature of at least 250°C, such as at least 280°C, such as at least 300 °C, such as at least 330 °C, such as at least 350 °C. In an embodiment of the invention, the hydrothermal liquefaction process comprises heating and converting the digestate to a temperature of 250 to 400°C, such as 280 to 400°C, such as 300 to 390°C, such as 330 to 380°C, such as 350 to 374°C. According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, hydrothermal liquefaction process comprises pressurizing the digestate to a pressure of at least 50 bars, such as at least 80 bars, such as at least 150 bars, such as at least 180 bars. In an embodiment of the invention, the digestate is pressurized to a pressure of 50 to 400 bars, such as 80 to 380 bars, such as 150 to 350 bars, such as 180 to 300 bars. In an embodiment of the invention, the pressurizing may be at least partly prior to heating and converting the digitate. According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the digestate has a dry matter content of at least 25 % by weight when feeding to the thermo-chemical process, such as at least 30 % by weight, such as at least 35 % by weight, such as at least 40 % by weight. According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the solid residue comprises phosphorous in a concentration of at least 0.1 wt %, such as at least 1.0 wt %, such as at least 2.0 wt %, such as at least 3.0 wt %, such as at least 4.0 wt %. According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the step of using the digestate as a feedstock to thermo-chemical process for producing biooil, a water stream and a solid residue comprises separating the produced biooil, water steam, and solid residue into separate fractions. According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the retention time in the anaerobic digestion step is less than 100 days, such as less than 80 days, such as less than 60 days, such as less than 40 days, such as less than 30 days, such as less than 25 days, such as less than 20 days, such as less than 15 days. According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the retention time of the anaerobic digestion step is at least 12 hours, such as at least 1 day, such as at least 5 days, such as at least 10 days. In an embodiment of the invention, the retention time in the anaerobic digestion step is 12 hours to 100 days, such as 12 hours to 80 days, such as 1 to 60 days, such as 5 to 40 days, such as 10 to 40 days. In an embodiment of the invention, the retention time in the anaerobic digestion step is 12 hours to 40 days, such as 12 hours to 30 days, such as 1 to 25 days, such as 5 to 20 days, such as 10 to 15 days. According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the anaerobic digestion step comprises a continuous anaerobic digestion process. In embodiment of the invention, the anaerobic digestion step is a batch process. According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the temperature of the anaerobic digester is 45 to 70 °C, such as 48 to 60 °C, such as 45 to 70 °C, such as 49 to 59 °C, such as 50 to 55 °C. According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the pH value of the anaerobic digester is 6.0 to 9.0, such as 6.0 to 8.5, such as 6.5 to 8.5, such as 7.0 to 8.5. The invention further relates to a fertilizer or soil improvement product obtainable by the method according to the invention or any of its embodiments. According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the fertilizer or soil improvement product comprises phosphorous in a concentration of at least 0.1 wt %, such as at least 1.0 wt %, such as at least 2.0 wt %, such as at least 3.0 wt %, such as at least 4.0 wt %. According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the fertilizer or soil improvement product is pelletized. According to one aspect of the present invention the objective of the invention is achieved through a method for recovering a nutrient rich stream from a combined anaerobic digestion process and thermo-chemical process, the method comprising a. Providing a feedstock b. Preparing the feedstock for anaerobic digestion c. Feeding the feedstock into an anaerobic digester for producing a biogas and a residual digestate d. Using the digestate as a feedstock to thermo-chemical process for producing biooil, a water stream and a solid residue e. Upgrading the solid residue to a fertilizer and/or soil improvement product. Advantageously the method includes obtaining individual parts of the solid phase residue as separate streams through separation in a hydro cyclone and/or one or more filters. Further advantageously the method includes obtaining individual parts of the solid phase residue as separate streams through separation in one or more filters. The upgrading of the solid residue product may comprise drying, and/or leaching of nutrients and/or organic compounds, and/or combustion of the solid residue fraction to obtain a low-carbon ash-like fertilizer product. Formulation of the soil improvement and/or fertilizer product may further advantageously comprise pelletizing the solid residue into pellets.

Brief description of the drawings The invention will be described in more detail in the following detailed description, with reference to embodiments shown in the drawings, where: FIG. 1 shows a schematic overview of a combined biogas and biooil production facility. FIG.2 shows a schematic overview of a further embodiment of a combined biogas and biooil production facility. FIG.3 shows a schematic overview of a further embodiment of a combined biogas and biooil production facility.

Detailed description In the figures the following numbering is allocated to the individual processes: 1: Pre-treatment step/pre-treatment equipment 2: Anaerobic digestion step/anaerobic digestion equipment 3: Digestate concentration step/digestate concentration equipment 4: Thermochemical process step/thermochemical process equipment 5: Residue upgrading step/residue upgrading equipment 6: Methanation step FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of a process/method for producing gaseous and liquid fuels and/or other chemicals from organic matter such as biomass and/or waste comprising a. A pretreatment step; b. An anerobic digestion step converting the organic matter to a biogas stream and a digestate stream; c. A digestate concentration step concentrating the dry matter content of the digestate thereby producing an aqueous stream and a concentrated digestate stream enriched in dry matter content; d. A thermo-chemical step converting the concentrated digestate stream to liquid fuels/bio-oil and/or other chemicals, where the thermo-chemical step is a hydrothermal liquefaction step or pyrolysis step. e. An upgrading step for nutrient rich residuals. The process may in the thermo-chemical step also comprise producing a nutrient rich product that can be utilized directly or after separation and/or mixing with other materials as a fertilizer product in agriculture. ANAEROBIC DIGESTER (2) The retention time in the anaerobic digestion step (b) is typically less than 40 days such as less than 30 days; preferably the retention time in the anaerobic digestion step (b) is less than 25 days; even more preferably the retention time in the anaerobic digestion step is less than 20 days such as less than 15 days. The retention time of the anaerobic digestion step (b) is typically at least 12 hours such as a retention time of at least 1 day; preferably the retention time of the anaerobic digestion step is at least 5 days such as at least 10 days. Preferred the anaerobic digestion step comprises a continuous anaerobic digestion process. However, the process may also be a batch process. Advantageously the anaerobic digestion step (b) comprises a thermophilic digestion step. The temperature of the anaerobic digester is typically in the range 45 to 70 °C such as in the range 48 to 60 °C; preferably the temperature of the anaerobic digester is in the range 45 to 70 °C such as in the range 49 to 59 °C; even more preferably the temperature of the anaerobic digester is in the range 50 to 55 °C. The pH value of the digester is typically in the range 6.0-9.0 such as a pH value in the range 6.0-8.5; preferably the pH value of the digester is in the range 6.5-8.5 such as a pH value in the range 6.5 -8.0 or such as 7.0 to 8.5. The feedstock to the anaerobic digester typically comprises animal manures including animal beddings such as manure from dairy production such a manure from livestock production, cattle manure, pig manure, horse manure, deep litter or a combination thereof. In addition to the animal manures the feedstock to the anaerobic digester may also comprise food waste such as kitchen waste, restaurant wastes including oil and greases, separated organic fraction from municipal solid waste, industrial food and non-food waste such as slaughterhouse waste, fats, oils and grease from restaurants, organic household waste, glycerine or a combination thereof. These feedstocks may also be used alone. The feedstock may further comprise one or more lignocellulosic feedstock such as agricultural residues like straw, grasses, husks, corn stover, green house waste, bagasse from sugar production, yard waste, woody biomass such as branches, demolition wood etc., seaweed, lake weed, energy crops, rice crop residue. The lignin content of the feedstock to the anaerobic digester is typically in the range 0.1 to 50 % by weight such as a lignin content of 1 to 30 wt % by weight; preferably the lignin content of the feedstock to the anaerobic digester is in the range 5 to 20 % by weight such as a lignin content of 5 to 15 wt % by weight. Lignin is normally not immediately digestable and therefore an indirect measure of feedstock flexibility i.e., feedstock that will normally not be converted and hence result in lower carbon efficiency for the anaerobic digestion process as such. Although pretreatment may give some improvements in this the digestate typically will have a relatively high content of lignin, obviously dependent on the feedstock. Typical wheat straw has 15-20% lignin content. The combined anaerobic digestion process and thermo-chemical process will significantly increase the ability to take in abundant lignin-containing feedstock. The nitrogen content of the feedstock to the anaerobic digestion step (b) is typically in the range 0.1 to 10 % by weight such as a nitrogen content of the feedstock to the anaerobic digestion step (b) in the range to 1.0 to 5.0 % by weight; preferably the nitrogen content of the feedstock to the anaerobic digestion step (b) is in the range 1 to 3 % by weight. Introduction of the feedstock to the anaerobic digester comprises preparing a pumpable/movable feedstock slurry prior to the anaerobic digestion step (b) wherein the dry matter content the feedstock slurry is of up to 25 % by weight such as up to 20 % by weight; preferably the feedstock slurry is of up to 15 % by weight such as up to 10 % by weight; even more preferably the dry matter content of the slurry is up to 5 % by weight such as up to 2.5 % by weight. Dependent on the type of feedstock the feedstock slurry preparation step may include reducing the particle size of the feedstock to less than 50 mm such a size reduction of the feedstock to a particle size of less than 40 mm; preferably the particle size of the feedstock is reduced to less than 30 mm prior to the anaerobic digestion step (b) such as a particle size of less than 20 mm. The feedstock dry matter content may be controlled by mixing with a recirculated stream of digestate from the anaerobic digestion or adding diluted one or more water streams from the digestate concentration step (c) and/or the thermo-reductive step. The feedstock preparation may further comprise adding bio oil produced in the thermo- reductive step (c) to the slurry in the feedstock slurry preparation step. In order to reduce total energy consumption heat from the thermo-reductive step may be used to heat the feedstock slurry prior to entering the anaerobic digestion step (b). wherein the methane content in the biogas is at least 50 % by volume such as a methane content of the biogas of at least 60 % by volume; preferably at least the methane content in the biogas is at least 65 % by volume such as at least 70 % by volume. The biogas from the anaerobic digestion stage is further upgraded by contact with hydrogen in a fixed bed biomethanation reactor comprising anaerobic microorganisms. The biogas upgrading in the biomethanation reaction comprises biological conversion of the carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) and hydrogen into methane and water. The biomethanation reactor is filled with granular support structures upon which a biofilm is developed through occasional sprinkling of the biomethanation reactor with liquid digestate comprising hydrogenotrophic methanogens from an anaerobic digester. The hydrogenotrophic methanogens are multiplied as a result of feeding the reactor with CO 2 and hydrogen, rendering a biofilm suited for CO 2 upgrading. The sprinkling of digestate over the biomethanation reactor ensures sufficient buffer capacity in the reactor to control the pH and provides the necessary macro- and micronutrients. The use of digestate microbacterial cultures ensures resistance towards potential inhibitors such as for example hydrogen sulfide. Hereby the temperature of the fixed bed bioreactor for biogas upgrading is in the range 10 to 70 °C such as a temperature in the range 25 to 65 °C; preferably the temperature of the fixed bed bioreactor for biogas upgrading is in the range 35 to 65 °C such as a temperature in the range 50 to 60 °C. The hydrogen required for the biogas upgrading step is preferably produced by electrolysis using renewable electricity. The stoichiometric relationship between CO 2 and hydrogen is 1:4 according to the reaction: ^^ ^ ^^ ՜ ^^ ^ ʹ^^ ^^ The CO 2 may preferably be added in small excess to ensure full utilization of the hydrogen. The biogas from the anaerobic digestion step (b) may be heated by heat exchange with a stream from the thermo-chemical step (c). - Pretreatment by leaching - Gas production per dry matter content in feedstock averages 254 m3 methane per ton dry matter feedstock, which is a considered a high yield of production again significantly contributing to a circularity. - The scale is significant as gas production per day in a modern anaerobic digestion facility is around 20.000.000 m3 methane per year. - The anaerobic digestion takes place in three overall stages. The first stage is hydrolysis, where large structures, i.e. polymers (proteins, carbohydrates and fats) are broken down to monomers (amino acids, sugars and fatty acids) by acidogenic hydrolytic bacteria. The second stage is fermentation, where these monomers are degraded further into smaller molecules such as volatile fatty acids by acidogenic fermentative bacteria. The third stage is methanogenesis, where acetogenic bacteria further degrade the molecules to acetate or hydrogen and CO 2 . The acetate can then be converted into methane and CO 2 by aceticlastic methanogenic bacteria and the hydrogenotrophic methanogenic bacteria finally converts the hydrogen and CO 2 into methane and water. NUTRIENT RICH PRODUCT (5) The nutrient rich product produced in the thermo-chemical process comprises phosphorous in a concentration of at least 0.1 wt % such as at least 1.0 wt %; preferably in a concentration of at least 2.0 wt %; even more preferably the nutrient rich product comprises phosphorous in a concentration of at least 3.0 wt % such as a phosphorous content of at least 4.0 wt %. Due to process conditions in the thermo-chemical process the nutrient rich product produced by the process are substantially free of pathogens. By substantially free of pathogens is meant that the content is reduced below detection. Further, and again due to the process conditions in the thermo-chemical process, the nutrient rich product is substantially free of microplastics. By substantially free of microplastics is meant that the content is reduced to below 0.006 wt%. Further, and again due to the process conditions in the thermo-chemical process, the nutrient rich product is substantially free of pharmaceutical traces. By substantially free of pharmaceutical traces is meant that the content is reduced to below detection limits. The nutrient rich solid product from the thermo-chemical step may be mixed with a part of the concentrated digestate from the concentration step (b) for use as a fertilizer product. The nutrient rich solid product and/or a solid product from the thermo-chemical step may be dried using heat recovered from the thermo-chemical step. If the thermo-reductive step is a slow pyrolysis, the carbon content in the nutrient rich solid product may be above 50 wt%. If the thermo-reductive step is fast pyrolysis, the carbon content in the nutrient rich solid product may be below 50 wt%. The solid fraction from a hydrothermal liquefaction process may be subject to a simple washing step using water or other solvents, including organic solvents, to extract desired inorganic compounds and may successively be dried using excess heat from the process. CONCENTRATION OF DIGESTATE (3) The dry matter content of digestate from the anaerobic digestion step (ba) is preferably concentrated to at least 25 % by weight in the digestate concentration step (c) prior to the thermo reductive step (d) such as at least 30 % by weight; preferably the dry matter content of the digestate from the anaerobic digestion step (b) is concentrated to at least 35 % by weight such as at least 40 % by weight prior to the thermo reductive step (d). The digestate concentration step (c) comprises for example use of a filter press and/or a decanter centrifuge and/or a screw press and/or a double screw press. PYROLYSIS (4) The thermo reductive step (d) may comprise a pyrolysis process such as a slow pyrolysis process or a catalytic pyrolysis process. In the present context, the thermo-chemical process may also be referred to as a thermo-chemical step, a thermo reductive step, or a thermo reductive process. The concentrated digestate (c) is further dried to a dry matter content of at least 85 % by weight such as at least 90 % by weight prior to entering the pyrolysis process. The heat required for drying the digestate is at least partly supplied by heat recovered from the pyrolysis process, for example the heat may be generated from combustion of the pyrolysis gas and/or oil. The evaporated moisture in the drying process is condensed, and wherein the recovered latent heat is used to heat the incoming feedstock to the anaerobic digestor. - Temperature range for slow pyrolysis process (above 350 °) - Products from slow pyrolysis process (biochar (around 50% of feedstock C), bio-oil (around 25% of feedstock C), pyrolysis gas (CO, CO2, H2, other; around 25% of feedstock C) - Catalytic pyrolysis process will typically be carried out at 450-600 °C, and the residence time will typically be between 0.1 and 10 seconds. The process requires an inert atmosphere (no oxygen), for maximizing bio oil yield. HYDROTHERMAL LIQUEFACTION (4) Alternatively, the thermo reductive step (d) may comprise a hydrothermal liquefaction process characterized by A. preparing a pumpable feed mixture from the concentrated digestate; B. pressurizing the feed mixture to a pressure in the range 100 to 400 bar; C. heating the feed mixture to a conversion temperature in the range 250 to 410 °C thereby producing a converted feed mixture; D. cooling the converted feed mixture to a temperature in the range 50 to 250 °C; E. depressurizing the converted feed mixture to a pressure in the range 1 to 70 bar; F. separating the converted feed mixture into an oil phase, a gas phase, and an aqueous phase, and a solid phase. The hydrothermal liquefaction process may comprise heating and converting the feed mixture at a temperature up to 400 °C such as heating and converting the feed mixture at a temperature of up to 390 °C; preferably heating and converting the feed mixture at a temperature of up to 380 °C such as heating and converting the feed mixture at a temperature of up to 374 °C. The hydrothermal liquefaction process may comprise heating and converting the feed mixture to a temperature of above 280°C such as heating and converting the feed mixture at a temperature of above to 300 °C; preferably heating and converting the feed mixture at a temperature of above to 330 °C such as heating and converting the feed mixture at a temperature above 350 °C. In order to optimize the hydrothermal liquefaction process, the pumpable feed mixture may be preheated to at least 80 °C prior to entering the pressurization step such as preheating the feed mixture to at least 100 °C prior to entering the preheating step; preferably the feed mixture is preheated to a temperature of at least 120 °C such as a temperature of at least 150 °C prior to entering the pressurization step; even more preferably the feed mixture is heated to at least 170 °C such as at least 200 °C prior to entering the pressurization step. The hydrothermal liquefaction process may include that the feed mixture is pre- pressurized to a pressure of up to 50 bars prior to the preheating step such as a pre- pressurization of the feed mixture of up to 40 bars prior to the preheating step; preferably the feed mixture is pre-pressurized to a pressure of up to 30 bars prior to the preheating step such as pre-pressurizing the feed mixture to a pressure of up to 20 bars prior to the preheating step. Advantageously the feed mixture is pressurized to at least 50 bars in the pressurization step prior to heating the feed mixture to the conversion temperature in the heating step (C) such as pressurizing the feed mixture to a pressure of at least 80 bars in the pressurization step; preferable the feed mixture is pressurized to a pressure of at least 150 bars prior to heating the feed mixture to the conversion temperature such as a pressurizing the feed mixture to a pressure of at least 180 bar prior to heating the feed mixture to the conversion temperature. The density of the feed mixture during the conversion at the conversion temperature is maintained in the range 100 to 800 kg/m 3 such as in the range 300 to 700 kg/m 3 ; preferably the density of the feed mixture at the conversion temperature is maintained in the range 350 to 650 kg/m 3 such as in the range 400 to 600 kg/m 3 . Preferably the pH of the conversion process is maintained so that the pH value of the aqueous phase separated from the converted feed mixture is alkaline. Preferably the pH of the conversion process is controlled so that the pH value of the aqueous phase separated from the converted feed mixture is alkaline. Preferably the pH of the conversion process is maintained so that the pH value of the aqueous phase separated from the converted feed mixture is above 8 such as a pH value of aqueous phase separated from the converted feed mixture of at least 8.5; preferably the pH value of the aqueous phase separated from the converted feed mixture is in the range 8 to 10 such as a pH of the aqueous phase separated from the converted feed mixture in the range 8.5-9.5. Preferably the pH of the aqueous phase separated from the converted feed mixture is controlled by adding a base to the feed mixture in the feed mixture preparation step. Preferably the base is selected among potassium carbonate, potassium hydroxide, potassium formate, potassium acetate, sodium carbonate, sodium hydroxide, sodium formate and/or sodium acetate, ammonia or a combination thereof. The control of the pH may at least partly be performed by at least partly recycling the separated aqueous phase from the separation to the feed mixture preparation step. The bio-oil produced is at least partly recycled to the feed mixture preparation step (a). A solid phase is separated from the converted feed mixture prior to cooling the converted feed mixture. To obtain individual parts of the solid phase residue as separate streams the solid phase is separated in a hydro cyclone and/or one or more filters. To avoid high ash and high nitrogen content in the bio-oil, the concentrated digestate fraction may advantageously be washed with water prior to the thermo-chemical step. The water may preferably be a recycled, water stream from the thermo-chemical process step or the drying step in case of a hydrothermal liquefaction process or a pyrolysis process, respectively. The wash water may be mixed with the liquid digestate fraction from the separation step. In Fig. 2 the recycling streams are shown including further options for reusing water and residual heat, hereby increasing the energy efficiency of the gas and bio-oil production further. The fact that some of the streams shown in Fig. 1 or 3 are left out does not exclude the combination of these. In Fig. 3 the recycling streams are shown including further options for reusing water and residual heat, hereby increasing the energy efficiency of the gas and bio-oil production further. The fact that some of the streams shown in Fig. 1 or 2 are left out does not exclude the combination of these. The method of separating and purifying products from a thermo-chemical conversion process of carbonaceous material including an inorganic solid phase, the method comprising separating a gas comprising CO 2 from the product mixture in a degasser such as a flash separator, and separating a water phase from the at least partly degassed converted feed mixture in a first separation step of the separation, and adding washing agents in the form of an acidifying agent and a diluent to the at least partly degassed and at least partly dewatered product mixture, and separating the mixture with added washing agents into an oil rich phase, a water rich phase and a solid rich phase in a second step of the separation process, and further at least partly recovering the diluent from the oil rich phase. Hereby an aqueous washing agent is added to the oil rich phase from the second separation step, and the mixture separated into at least a further purified oil rich phase and a water rich phase in a third separation step, and at least partly recovering the diluent from the further purified oil rich phase. The solid phase from the second separation is further dried to a dry solids phase and an aqueous phase containing diluent and/or a diluent rich phase. The separated aqueous phase containing diluent and/or the diluent rich phase from the solids drying step is/are recycled and added to the separated water rich phase from the third separator, preferably after withdrawing a bleed stream. The solids phase may be further processed to phosphoric acid and/or mono calcium phosphate (MCP) and/or di calcium phosphate (DCP) and/or mono ammonium phosphate (MAP) and/or di- ammonium phosphate (DAP) and/or struvite (MgNH4PO4, MgKPO4). Waste water treatment precipitation chemicals such as ferric chloride and/or aluminum sulphate and/or aluminum chloride is recovered from the solids phase from the second separation. The solid phase from the second separator is subjected to an acid dissolution step and where the acid for the dissolution step comprises sulphuric acid, hydrochloric acid, nitric acid or phosphoric acid. Hereby the pH of the dissolution step is in the range 1.0- 3.0, such as in the range 1.5-2.5. The liquid from the dissolution step comprising dissolved P is separated from the residual solids and precipitated by addition of a base. The liquid from the dissolution step is mixed with the bleed of the water rich phase from the second separation step. The base for said precipitation comprises ammonia. The ammonia added is at least partly recovered from the separated gaseous product comprising CO 2 from the degasser and/or the water phase from the first separation step. The base for said precipitation comprises lime and/or sodium hydroxide and/or potassium hydroxide. A magnesium salt such as MgCl 2 , MgClO2, MgClO 4 may be added to the liquid from the dissolution step and/or the water rich phase from the second separation step prior to or during the precipitation. Preferably the pH of the liquid after the precipitation is in the range 7.0 to 9.5 such as a pH in the range 7.5 to 9.0. The precipitated phosphorous product is separated from the residual liquid by filtering and/or centrifugation. Heavy metals, if present, are recovered from the residual liquid by ion exchange, where the ion exchange step comprises two or more fixed beds comprising cation resin. The carbonaceous material may comprise sludge from waste-water treatment such as biosolids, sewage sludge, primary sludge, secondary sludge, digestate from anaerobic digestion of sludges or combinations thereof. Further the carbonaceous material comprises sorted biogenic municipal waste and/or biogenic household waste or food waste, where the carbonaceous material may be shredded or pulped biogenic municipal waste and/or shredded or pulped biogenic household waste and/or shredded or pulped food waste. Still further the carbonaceous material comprises manure such as dewatered livestock production. The carbonaceous material may comprise digestate from anaerobic digestion. The carbonaceous material comprises a lignocellulosic material. The carbonaceous material may comprise two or more feedstocks. The dry matter content of the carbonaceous material in the feed mixture may be increased by adding one or more drier feedstocks to the feed mixture. Hereby the drier feedstocks being added to the feed mixture have a moisture content of less than 60 % by weight such as a moisture content of less than 50 % by weight, preferable a moisture content of less than 20 % such as a moisture content of less than 10 %.