2.5 million liters of liquid manure leaked in the Oberhavel district

In the Oberhavel district's Zehdenick, a substantial mishap occurred at a biogas plant on Saatzuchtgut road. On a chilly Sunday morning, for reasons yet unclear, a 2.5-million-liter slurry tank burst, spewing its contents over a 400 by 400-meter area. The local authorities promptly declared an environmental crisis in the affected zone. Thankfully, the fire department swiftly intervened, employing pumps to displace the spilled liquid manure into alternative containers. Alas, the financial toll amounted to a hefty 100,000 euros.

The accident serves as a stark reminder of the need for stringent regulations and safety measures in biogas plants to prevent similar incidents. In this context, it's crucial to underline that comprehensive biogas plant management involves both regulatory guidelines and practical best practices.

Regulatory Guidelines

1. OSHA Confined Space Safety: Adhering to OSHA recommendations (29 CFR 1910.146) is vital. This includes wearing gas detectors, having another person monitor employees, and implementing safety devices that can be activated remotely if needed.
2. Emergency Action Plans (EAPs): Drafting EAPs is essential as they guide employees, offering them instructions in the event of emergencies related to the digester. Such plans should comprise emergency contact numbers, facility addresses, and detailed site maps.
3. Tag-Out and Lock-Out Systems: Employing tag-out and lock-out strategies, as outlined in OSHA standard 29 CFR 1910.147, ensures safe equipment shutdown before repairs or maintenance.

Best Practices

1. Regular Maintenance: Frequent maintenance is indispensable for preventing potential malfunctions and safety hazards. This entails checking loading rates, following digester instructions, and forecasting biogas methane content.
2. Training and Safety Equipment: All personnel, visitors, and farm workers need thorough training to operate around digesters safely. They should learn biogas handling, emergency shutdowns, and gas leak detection through ongoing training sessions.
3. Pathogen Control: Implementing measures to curb pathogens like E. coli and Salmonella is pivotal. Proper biogas handling and storage can significantly decrease the risk of environmental release.
4. Gas Detection and Monitoring: Continuous emissions monitoring of methane, carbon dioxide, and hydrogen sulfide is essential for identifying potential gas leaks and ensuring employee safety.
5. Design and Construction: Ensuring sufficient freeboard and equipping digesters with overflow or automated shutdown system prevents spills and accidental discharges into the gas collecting system.
6. Emergency Contact List: Creating an emergency contact list for trained professionals is paramount to effectively responding to emergencies.

By adhering meticulously to these guidelines and best practices, biogas plant operators can significantly minimize the likelihood of hazardous liquid manure leaks and their detrimental environmental consequences.