Bion completes Technology-Optimization Report for Ammonia Recovery System

Bion Environmental (BNET) Technologies has completed the Technology-Optimization Report for its Ammonia Recovery System at Fair Oaks, IN.The optimized ARS demonstrated it is stable and can maintain continuous steady-state operations; it is reliable; and it is scalable. The ARS also showed it can achieve its ammonia reduction targets by evaporating one-third less water than was anticipated and modeled. That translates to significantly better economics, including lower fertilizer production costs. The platform is now ready for the final design process of a full-scale commercial system, which is subject to project-specific details, location, and feedstock characteristics. Bion is currently evaluating more than two dozen potential projects, with dozens more in the pipeline. The Report details over a decade of ARS concept development and technology R&D, with an emphasis on what was accomplished during the optimization phase at Fair Oaks. Bion engaged Buflovak, a New York engineering firm, as its ARS development partner, due to their specific expertise in evaporation, distillation, and separation processes. The Buflovak engineering team was integrally involved during six years of ARS R&D and testing, including providing guidance during the 18-month optimization phase at Fair Oaks, and a final review of the Report. The Buflovak engineering team is available to discuss the report and its conclusions. Economics were not evaluated during optimization, but the substantial operational improvements that were achieved have a direct impact on modeled system economics and fertilizer production costs. Fair Oaks results indicate operating costs for a full-scale commercial system will be about 25% lower than previously modeled, with a corresponding decrease in fertilizer production costs. Modeled capital cost, either overall or as a function of fertilizer or treatment capacity, will decrease significantly, as well.