A farm-based biogas plant in Hokkaido, Japan, has installed a Landia GasMix system after previous mixers struggled with manure and agricultural feedstock.
The plant, located in a remote rural area on the northernmost of Japan’s main islands, had experienced operational issues linked to high-solids farm waste. According to Landia, the original mixers were not coping effectively with grit, straw and heavier particles commonly found in agricultural feedstock.
The site has now replaced those mixers with Landia’s externally mounted GasMix system for biogas reactors, which uses recirculation and venturi nozzles to mix digester contents. The system is designed so that mechanical components sit outside the digester, allowing maintenance to be carried out without draining the tank.
Reducing maintenance disruption
For remote biogas plants, maintenance access can be a major operational issue. The previous mixer arrangement could not be retrieved for repair without draining the digester, creating cost, labour and downtime challenges.
The new installation uses two 18.5kW floor-mounted Landia Chopper Pumps, which run for 15 minutes per hour. The pumps help break down heavier particles while recirculating and homogenising digester sludge.
By injecting sludge back into the digester, the system increases the active surface area available for anaerobic bacteria and supports both vertical and horizontal mixing. Because there are no moving or wearing parts inside the tank, servicing can be completed externally.
“In such a remote, rural area, reliable equipment is essential,” said Fergus Clark from Landia Asia/Pacific. “Many mixers are just fine in other, gentler applications, but at a biogas plant, unless they are designed for purpose, cannot deal properly with the grit, straw and solids that you always have to contend with in an agricultural feedstock.”
Supporting farm energy use
The Hokkaido installation also supports wider farm energy use. With more dependable digester mixing, the biogas plant can use excess heat for cow sheds during the island’s cold winters, while exporting surplus renewable electricity to the grid.
“Now, with an efficient and highly dependable mixing system, the farmer has a perfectly healthy biogas plant that can utilise the much-needed excess heat for his cow sheds in Hokkaido’s very cold winters – and sell excess renewable energy to the grid,” Clark added.
The project reflects the growing role of bioenergy and anaerobic digestion in managing agricultural residues while producing usable heat and power. For farm operators, reliable mixing is central to maintaining stable digestion, reducing maintenance disruption and keeping biogas production consistent.
More information is available from Landia.
FAQs
What has Landia installed in Japan?
Landia has supplied a GasMix digester mixing system for a farm-based biogas plant in Hokkaido, Japan.
Why was the system installed?
The plant’s previous mixers were struggling with high-solids manure and agricultural feedstock, including grit, straw and heavier particles.
How does the Landia GasMix system work?
The system uses externally mounted pumps and venturi nozzles to recirculate and mix sludge inside the digester, supporting both vertical and horizontal mixing.
Why is external maintenance important?
Because the mechanical components are outside the digester, servicing can be carried out without opening or draining the tank, reducing downtime and maintenance disruption.
How does the biogas plant use the energy it produces?
The plant can use excess heat for cow sheds during Hokkaido’s cold winters and sell surplus renewable energy to the grid.
