Introduction
The effective management of food waste from collective catering facilities is a major challenge for the foodservice sector. Digesters are an innovative solution that enables the recovery of organic waste while reducing environmental impact.
The optimal operation of these units requires high-performance, adapted ventilation. With this in mind, SEAT Ventilation and Biotech Environnement collaborated to identify the most relevant ventilation solution for digesters used in collective catering facilities.
This white paper presents the case study of this collaboration and details why the Storm 12 fan has established itself as the reference solution for this demanding application.
Project Background
Biotech Environnement: A Key Player in Organic Waste Recovery
Biotech Environnement positions itself as an equipment integrator specialising in organic waste treatment and recovery solutions. The company supports its clients in implementing anaerobic digestion and composting systems tailored to their specific needs.
For its collective catering projects, Biotech Environnement was looking for a reliable, compact, and versatile ventilation solution capable of adapting to the various installation configurations encountered in the field.
The Application: Ventilation of Digesters for Collective Catering Facilities
Digesters installed in collective catering facilities convert food waste into recoverable biogas and digestate that can be used as an organic soil amendment. These units require specific ventilation for several essential reasons:
- Fermentation gas extraction — controlled extraction of biogas (methane and CO₂)
- Internal pressure regulation — maintaining a slight negative pressure for process safety
- Odour management — capture and treatment of odorous compounds
- Atmospheric renewal — controlled air supply according to process phases
The Storm 12: Technical Specifications
General Overview
The Storm 12 is part of SEAT Ventilation's Storm range, a series of fans designed for demanding industrial applications. The Storm 12 model is distinguished by its 315 mm (approximately 12 inch) impeller diameter, offering an optimal balance between compactness and aeraulic performance.
Key Characteristics
Standard Configuration
The Storm 12 Standard is offered in a non-ATEX configuration, providing several advantages in terms of cost, availability, and ease of maintenance, while retaining the expected aeraulic performance.
Motor Options
One of the major strengths lies in its availability in multiple motor powers (0.18 kW and 0.37 kW), allowing precise performance adaptation to the specific requirements of each installation.
Performance and Construction
- Variable airflow capacity depending on motor power and static pressure
- High static pressure available
- Dynamically balanced impeller to minimise vibrations
- Compact footprint for optimal integration
Installation in Collective Catering Digesters
Typical Installation Configuration
The Storm 12 is installed in blowing mode on the digester to make contact with a heating element, and diffuses warm air over the organic residues inside the digester. It maintains a slight positive pressure within the unit.
Installation Constraints in Collective Catering
The Storm 12 design facilitates regular maintenance operations without requiring complex disassembly, an essential criterion for collective catering facilities where accessibility may be limited.
Analysis of Selection Criteria
Available Pressure
Available static pressure is the primary argument that guided the selection of the Storm 12 Standard. The Storm 12 provides sufficient static pressure to overcome aeraulic resistances while maintaining the required airflow.
Multiple Motor Powers
The ability to select the appropriate motor power (0.18 kW and 0.37 kW) allows optimisation of energy consumption (IE3 motor), acquisition cost, aeraulic performance, and long-term reliability.
Standardised Connection
The connection diameter corresponds to standardised dimensions, offering compatibility with accessories, easy procurement of spare parts, and the possibility of future replacement without major modification.
Benefits for Biotech Environnement and Its Clients
For the Integrator
Choosing the Storm 12 provides several advantages for Biotech Environnement:
- Solution reliability — proven field performance
- Ease of design — simplified sizing
- Cost optimisation — optimal value for money
- Controlled lead times — stock availability
- Enhanced brand image — with end clients
For End Clients
Facilities equipped with digesters ventilated by the Storm 12 benefit from multiple operational advantages:
- Effective food waste treatment — optimal performance
- Control of odour nuisances — daily comfort
- Enhanced safety — controlled gas management
- Optimised energy consumption — IE3 motors
- Simplified maintenance — easy accessibility
- Regulatory compliance — meets standards
Conclusion
The case study of the Storm 12's integration into collective catering digesters demonstrates the importance of rigorous selection of ventilation equipment based on the actual constraints of the application.
The main arguments — available pressure, reduced footprint, availability of multiple motor powers — prove decisive in guaranteeing successful installation and end client satisfaction.
This collaboration illustrates the added value of a technical and pragmatic approach in designing high-performance, durable systems. In a context where organic waste recovery is becoming a major environmental and regulatory challenge, collective catering facilities need reliable and proven solutions.
The Storm 12 Standard establishes itself as a reference for this application, combining technical performance, ease of integration, and economic optimisation.
About SEAT Ventilation
SEAT Ventilation designs and manufactures industrial ventilation solutions adapted to the most demanding environments. Our technical expertise and quality commitment make us the preferred partner for integrators and industrial companies for their ventilation projects.
