Biométhagri 34, in Florensac, the example of an agricultural operation focused on innovation and the future

Bérenger Carrier a fait visiter son unité de méthanisation agricole. Midi Libre – Mélissa Alcoléa

Bérenger Carrier gave a tour of his agricultural methanization unit. Midi Libre – Mélissa Alcoléa

Bérenger Carrier shows his “black gold” which will be spread. These are residues or digested waste resulting from methanization. Midi Libre – Mélissa Alcoléa

On this 600-hectare family cereal farm, a methanizer was inaugurated in June 2022, allowing the production and injection of biogas into the GRDF network. A first and a unique example for the moment in Hérault.

"This is the first 100% agricultural methanization unit in Hérault, based on the development of ;a family farm."In front of around fifteen people, farmers, agronomy students, members of the Chamber of Agriculture, Bérenger Carrier explains the processes implemented on his Florensac farm of 600 hectares of "field crops& quot; (seeds, cereals) with perfect mastery of his subject. Because the subject is as innovative as it is technical and cutting-edge. This Thursday, March 3, this morning of discovery is organized by the Chamber of Agriculture as part of Innov’action, a program intended to promote initiatives. Visitors are particularly attentive and interested…

Biogas injected into the network

The methanizer was in fact inaugurated on June 17, 2022, the fruit of several years of reflection and work, with the support of institutional support. And for an investment of 5 million euros. "I have been here for 12 years and I immediately focused on the potential of my soil." And to see "the weakness of my soils in organic matter." The’idea : &quot ;How to reproduce the rotation breeding scheme ?" System which enriches the soil. Anaerobic digestion appeared to be the appropriate solution allowing, in addition, to reduce the use of phytosanitary products. In short: Biométhagri 34 uses intermediate crops with energy recovery (Cive) (rye, oats… covered) to feed the methanizer. And as a result, the operation becomes energy positive , that is to say that it produces more energy than it consumes. The biomethane produced is injected into the GRDF network. "We produce the equivalent of the needs of 1 900 households." For Florensac but not only. "Because for nine months, consumption is not sufficient compared to everything we produce at the moment." A connection was therefore implemented to supply Saint-Thibéry, Bessan and even Béziers.

A contract for the resale of carbon

The operation has also obtained the low carbon label. "We have carbon sequestration of 30 % more than what we emit", indicates Bérenger Carrier who says" rsquo;preparing to sign a contract for the resale of carbon to a trader, 50 € per ton. "We're among the first, I'll probably wipe the plaster", he estimates, before relaunching the visit.< /p>

Concretely, "we feed the methanizer every day, it consumes between 20 and 24 tonnes". Volumes are managed automatically. And there are two "stomachs", two digesters which will ultimately reproduce "the same thing as& ;rsquo;a base of cows." The digestates resulting from this process (75% liquid, 25% solid) will then be used, like a black gold resembling manure, for spreading in the fields, as closely as possible. nbsp;and in an optimized way thanks to a digital tool.

"In 5 years, we will do a first soil analysis" to see if the effects are convincing. If the levels of organic matter in the soil have increased in order to promote crops.

Technique: the different stages of the process

Between 20 and 24 tonnes of materials feed the methanizer every day (including 75% from intermediate crops and 25% from external inputs). laughing). Biological monitoring is carried out; every 15 days, with analyzes sent to the laboratory. The entire process is supervised and reasoned. The materials are brought into the bowl equipped with a bowl. a crusher, then a fermenter. "To prevent the materials from freezing, we will stir and heat", explains Bérenger Carrier. The process is carried out anaerobically. To allow the extraction of molecules. Nets allow the crystallization of the sulfur which will fall to the bottom of the fermenters. A membrane filtration system then allows only the smaller molecules of CH4 (methane) to pass and retains the CO2, part of which returns to the atmosphere. The water is recovered elsewhere. "And every day, we extract a volume of m&ethanized, mineralized material, for the fieldsé quot;, the digestate.

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