Anaerobic digestion and MVR technology: when trust is built over time, it gives rise to high-value-added projects.
FE recently installed a new evaporator and compressor at the LEIESTROOM anaerobic digestion site in Menen, Belgium. The project was carried out in collaboration with BiogasTec NV.
This site holds a special place in FE’s history. FE commissioned its first installation there back in 2011. More than a decade later, this longstanding collaboration continues to grow stronger, driven by a shared commitment to technological and energy-related progress. Over the years, FE and LEIESTROOM have built a relationship grounded in mutual trust. These projects demonstrate that lasting partnerships between industrial players are a genuine driver of innovation and performance.
A transition towards greater energy efficiency
As part of this modernization, LEIESTROOM evolved its process. The operator chose to move away from its existing cogeneration engines and evaporation pond in favour of a solution based on Mechanical Vapour Recompression (MVR).
This transition enables the site to better control its electricity consumption, improve overall efficiency, and significantly reduce its environmental footprint. Through this modernization, the operator reaffirms its commitment to adopting more high-performing and sustainable processes, while optimizing the site’s overall energy management.
An installation complemented by a high-performance pre-evaporator
FE completed the installation with a pre-evaporator (PEV), equipped with a hot water heating system, in order to optimize the recovery of available thermal energy. This configuration enhances the overall process efficiency, strengthens the reliability and robustness of operations, and provides flexibility for future developments.
This project is a testament to the renewed confidence of a long-standing partner and to FE’s expertise in designing, adapting, and deploying high-performance, scalable industrial equipment. It demonstrates how the combination of recognized technical know-how and long-term relationships enables the development of high-value-added solutions — environmentally responsible and perfectly tailored to the specific needs of each site.
