Overview
Transforming food and beverage waste into clean energy requires precise thermal control—and for Purpose Energy, custom heat exchangers from KAM Thermal Equipment are a key part of that equation. From brewery waste to ice cream runoff, these systems rely on maintaining consistent temperatures to fuel anaerobic digestion. By partnering with KAM, Purpose Energy ensured that their digesters stayed at optimal temperature—maximizing biogas output and operational uptime even through extreme seasonal shifts.
About Purpose Energy
This renewable energy company designs and operates anaerobic digestion facilities that turn nutrient-rich wastewater from food manufacturers into biogas, electricity, and fertilizer. By capturing waste from breweries, dairies, and food plants, they reduce environmental impact while generating valuable energy and agricultural byproducts. Their closed-loop model plays a major role in the circular economy of food production waste management.
The Challenge: Maintaining Critical Digester Temperatures
Anaerobic digestion systems must maintain steady internal temperatures—typically around 100°F—to support microbial activity and consistent biogas production. Many of these digesters are installed outdoors, making them vulnerable to seasonal and ambient temperature swings.
Without reliable thermal equipment, the risks included:
- Inconsistent digester performance
- Decreased biogas yield
- Increased energy use and operating costs
- Thermal stress on critical process equipment
The Solution: Custom Heat Exchangers Built to Spec
KAM Thermal Equipment worked hand-in-hand with the engineering team to design and fabricate custom shell and tube heat exchangers that matched the exact thermal demands of each project site. These units were engineered for reliability and integration—ensuring long-term thermal performance in outdoor, variable-temperature environments.
Results of the custom approach:
- Stable, consistent digester temperatures
- Reliable conditions for year-round biogas production
- Easy integration into existing facility layouts
“KAM Thermal isn’t just a vendor — they’re a partner in helping us design heat exchangers that fit our specific applications.”
The Results: Supporting Renewable Energy Through Consistent Thermal Performance
✅ Maintained critical 100°F digester temps across all systems
✅ Improved uptime and reduced risk of process interruptions
✅ Supported consistent biogas production—even during cold weather
With KAM’s systems in place, Purpose Energy was able to generate over 9.5 gigawatt-hours of renewable energy for the Vermont power grid—demonstrating how small design details can have huge real-world energy impacts.
Environmental Impact Beyond Energy
This project didn’t just boost energy efficiency—it helped Purpose Energy deliver on broader environmental goals:
- Reduced nutrient loading into municipal wastewater treatment systems
- Minimized phosphorus discharge, protecting local waterways from algae blooms
- Created organic fertilizers from digester solids—supporting sustainable agriculture
About KAM Thermal Equipment
KAM Thermal Equipment is a 4th-generation, family-owned manufacturer of custom shell and tube heat exchangers and tube bundle replacements. Built in the USA and compliant with ASME and TEMA standards, KAM serves industries like renewable energy, oil & gas, food processing, power generation, and more—delivering thermal performance that stands the test of time.
📞 Ready to Power Your Process?
Visit kamthermal.com or call (631) 348-4800 to speak with our engineering team today.