Liquid additive V TRACE series

V TRACE is a trace element supplement for biogas plants designed to improve micronutrient supply, enhance process stability and sustainably optimize methane production. It relies on chelated trace elements — most notably Fe-HEEDTA — to increase biological availability and to prevent precipitation of essential elements.

Key benefits and mode of action

• Improves biological availability of trace elements through chelation (metal-organic complexes), ensuring microorganisms in the fermenter can access essential micronutrients.
• Fe-HEEDTA (iron chelate) stabilizes other chelates and inorganic elements (e.g. molybdenum, selenium), reducing precipitation and maintaining availability under challenging process conditions.
• Dual complexation prevents precipitation with sulfide or free fatty acids (e.g. during acidosis) while preserving nutrient uptake by microorganisms.

Practical example (trial)

• Test plant: 250 kW biogas plant with substrate mix 60% maize silage, 35% pig slurry, 5% cattle manure.
• Result: V TRACE L9 unlocked additional performance potential and, with continued use, ensured stable plant operation — enabling effective application of enzyme preparations.

Product variants

• V TRACE L9 — formulation optimized for biomethane production from plant-based substrates.
• V TRACE W6 — trace element supplement optimized for digesting agricultural residues and manure.

Five reasons to apply V TRACE

• Extremely low dosage with minimal residual trace element load in digestate.
• Demand-driven dosing based on organic total solids (oTS).
• pH-optimized for the biogas process.
• Long-term protection against sulfide precipitation and sustained biological availability.
• Lowest hazard classification level for handling and environment.

Technical characteristics / specifications

• Formulation: Chelated trace element supplement (metal-organic complexes).
• Key chelate: Fe-HEEDTA (N-(2-Hydroxyethyl)-ethylenediamine-N,N',N'-triacetic acid complex).
• Purpose: Compensates temporary deficiencies in essential trace elements and stabilizes biogas process performance.
• Application strategy: Demand-driven dosing based on oTS; very low application rates.
• Variants available: L9 (biomethane-optimized) and W6 (for agricultural residues and manure).
• Process advantages: Prevents precipitation (sulfide, fatty acids), stabilizes other chelates and inorganic elements (molybdenum, selenium), pH-optimized.
• Environmental / safety: Minimal residual trace element load in digestate; lowest hazard classification level.