Biogas: Difference between revisions

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{{Category=Biofuel}}
[[File:Cooking_with_biogas.jpg|300px|thumb|right|Cooking with biogas]]
== Challenges ==
'''A gas produced by the breakdown of organic matter in the absence of oxygen.'''
Biogas production can be problematic in temperate climates: low temperatures may lead to breakdown of microbial populations. This can potentially be overcome with insulation or earth sheltering.  
[[File:Gas_generator.jpg|300px|thumb|right|Electric generator from biogas]]
 
=About=
*Biogas is carbon neutral - [https://biogas.ifas.ufl.edu/FAQ.asp#:~:text=Thus%2C%20biogas%20production%20is%20carbon,biogas%20will%20lower%20CO2%20emissions.]
*Poop to biogas car, Fast Company - [https://www.fastcompany.com/3027144/this-new-hyundai-car-runs-on-the-poop-of-california-residents-and-the-fuel-is-free]
*Industry growing at 12% per year. [https://americanbiogascouncil.org/resources/why-biogas/]
 
= Applications =
* Used for cooking, heating, electrical generation
* Compressed and cleaned biogas for transportation with internal combustion engines
* Liquid slurry from digester tank can be used to fertilize [[duckweed]] pond
* Solid contents from digester can be composted ([[vermicompost]], [[Black Soldier Fly|BSF compost]], [[biochar]] compost)
* The CO2 contained in biogas can be piped into a [[Greenhouses|greenhouse]] to give a boost to plant growth (CO2 concentrations up to 1500ppm may be beneficial). This is effect widely used by commercial growers, who are using mostly fossil fuel gases (heating/[[CO2 Enrichment]]).
* Production of [[Direct Reduced Iron|Direct reduced iron]] from rust or high-grade iron ore.
* Various other uses in [[:Category:Metalworks|metallurgy]] and glassworks
* [[CNC_Torch_Table_Control_Overview#Oxy-propane.2C_-natural_gas.2C_etc| Oxy-fuel torch cutting]]
 
== To think about ==
* Biogas production may need insulation or earth sheltering when used in cold climates witch could otherwise lead to breakdown of microbial populations. With CEB-blocks and insulation and option of heating, this is a design issue.
 
* Biogas can contain some sulfur (that smells like rotting eggs) and it is then not recommended to be used in engines for a prolonged time. The sulfuric acid can accumulate in the engine oil and it will need replacing and or cleaning after a while. To avoid some of this do not feed the digester with objects that generate this gas like plasterwalls.. There exists some additive that can limit this but should not be needed in this case. When used for direct burning like with a gas-nozzle for cooking it can be used directly. But some don't like that smell when cooking.
* Compressing into gas cylinders if needed for mobile transportation and more easy handling.
* Create smaller pieces of bulky biomass before it go into the digester to make it more effective, Could be using the [[Hammer Mill|hammer mill]]
 
== Biodigester ==
A sealed container that carries out the anaerobic digestion process. It needs to be able to separate and remove the liquid and gas phases and have an entrance/exit for the substrate. Sometimes heated and stir the content to produce even more.
Some new digesters have a step before the liquid is exiting the digester there it is heated up to 70 degree Celsius to remove some more of possible pathogens that could have survived.
* [[CEB Vaults|Guastavino masonry]] or plain CEBs to build biogas digester and holding tank for stored biogas. One holding tank could be used for the storage of biogas and [[Compressed Fuel Gas|Compressed fuel gas]].


Biogas can be dirty (high sulfur content etc.) Use of biogas: when used for combustion, no upgrading necessary. When intended use is internal combustion engine (transportation), biogas may need to be upgraded (cleaned).  
== Cleaning or upgrading ==
Biogas needs cleaning or upgrading to remove as much as possible of the contained sulfur and or carbon dioxide and reach a higher energy value (see Appropedia: [http://www.appropedia.org/Biogas_hydrogen_sulfide_scrubbing_project Biogas hydrogen sulfide scrubbing project] and [http://www.appropedia.org/Biogas_CO2_scrubbing_project Biogas CO2 scrubbing project]). The scrubbed carbon dioxide can be fed into a greenhouse for [[CO2 Enrichment]]. Upgrading is also necessary to be able to use biogas in engines for mobile gas-car transportation or electrical generation and limit corrosion and wear in motors.


[[File:Cooking_with_biogas.jpg|300px|thumb|right|Cooking with biogas]]
See [[Biogas Upgrader]]


[[File:Construction_of_digester.jpg|300px|thumb|right|Construction of underground digester with bricks. This is common in rural India and China]]
[[File:Construction_of_digester.jpg|300px|thumb|right|Construction of underground digester with bricks. This is common in rural India and China]]


==Simple Open Source Biogas System==  
=Simple Open Source Biogas System=  
[http://www.supergas.dk/ Supergas] - In 1996-97 [http://www.superflex.net/ Superflex] collaborated with biogas engineer Jan Mallan to construct a simple, portable biogas unit that can produce sufficient gas for the cooking and lighting needs of an African family. The system has been adapted to meet the efficiency and style demands of a modern African consumer. It is intended to match the needs and economic resources that we believe exist in small-scale economies. The orange biogas plant produces biogas from organic materials, such as human and animal stools. For a modest sum, a family will be able to buy such a biogas system and achieve self-sufficiency in energy. The plant produces approx. 3-4 cubic meters of gas per day of the dung from 2-3 cattle. This is enough for a family of 8-10 members for cooking purposes and to run one gas lamp in the evening.
[http://www.supergas.dk/ Supergas] - In 1996-97 [http://www.superflex.net/ Superflex] collaborated with biogas engineer Jan Mallan to construct a simple, portable biogas unit that can produce sufficient gas for the cooking and lighting needs of an African family. The system has been adapted to meet the efficiency and style demands of a modern African consumer. It is intended to match the needs and economic resources that we believe exist in small-scale economies. The orange biogas plant produces biogas from organic materials, such as human and animal stools. For a modest sum, a family will be able to buy such a biogas system and achieve self-sufficiency in energy. The plant produces approx. 3-4 cubic meters of gas per day of the dung from 2-3 cattle. This is enough for a family of 8-10 members for cooking purposes and to run one gas lamp in the evening.


== Applications and Product Ecology ==
=Food Waste=
* biogas for cooking, heating
*UF thesis project - [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r8HDb1at6dI]
* [http://openfarmtech.org/wiki/CEB_Vaults Guastavino masonry] or plain CEBs to build biogas digester and holding tank for stored biogas. One holding tank could be used for the storage of biogas and [http://openfarmtech.org/wiki/Compressed_Fuel_Gas compressed fuel gas]  
 
* methane for the production of [http://openfarmtech.org/wiki/Direct_Reduced_Iron_(DRI) direct reduced iron] from rust or high-grade iron ore
=Critique=
* compressed biogas for transportation / internal combustion engine
*'Environmentalists' do not like CAFO-produced biogas [https://www.liebertpub.com/doi/10.1089/env.2021.0025]
* liquid slurry from biogas tank can be used to fertilize [[duckweed]] pond 
 
* solid contents coming out of digester can be composted (vermicompost, BSF compost, [[biochar]] compost)
=Numeracy=
* when biogas is burned inside a greenhouse, the CO2 enrichment can provide a boost to plant growth (CO2 concentrations up to 1500ppm are beneficial). This is effect widely used by commercial growers, but unfortunately they are using mostly fossil methane. 
*20-800 cubic meters of methane per ton of biomass [https://www.biogasworld.com/biogas-faq/#:~:text=The%20amount%20of%20biogas%20you,as%20800%20m3%20per%20tonne.]
* various uses in [http://openfarmtech.org/wiki/Category:Metalworks metallurgy]
*22 MJ/m3 [https://extension.psu.edu/biogas-from-manure] - half the energy of a liter of standard fuel. Thus, at best 1/2 the per mass energy of standard fuels. Not bad, considering we can use waste such as grass clippings.
* process bulky biomass before it can go into a digester, using [[hammer mill]]
 
=See Also=
*[[Open Source Biodigester]]
*[[Biogas Upgrader]]
*[[Biogas start up]]
*[[Silage]] - can be used as feedstock for anaerobic digestion
*[[Gas Holder]]
*[[Biofuel]]
*[[Gasifier]]


== External Links ==
= External Links =
* [[appropedia:Category:Biogas|Appropedia Category: Biogas]]
*[[Wikipedia:Biogas]]
* [[appropedia:Biogas_and_liquid_biofuels|Appropedia main biogas page]]
*[[appropedia:Category:Biogas|Appropedia Category: Biogas]]
* Wikipedia: [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biogas Biogas]
*[[appropedia:Biogas_and_liquid_biofuels|Appropedia main biogas page]]
* [http://p2pfoundation.net/Category:Biofuel p2pfoundation Category:Biofuel]
*[http://p2pfoundation.net/Category:Biofuel p2pfoundation Category:Biofuel]
* [http://diy-biogas.org/ DIY Biogas] - Germany
*[http://diy-biogas.org/ DIY Biogas] - Germany
*[http://www.ewb-usa.org/resource/4-in-1-household-biogas-system/ Engineers without Borders 4-in-1 household biogas system]


==See Also==
[[Category: Biofuel]] [[Category: Bio-Petrochemistry]] [[Category: Corrosion]]
* [[Biogas start up]]
* [[Biofuel]]
* [[Gasifier]]

Latest revision as of 22:27, 8 May 2023

Cooking with biogas

A gas produced by the breakdown of organic matter in the absence of oxygen.

Electric generator from biogas

About

  • Biogas is carbon neutral - [1]
  • Poop to biogas car, Fast Company - [2]
  • Industry growing at 12% per year. [3]

Applications

  • Used for cooking, heating, electrical generation
  • Compressed and cleaned biogas for transportation with internal combustion engines
  • Liquid slurry from digester tank can be used to fertilize duckweed pond
  • Solid contents from digester can be composted (vermicompost, BSF compost, biochar compost)
  • The CO2 contained in biogas can be piped into a greenhouse to give a boost to plant growth (CO2 concentrations up to 1500ppm may be beneficial). This is effect widely used by commercial growers, who are using mostly fossil fuel gases (heating/CO2 Enrichment).
  • Production of Direct reduced iron from rust or high-grade iron ore.
  • Various other uses in metallurgy and glassworks
  • Oxy-fuel torch cutting

To think about

  • Biogas production may need insulation or earth sheltering when used in cold climates witch could otherwise lead to breakdown of microbial populations. With CEB-blocks and insulation and option of heating, this is a design issue.
  • Biogas can contain some sulfur (that smells like rotting eggs) and it is then not recommended to be used in engines for a prolonged time. The sulfuric acid can accumulate in the engine oil and it will need replacing and or cleaning after a while. To avoid some of this do not feed the digester with objects that generate this gas like plasterwalls.. There exists some additive that can limit this but should not be needed in this case. When used for direct burning like with a gas-nozzle for cooking it can be used directly. But some don't like that smell when cooking.
  • Compressing into gas cylinders if needed for mobile transportation and more easy handling.
  • Create smaller pieces of bulky biomass before it go into the digester to make it more effective, Could be using the hammer mill

Biodigester

A sealed container that carries out the anaerobic digestion process. It needs to be able to separate and remove the liquid and gas phases and have an entrance/exit for the substrate. Sometimes heated and stir the content to produce even more. Some new digesters have a step before the liquid is exiting the digester there it is heated up to 70 degree Celsius to remove some more of possible pathogens that could have survived.

Cleaning or upgrading

Biogas needs cleaning or upgrading to remove as much as possible of the contained sulfur and or carbon dioxide and reach a higher energy value (see Appropedia: Biogas hydrogen sulfide scrubbing project and Biogas CO2 scrubbing project). The scrubbed carbon dioxide can be fed into a greenhouse for CO2 Enrichment. Upgrading is also necessary to be able to use biogas in engines for mobile gas-car transportation or electrical generation and limit corrosion and wear in motors.

See Biogas Upgrader

Construction of underground digester with bricks. This is common in rural India and China

Simple Open Source Biogas System

Supergas - In 1996-97 Superflex collaborated with biogas engineer Jan Mallan to construct a simple, portable biogas unit that can produce sufficient gas for the cooking and lighting needs of an African family. The system has been adapted to meet the efficiency and style demands of a modern African consumer. It is intended to match the needs and economic resources that we believe exist in small-scale economies. The orange biogas plant produces biogas from organic materials, such as human and animal stools. For a modest sum, a family will be able to buy such a biogas system and achieve self-sufficiency in energy. The plant produces approx. 3-4 cubic meters of gas per day of the dung from 2-3 cattle. This is enough for a family of 8-10 members for cooking purposes and to run one gas lamp in the evening.

Food Waste

  • UF thesis project - [4]

Critique

  • 'Environmentalists' do not like CAFO-produced biogas [5]

Numeracy

  • 20-800 cubic meters of methane per ton of biomass [6]
  • 22 MJ/m3 [7] - half the energy of a liter of standard fuel. Thus, at best 1/2 the per mass energy of standard fuels. Not bad, considering we can use waste such as grass clippings.

See Also

External Links