Biogas: Difference between revisions

From Open Source Ecology
Jump to navigation Jump to search
(dup and spell)
No edit summary
Line 17: Line 17:


== To think about ==
== To think about ==
* Biogas production may need insulation or earth sheltering when used in cold climates witch could oterwise lead to breakdown of microbial populations.  With CEB-blocks and insulation and option of heating, this is a design issue.
* 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.  
* 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.  
* Biogas need cleaning (upgrading) to remove as much as possible of the contained sulfur and carbon dioxide for use in engines for gas-car transportation or electrical generation. It is preferable need to be upgraded first to limit corrosion and wear of motors. It is also possible to recover some heat from the motor and feed the carbon dioxide to the green house. Howto, more to come....


* Compressing into gas cylinders if needed for mobile transportation and more easy handling.
* Compressing into gas cylinders if needed for mobile transportation and more easy handling.
Line 29: Line 27:


== Biodigester ==
== 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 stire the content to produce even more.
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.
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]].
* [[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]].
Line 35: Line 33:


== Cleaning or upgrading ==
== Cleaning or upgrading ==
This refers to remove sulfur and carbon dioxide to make it higher energy value and make it usable in engines.
Biogas need cleaning or upgrading to remove as much as possible of the contained sulfur and or carbon dioxide and make a higher energy value. To be able to use it in engines for mobile gas-car transportation or electrical generation and limit corrosion and wear in motors. It is also possible to feed the cleaned carbon dioxide to the green house.
...




Revision as of 20:36, 30 January 2013

Main > Energy > Biofuel

Cooking with biogas

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

Electric generator from biogas

Applications

  • Used for cooking, heating, electrical generation
  • Production of Direct reduced iron from rust or high-grade iron ore.
  • Compressed and cleaned biogas for transportation with internal combustion engines
  • Liquid slurry from digester tank can be used to fertilize duckweed pond
  • Solid contents coming out of digester can be composted (vermicompost, BSF compost, biochar compost)
  • The CO2 contained in biogas can be used in inside a greenhouse and 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.
  • Various uses in metallurgy


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 need cleaning or upgrading to remove as much as possible of the contained sulfur and or carbon dioxide and make a higher energy value. To be able to use it in engines for mobile gas-car transportation or electrical generation and limit corrosion and wear in motors. It is also possible to feed the cleaned carbon dioxide to the green house.


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.


External Links


See Also

Retrieved from "https://wiki.opensourceecology.org/index.php?title=Biogas&oldid=87756"