Anaerobic digestion foaming in full-scale biogas plants: a survey on causes and solutions

2013 ◽  
Vol 69 (4) ◽  
pp. 889-895 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. G. Kougias ◽  
K. Boe ◽  
S. O-Thong ◽  
L. A. Kristensen ◽  
I. Angelidaki
Keyword(s):  
Anaerobic Digestion ◽  
Bacterial Communities ◽  
Biogas Production ◽  
Full Scale ◽  
Biogas Plant ◽  
Production Loss ◽  
Filamentous Bacteria ◽  
Biogas Plants ◽  
Common Operation ◽  
Negative Impacts

Anaerobic digestion foaming is a common operation problem in biogas plants with negative impacts on the biogas plants economy and environment. A survey of 16 Danish full-scale biogas plants on foaming problems revealed that most of them had experienced foaming in their processes up to three times per year. Foaming incidents often lasted from one day to three weeks, causing 20–50% biogas production loss. One foaming case at Lemvig biogas plant has been investigated and the results indicated that the combination of feedstock composition and mixing pattern of the reactor was the main cause of foaming in this case. Moreover, no difference in bacterial communities between the foaming and non-foaming reactors was observed, showing that filamentous bacteria were not the main reason for foaming in this case.

scholarly journals State estimation for anaerobic digesters using the ADM1

2012 ◽  
Vol 66 (5) ◽  
pp. 1088-1095 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. Gaida ◽  
C. Wolf ◽  
C. Meyer ◽  
A. Stuhlsatz ◽  
J. Lippel ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Anaerobic Digestion ◽  
State Estimation ◽  
Ph Value ◽  
Biogas Production ◽  
Synthetic Data ◽  
Full Scale ◽  
Biogas Plant ◽  
Actual State ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Biogas Plants

The optimization of full-scale biogas plant operation is of great importance to make biomass a competitive source of renewable energy. The implementation of innovative control and optimization algorithms, such as Nonlinear Model Predictive Control, requires an online estimation of operating states of biogas plants. This state estimation allows for optimal control and operating decisions according to the actual state of a plant. In this paper such a state estimator is developed using a calibrated simulation model of a full-scale biogas plant, which is based on the Anaerobic Digestion Model No.1. The use of advanced pattern recognition methods shows that model states can be predicted from basic online measurements such as biogas production, CH4 and CO2 content in the biogas, pH value and substrate feed volume of known substrates. The machine learning methods used are trained and evaluated using synthetic data created with the biogas plant model simulating over a wide range of possible plant operating regions. Results show that the operating state vector of the modelled anaerobic digestion process can be predicted with an overall accuracy of about 90%. This facilitates the application of state-based optimization and control algorithms on full-scale biogas plants and therefore fosters the production of eco-friendly energy from biomass.

scholarly journals Operational Parameters of Biogas Plants: A Review and Evaluation Study

Energies ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (15) ◽  
pp. 3761 ◽  
Author(s):  
Abdullah Nsair ◽  
Senem Onen Cinar ◽  
Ayah Alassali ◽  
Hani Abu Qdais ◽  
Kerstin Kuchta
Keyword(s):  
Anaerobic Digestion ◽  
Review Paper ◽  
Biogas Production ◽  
Evaluation Study ◽  
Biogas Plant ◽  
Operational Parameters ◽  
Digestion Process ◽  
Design Considerations ◽  
Biogas Plants ◽  
Main Factors

The biogas production technology has improved over the last years for the aim of reducing the costs of the process, increasing the biogas yields, and minimizing the greenhouse gas emissions. To obtain a stable and efficient biogas production, there are several design considerations and operational parameters to be taken into account. Besides, adapting the process to unanticipated conditions can be achieved by adequate monitoring of various operational parameters. This paper reviews the research that has been conducted over the last years. This review paper summarizes the developments in biogas design and operation, while highlighting the main factors that affect the efficiency of the anaerobic digestion process. The study’s outcomes revealed that the optimum operational values of the main parameters may vary from one biogas plant to another. Additionally, the negative conditions that should be avoided while operating a biogas plant were identified.

scholarly journals Determination of mixing quality in biogas plant digesters using tracer tests and computational fluid dynamics

2013 ◽  
Vol 61 (5) ◽  
pp. 1269-1278 ◽  
Author(s):  
Luděk Kamarád ◽  
Stefan Pohn ◽  
Günther Bochmann ◽  
Michael Harasek
Keyword(s):  
Fluid Dynamics ◽  
Computational Fluid Dynamics ◽  
Energy Demand ◽  
Biogas Production ◽  
Tracer Tests ◽  
Full Scale ◽  
Biogas Plant ◽  
Tracer Concentration ◽  
Anaerobic Digesters ◽  
Biogas Plants

The total electricity demand of investigated biogas plants (BGP) makes up 7–8 % of the total electricity produced. Nearly 40 % of this energy is consumed just for mixing in digesters and the energy demand for mixing in some biogas plants can be even higher. Therefore, optimal mixing in anaerobic digesters is a basic condition for efficient plant operation and biogas production. The use of problematic substrates (e.g. grass silage or other fibrous substrates), installation of unsuitable mixing systems or inconvenient mixing intervals may lead to mixing problems. Knowledge about mixing in biogas digesters is still insufficient, so the objective of this study was to fill the information gaps in the literature by determining the minimal retention time of substrates fed into anaerobic digesters and to describe substrate distribution and washing out rates from investigated digesters. Two full-scale biogas plant digesters (2000 m3 and 1500 m3) using different mixing systems and substrates were investigated. To characterize the substrate distribution, lithium hydroxide monohydrate solutions were used for tracer tests at concentrations of 47.1 mg Li+ / kg TS and 46.6 mg Li+ / kg TS in digester. The tracer concentration in the digester effluents was measured during two hydraulic retention times and compared. Although the tracer was detected in the digester effluent at nearly the same time in both cases, the tracer tests showed very different distribution curves. The tracer concentration in effluent B grew much slower than in effluent A and no significant short circuiting streams were detected. Although the data calculated by computational fluid dynamics methods (CFD) showed a very good agreement with the full scale results, full comparison was not possible.

Biogas Production Using Anaerobic Digestion of Industrial Waste

2016 ◽  
Vol 832 ◽  
pp. 55-62
Author(s):  
Ján Gaduš ◽  
Tomáš Giertl ◽  
Viera Kažimírová
Keyword(s):  
Anaerobic Digestion ◽  
Industrial Waste ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Biogas Production ◽  
Biogas Plant ◽  
Parallel Operation ◽  
Paper Production ◽  
Biochemical Conversion ◽  
Mixed Biomass ◽  
Economic Balance

In the paper experiments and theory of biogas production using industrial waste from paper production as a co-substrate are described. The main aim of the experiments was to evaluate the sensitivity and applicability of the biochemical conversion using the anaerobic digestion of the mixed biomass in the pilot fermentor (5 m3), where the mesophillic temperature was maintained. It was in parallel operation with a large scale fermentor (100 m3). The research was carried out at the biogas plant in Kolíňany, which is a demonstration facility of the Slovak University of Agriculture in Nitra. The experiments proved that the waste arising from the paper production can be used in case of its appropriate dosing as an input substrate for biogas production, and thus it can improve the economic balance of the biogas plant.

scholarly journals Innovations in anaerobic digestion: a model-based study

2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Karol Postawa ◽  
Jerzy Szczygieł ◽  
Marek Kułażyński
Keyword(s):  
Mathematical Model ◽  
Anaerobic Digestion ◽  
Production Efficiency ◽  
Biogas Production ◽  
Biogas Plant ◽  
Methane Content ◽  
Pig Manure ◽  
Pig Slurry ◽  
Production Chain ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Background Increasing the efficiency of the biogas production process is possible by modifying the technological installations of the biogas plant. In this study, specific solutions based on a mathematical model that lead to favorable results were proposed. Three configurations were considered: classical anaerobic digestion (AD) and its two modifications, two-phase AD (TPAD) and autogenerative high-pressure digestion (AHPD). The model has been validated based on measurements from a biogas plant located in Poland. Afterward, the TPAD and AHPD concepts were numerically tested for the same volume and feeding conditions. Results The TPAD system increased the overall biogas production from 9.06 to 9.59%, depending on the feedstock composition, while the content of methane was slightly lower in the whole production chain. On the other hand, the AHPD provided the best purity of the produced fuel, in which a methane content value of 82.13% was reached. At the same time, the overpressure leads to a decrease of around 7.5% in the volumetric production efficiency. The study indicated that the dilution of maize silage with pig manure, instead of water, can have significant benefits in the selected configurations. The content of pig slurry strengthens the impact of the selected process modifications—in the first case, by increasing the production efficiency, and in the second, by improving the methane content in the biogas. Conclusions The proposed mathematical model of the AD process proved to be a valuable tool for the description and design of biogas plant. The analysis shows that the overall impact of the presented process modifications is mutually opposite. The feedstock composition has a moderate and unsteady impact on the production profile, in the tested modifications. The dilution with pig manure, instead of water, leads to a slightly better efficiency in the classical configuration. For the TPAD process, the trend is very similar, but the AHPD biogas plant indicates a reverse tendency. Overall, the recommendation from this article is to use the AHPD concept if the composition of the biogas is the most important. In the case in which the performance is the most important factor, it is favorable to use the TPAD configuration.

scholarly journals Empirical Validation of a Biogas Plant Simulation Model and Analysis of Biogas Upgrading Potentials

Energies ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (9) ◽  
pp. 2424
Author(s):  
Jan Martin Zepter ◽  
Jan Engelhardt ◽  
Tatiana Gabderakhmanova ◽  
Mattia Marinelli
Keyword(s):  
Simulation Model ◽  
Biogas Production ◽  
Biogas Plant ◽  
Raw Material ◽  
Biogas Upgrading ◽  
Integrated Energy Systems ◽  
First Order Kinetics ◽  
Biogas Plants ◽  
Plant Simulation ◽  
Kinetics Of

Biogas plants may support the transformation towards renewable-based and integrated energy systems by providing dispatchable co-generation as well as opportunities for biogas upgrading or power-to-X conversion. In this paper, a simulation model that comprises the main dynamics of the internal processes of a biogas plant is developed. Based on first-order kinetics of the anaerobic digestion process, the biogas production of an input feeding schedule of raw material can be estimated. The output of the plant in terms of electrical and thermal energy is validated against empirical data from a 3-MW biogas plant on the Danish island of Bornholm. The results show that the model provides an accurate representation of the processes within a biogas plant. The paper further provides insights on the functioning of the biogas plant on Bornholm as well as discusses upgrading potentials of biogas to biomethane at the plant from an energy perspective.

Operational results of an agricultural biogas plant equipped with modern instrumentation and automation

2008 ◽  
Vol 57 (6) ◽  
pp. 803-808 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Wiese ◽  
O. Kujawski
Keyword(s):  
Energy Crops ◽  
Full Scale ◽  
Biogas Plant ◽  
Biogas Plants ◽  
Technical Details ◽  
Modern Instrumentation

Agricultural biogas plants based on energy crops gain more and more importance because of numerous energetic, environmental and agricultural benefits. In contrast to older biogas plants, the newest generation of biogas plants is equipped with modern ICA equipment and reliable machines/engines. In this paper, the authors present technical details and operational results of a modern full-scale agricultural biogas plant using energy crops.

scholarly journals Evaluation of Eco-Efficiency of Two Alternative Agricultural Biogas Plants

2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (11) ◽  
pp. 2083 ◽  
Author(s):  
Magdalena Muradin ◽  
Katarzyna Joachimiak-Lechman ◽  
Zenon Foltynowicz
Keyword(s):  
Waste Heat ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Biogas Production ◽  
Biogas Plant ◽  
Waste To Energy ◽  
Cost Calculation ◽  
Processing Plant ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Levelized Cost Of Electricity ◽  
Biogas Plants

Implementation of the circular economy is one of the priorities of the European Union, and energy efficiency is one of its pillars. This article discusses an effective use of agri-food industry waste for the purposes of waste-to-energy in biogas plants. Its basic objective is the comparative assessment of the eco-efficiency of biogas production depending on the type of feedstock used, its transport and possibility to use generated heat. The environmental impact of the analysed installations was assessed with the application of the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) methodology. Cost calculation was performed using the Levelized Cost of Electricity (LCOE) method. The LCA analysis indicated that a biogas plant with a lower level of waste heat use where substrates were delivered by wheeled transport has a negative impact on the environment. The structure of distributed energy production cost indicates a substantial share of feedstock supply costs in the total value of the LCOE ratio. Thus, the factor affecting the achievement of high eco-efficiency is the location of a biogas plant in the vicinity of an agri-food processing plant, from which the basic feedstock for biogas production is supplied with the transmission pipeline, whereas heat is transferred for the needs of production processes in a processing plant or farm.

scholarly journals The generation of a mathematical model of the biogas production process from organic municipal solid waste

2020 ◽  
Vol 180 ◽  
pp. 02019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marzhan Temirbekova ◽  
Madina Aliyarova ◽  
Iliya Iliev ◽  
Aliya Yelemanova ◽  
Saule Sagintayeva
Keyword(s):  
Mathematical Model ◽  
Municipal Solid Waste ◽  
Solid Waste ◽  
Anaerobic Fermentation ◽  
Biogas Production ◽  
Biogas Plant ◽  
Model Parameters ◽  
Biochemical Processes ◽  
Biogas Plants ◽  
The Mathematical Model

This paper justifies the efficiency of the biogas collection and utilization at the MSW (municipal solid waste) landfill in Almaty with the installation of several modern biogas plants. The optimal mode of processes occurring in a biogas plant is determined by computer generated simulations. Mathematical model parameters were identified to describe biochemical processes occurring in a biogas plant. Two approaches are used to resolve the mathematical model: the finite-difference method for solving the system of differential equations and simulation modeling by using the Any Logic package. A program is written in the algorithmic language C ++. Numerous calculations were carried out, the results of which are presented in curves and their qualitative picture is consistent with the ongoing processes. The created computer program allows to make a preliminary forecast of anaerobic fermentation occurring in the bioreactor depending on volume of the substrate, methane microorganisms and temperature conditions.

Application of the IWA Anaerobic Digestion Model (ADM1) for simulating full-scale anaerobic sewage sludge digestion

2005 ◽  
Vol 52 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 487-492 ◽  
Author(s):  
Y. Shang ◽  
B.R. Johnson ◽  
R. Sieger
Keyword(s):  
Wastewater Treatment ◽  
Steady State ◽  
Anaerobic Digestion ◽  
Biogas Production ◽  
Treatment Plant ◽  
Biochemical Parameter ◽  
Full Scale ◽  
Anaerobic Digesters ◽  
Biogas Yield ◽  
Volatile Solids

A steady-state implementation of the IWA Anaerobic Digestion Model No. 1 (ADM1) has been applied to the anaerobic digesters in two wastewater treatment plants. The two plants have a wastewater treatment capacity of 76,000 and 820,000 m3/day, respectively, with approximately 12 and 205 dry metric tons sludge fed to digesters per day. The main purpose of this study is to compare the ADM1 model results with full-scale anaerobic digestion performance. For both plants, the prediction of the steady-state ADM1 implementation using the suggested physico-chemical and biochemical parameter values was able to reflect the results from the actual digester operations to a reasonable degree of accuracy on all parameters. The predicted total solids (TS) and volatile solids (VS) concentration in the digested biosolids, as well as the digester volatile solids destruction (VSD), biogas production and biogas yield are within 10% of the actual digester data. This study demonstrated that the ADM1 is a powerful tool for predicting the steady-state behaviour of anaerobic digesters treating sewage sludges. In addition, it showed that the use of a whole wastewater treatment plant simulator for fractionating the digester influent into the ADM1 input parameters was successful.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document