scholarly journals Efficiency of digestat of biogas plants

2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 107-115
Author(s):  
V. M. Polishchuk ◽  
◽  
D. A. Derevianko ◽  
S. A. Shvorov ◽  
Ye. O. Dvornik ◽  
...  

It has been established that the digestate of biogas plants is a valuable organic fertilizer that is quickly absorbed by plants, contains a complex of macro- and microelements necessary for plant growth, has a high content of readily available nitrogen for plants, has a pH level close to neutral and does not contain viable weed seeds and pathogens. microflora. It is technically difficult to make untreated digestate into the soil, so it is predivided into solid and liquid fractions on separators. A major problem with the commercial use of digestate in Ukraine is the lack of its standardization. When applying digestate to the company's own fields, which owns the biogas plant, the standardization of its quality is not critical. However, the lack of a standard for digestate as a high-quality organic fertilizer significantly limits its use. The needs for digestate were determined to restore soil fertility and fertilize crops in and with a herd of 1,000 cattle (500 heads of dairy cows and 500 heads of young cattle and heifers) and with an arable land area of 1,800 hectares. It is established that only one ton of digestate remains for commercial use after application to the fields, the profit from the sale of which does not significantly affect the profitability of biogas production. The payback period of the biogas plant is 6.4 years and depends on the cost of biogas production. With the commercial use of all digestate produced during the year, the payback period of the biogas plant is reduced to one year and below and does not depend on the cost of biogas production, and the impact of the "green" tariff on the payback period of the biogas plant is leveled.

2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Karol Postawa ◽  
Jerzy Szczygieł ◽  
Marek Kułażyński

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.


Energies ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (9) ◽  
pp. 2424
Author(s):  
Jan Martin Zepter ◽  
Jan Engelhardt ◽  
Tatiana Gabderakhmanova ◽  
Mattia Marinelli

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.


2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (11) ◽  
pp. 2083 ◽  
Author(s):  
Magdalena Muradin ◽  
Katarzyna Joachimiak-Lechman ◽  
Zenon Foltynowicz

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.


Energies ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (17) ◽  
pp. 5374
Author(s):  
Robert Bedoić ◽  
Goran Smoljanić ◽  
Tomislav Pukšec ◽  
Lidija Čuček ◽  
Davor Ljubas ◽  
...  

Crop-based biogas energy production, in combination with electricity generation under subsidy schemes, is no longer considered a favourable business model for biogas plants. Switching to low-cost or gate fee feedstocks and utilising biogas via alternative pathways could contribute to making existing plants fit for future operations and could open up new space for further expansion of the biogas sector. The aim of this study was to combine a holistic and interdisciplinary approach for both the biogas production side and the utilisation side to evaluate the impact of integrating the biogas sector with waste management systems and energy systems operating with a high share of renewable energy sources. The geospatial availability of residue materials from agriculture, industry and municipalities was assessed using QGIS software for the case of Northern Croatia with the goal of replacing maize silage in the operation of existing biogas plants. Furthermore, the analysis included positioning new biogas plants, which would produce renewable gas. The overall approach was evaluated through life cycle assessment using SimaPro software to quantify the environmental benefits and identify the bottlenecks of the implemented actions. The results showed that the given feedstocks could replace 212 GWh of biogas from maize silage in the relevant region and create an additional 191 GWh of biomethane in new plants. The LCA revealed that the proposed measures would contribute to the decarbonisation of natural gas by creating environmental benefits that are 36 times greater compared to a business-as-usual concept. The presented approach could be of interest to stakeholders in the biogas sector anywhere in the world to encourage further integration of biogas technologies into energy and environmental transitions.


Energies ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (15) ◽  
pp. 3761 ◽  
Author(s):  
Abdullah Nsair ◽  
Senem Onen Cinar ◽  
Ayah Alassali ◽  
Hani Abu Qdais ◽  
Kerstin Kuchta

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.


2020 ◽  
Vol 180 ◽  
pp. 02019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marzhan Temirbekova ◽  
Madina Aliyarova ◽  
Iliya Iliev ◽  
Aliya Yelemanova ◽  
Saule Sagintayeva

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.


Land ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 19 ◽  
Author(s):  
Olena Myrna ◽  
Martin Odening ◽  
Matthias Ritter

In the context of the rapid development of renewable energy in Germany in the last decade, and increased concerns regarding its potential impacts on farmland prices, this paper investigates the impact of wind energy and biogas production on agricultural land purchasing prices. To quantify the possible impact of the cumulative capacity of wind turbines and biogas plants on arable land prices in Saxony-Anhalt, we estimate a community-based and a transaction-based model using spatial econometrics and ordinary least squares. Based on data from 2007 to 2016, our analysis shows that a higher cumulative capacity of wind turbines in communities leads to higher farmland transaction prices, though the effect is very small: if the average cumulative capacity of wind turbines per community doubles, we expect that farmland prices per hectare increase by 0.4%. Plots that are directly affected by a wind turbine or part of a regional development plan, however, experience strong price increases.


2019 ◽  
Vol 37 (12) ◽  
pp. 1240-1249 ◽  
Author(s):  
Spyridon Achinas ◽  
Gerrit Jan Willem Euverink

The biodegradable portion of solid waste generated in farmhouses can be treated for energy recovery with small portable biogas plants. This action can be done across the Netherlands and all around the planet. This study aims to appraise the performance of anaerobic digestion of different wastes (cow manure, food waste and garden waste) obtained from a regional farmhouse. Batch reactors were established under mesophilic conditions in order to investigate the impact of ternary mixtures on the anaerobic digestion process performance. Different mixing ratios were set in the batch tests. The upshots from the experiments connoted that ternary digestion with cow manure:food waste:garden waste mixing ratio of 40:50:10 yielded higher biogas amount. The kinetics’ results showed quite good congruence with the experimental study. The results from the kinetic analysis appeared to be in line with the experimental one.


2021 ◽  
Vol 286 ◽  
pp. 02010
Author(s):  
Penka Zlateva ◽  
Angel Terziev ◽  
Krastin Yordanov

The focus of the present study is a small biogas power plant for anaerobic fermentation of several types of animal waste raw materials used for biogas production. The impact of some of the characteristics of substances such as composition, temperature, humidity, and pH of the mixture in the bioreactor has been considered. The above is vital for optimizing the fermentation process, and also to improve the biogas production process. The plant is located in Northeastern Bulgaria and the raw liquid manure is supplied by several neighboring small farms. The annual quantities of raw waste are as follows: cow manure - 1252 t / a; chicken manure - 427 t / a and pig manure - 639 t / a. The manure is collected in a preliminary tank and then pumped to the bioreactor. The fermenter itself is a hermetically sealed and thermally insulated tank where constant temperature is maintained. It is equipped with a stirring system, which helps the mixing and homogenization of the substrate. The tests were performed during three charges of the installation. The fermentation takes approximately 23 up to 25 days. The experiments were performed during the summer and autumn seasons when the ambient air temperature varies from 28 to 45 °C. The biogas can be used as an energy carried as the obtained organic fertilizer is suitable for agriculture purposes.


2019 ◽  
Vol 131 ◽  
pp. 01026
Author(s):  
Yu Xie

With the impact of decreasing arable land and the rapid growth of global population, more people are beginning to attach importance to hydroponic systems, which is an innovative solution that may efficiently solve this problem. The incredible growth of the global hydroponic market has already raised many entrepreneurs’ or even countries’ attentions. There is a multitude of research, which has already proven that plants grow much faster in hydroponic systems, and have more nutrients than plants grown from soil. However, many scientists also found out that having a totally closed system may also promote the spread of pathogens and pests, which can cause a great amount of economic loss to hydroponic operators. Therefore, reliable and efficient methods of preventing harmful organisms to enter the system are imperative and crucial for ensuring successful hydroponics management. This research was done in order to discover if there is a semipermeable membrane which can block the algae or fungus outside, but allow the dissolved nutrients to enter the hydroponic system. In addition, this would reduce the cost of cleaning hydroponic systems and utilize a material that is friendly to the environment. It was hypothesized that by combining several coffee filters, which are biodegradable, this goal may be accomplished. In the first experiment, a cup with coffee filters was placed in algae water to observe if coffee filters can work efficiently for at least 3 days. In the second experiment, a “jar test” was performed for different types of filters, and it was indicated that essential coffee filters can block out algae by 100%. Finally, the last experiment involved implementing the filters in a hydroponic system. The results show that coffee filters in the hydroponic system are capable of blocking out most of algae.


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