Rosalie Forest Eco Lodge

ECOFEST 2009
Introduction to Biogas, May 4
th
, 2009
Presented by

Vincent Martineau
Jessica Worley

Who We Are





Vincent Martineau, B.Eng Bioresource

Focused on sustainable technologies, water management and land
development.

Jessica Worley, B.Eng Civil and Applied Mechanics

Specialty in geoenvironmental engineering and water resource
management.
Obtained biogas experience in Barbados during the Fall of 2007


Design and Const ruct ion of a Bi odigest er


NativeSun NRG & Bellairs Research Institute







Overview
Goals & Objectives
Anaerobic Digestion
Biodigesters
Biogas
Design Specifications
Recommendations


Source: www.knowledgepublications.com
Source: www.knowledgepublications.com
Goal
Design and construction of a biodigester to produce
biogas
Objectives

Create a source of fuel for cooking;

Provide a fertilizer from the digested waste;
and

Improve health conditions by isolating wastes
in a sealed container to reduce airborne
pathogens from raw manure.


What is a Biodigester?
A device that mimics the natural decay process of organic matter
Biogas is produced from anaerobic decay (decay that occurs without
oxygen)

Anaerobic Digestion in a Biodigester

Digester is fed a mixture of water and waste
called a slurry

Daily, fresh slurry is added, displacing previous
days load that bacteria have started to digest

First, digestible organic matter is broken down
by acid-producing bacteria

By-products are then broken down by methane-
producing bacteria
(journeytoforever.org/biofuel_library/)
Biogas: Green Energy

50-70% methane;
30-40% carbon dioxide;
Insignificant amounts of oxygen and hydrogen
sulfide (H
2
S).
Biogas burns without soot or ash being produced
Methane is a combustible gas
Biogas will be used to generate energy for the
cooking needs here at Rosalie Forest Eco Lodge
(plascoenergygroup)
History of Biogas

One of the oldest forms of renewable energy

Marco Polo mentioned the use of the technology.
Probably goes back 2000-3000 years ago in ancient
Chinese literature

The earliest evidence of use in Assyria (10
th

century BC)


History of Biogas

Jan Baptita Van Helmont determined in
1630 that flammable gases could evolve
from decaying organic matter.
Anaerobic digestion first described by
Benjamin Franklin 1764.
Count Alessandro Volta in 1776 found a
correlation between amount of decaying
organic matter and amount of flammable
gas produced.
In 1808, Sir Humphrey Davy determined
that methane was present in the decay
process.



History of Biogas Contd

First digestion plant was built in 1859 in Bombay, India for a leper
colony

Exeter, England, in 1895: biogas used to power street lamps

1920s and 30s interest in anaerobic digestion increased

Interest in Biogas has been cyclical



Examples of Digesters Around the World

Costa Rica
Digesters Around the World (contd)

India (ARTI)
Digesters Around the World (contd)

United States
Princeton, Minnesota Princeton, Minnesota
Digesters Around the World (contd)

KVIC Digester (used in India and China)
Prototype
Work log of what we did

Design Advantages

Reduction in scum accumulation
Temperature Control
Ease of operation
Durable
Small footprint
Low cost


What Type of Waste Produces Biogas?

Any organic waste can produce biogas
Human, manure, fruit and vegetable waste

What Type of Waste Does NOT Produces Biogas?
Fiber rich waste such as wood, leaves, etc. are difficult to digest
Heavy metals
Inorganic materials in high concentration (Nitrate, Sodium, Sulphate,
Sodium, Potassium, Calcium, Magnesium, etc)
How Much Biogas Can I Get From My Waste?

Amount of biogas depends on the waste itself and design of the
digester.

Some digesters can yield 20 liters of biogas per kilogram of waste up to
800 liters per kilogram.

Factors: waste quality, digester design, temperature, system operation,
presence of oxygen.
How Much Energy is in Biogas?

Average fuel value of methane = 1000 BTU/ft3

Average fuel value of propane = 2500 BTU/ft3

1 BTU/ft3 = 37.2589 KJ/m3
How Much Energy is in Biogas?

Therefore, using the SI system, Fuel Value units:

FV methane = 1000 * 37.2589 KJ/m3 = 37258.9 KJ/m3
FV propane = 2500 * 37.2589 KJ/m3 = 93147.3 KJ/m3
FV propane / FV methane = 2.5

When both fuels are burned completely, propane produces 2.5 times
more energy per unit of volume.
How Much Biogas Do I Need?

For Example: We want 40 lbs of propane-equivalent per week.

Biogas is 50-70% methane, 30-50% CO2 and 5-15% N2, H2, etc.

40 lbs propane * 2.5 = 100 lbs of methane

100 lbs of methane / 60% = 166.67 lbs of biogas


Specifications

Input: 1 kg of donkey manure, 1 kg of food waste and 15 liters of water

Volume of tank: 55 US gal (~208.2 litres, ~0.208 cubic meter)

Assuming:
Total Solids (TS) ~15%
Volatile Solids (VS) ~70%

Hydraulic Retention Time: 10 days
How to calculate Organic Loading Rate (OLR)


OLR = kg VS added / day / m3 reactor

OLR = Manure * TS% * VS% / Volume

Organic Loading Rate: 2.02 kg VS added / day / m
3
reactor


How much money did we just save?

Methane production estimated at XXX m
3
/day (equivalent to XXX kg of
propane/day)

Economic gain of about XXX $/year if fully used

Low Cost of construction: ~250 $EC
Obstacles

Economic: Keeping it
inexpensive

Time

Equipment: Limited

Weather: When it rains, it
pours!

Problem Solving

Recycled materials

Have friends around

Borrow and buy

Work in-between the
showers!

Implementation Plan

Research of existing technology and systems
Inventory of resources
Budget
Design
Construction
Testing
Cook!

www.journeytoforever.org
www.anaerobic-digestion.com/index.php
www.biogas.psu.edu
www.arti-india.org/content/view/12/28
www.ruralcostarica.com/biogas.html
http://www.fao.org/docrep/t0541e/T0541E00.htm#Contents




Resources
Thank You!
Questions?