BIODIGESTER

Conceptual Design ReviewDecember 7th, 2009

EGGN 491

Team MembersKeano Dashkowitz Faculty Advisor:Lynlee Gerk Dr. David MunozAlima KopbayevaElliot MakuhJennifer StevensDaniel Stewart

Clients

Contact: Maria CampMission:“Into Your Hands improves

rural communities of Uganda by developing financially sustainable solutions for affordable education.”

Contact: Bob MillerMission:“To improve the life and

environment of orphans of any race, religion or gender throughout the world.”

Design biodigester system to provide Gas for cooking fuel Fertilizer for crops Look at community and residential size

units Increase sustainability and use of green

energy

Project Objectives

Design Considerations

Solid Retention Time Temperature pH Dilution

– Reduce Ammonia toxicity Maintaining anaerobic state Production of Toxins

Anaerobic Digestion

Schematic

Ground Level

Gas Pipe

Concept Variants

Design Variables – Tank dimensioning and geometry

Hydraulic residence time is needed to be long enough for methane formers to grow

– Cover material and type Anaerobic is necessary

– Mixer use and type 10%-15% increase of gas

– Grinder use and placement– Storage unit possibilities

Effluent of gas and fertilizer – Gas burn-off mechanism

Safety reasons

Design Criteria

Amount of biogas produced Cost Safety Sustainability Cultural Acceptance

Storage

Mixers

Paddle Mixer

Mixers

Spiral Mixer

Top

Grinders

Placement

•Before influent pipe

•Inside influent pipe

Shape

Patent Research

• Earliest Related US Patent: 1920• Interesting Patents

– US Patent #3,981,803 (September 21, 1976)• Basic Bio-digester

– US Patent #4,100,023 (July 11, 1978)• Four-chambered Bio-digester

– US Patent #4,374,199 (February 15, 1983)• Bio-digester with Magnetic Field

– US Patent #6,361,694 (March 26, 2002)• Improved Efficiency with Propane Injections

Decision mechanisms

Pugh Chart Decision Matrix Brain Ball 6-3-5

Questions & Comments