BIOGAS

BIOGASPresented by: Daniella JacquesPresented to: Mme Neena and classmatesDate: 2014-01-29

What is Biogas?A gaseous fuel (60% Methane, and 40 % CO2 and other), produced by anaerobic digestion process of organic waste.

Project:Home Biogas Generator:Discussed orally with the help of live model: Process (steps taken demonstrate using model)Encountered problems & solutionsWhat would I do differently?

How a Biogas Plant works:

What is occurring:A biochemical process of 4 stages:HydrolysisAcidogenesisAcetogenesisMethanogenesis(Stage 2 & 3 are, by someviewed as one stage)

1. HydrolysisBegins when the water is mixed, and almost all oxygen has left the feedstockIs the enzymatic breakdown of fats, proteins, carbohydrates, and oils, into amino acids, simple sugars, and fatty acidsFeedstock is now in a chemically accessible state

2. AcidogenesisIt is the Fermentation stateAcid-forming bacteria oxidize the compounds produced during the Hydrolysis stageThis oxidization produces: carbon dioxide, hydrogen, ammonia, and organic acids

3. AcetogenesisConversion of organic acids into acetic acidsAcetic acids are the food source for the final stage of decomposition

4. MethanogenesisCreation of methane-producing microbes (methanogens)Methanogens combine hydrogen & carbon dioxide to create methaneSlow process & extremely sensitive to temperature, pH levels, and presence of oxygen

How much can be produced?Impossible to determine an exact amount Depends on numerous variables such as temperature, quantity and quality, errors, etcRule of thumb: A well managed generator may produce approximately its own volume of biogas each day. - 1 cubic foot of methane = 1055000 J - Biogas(60% of CH4)=633000 J cubic foot

DisadvantagesIf released in a non-combusted form, its a potent greenhouse gas and could potentially carry diseases (transferred from the manure etc)Explosive; if in large quantitiesInitially : a large facility is costly due to the hardware changes but is cost efficient in the end

AdvantagesReduces 2 of the largest sources of manmade methane: live stock manure (key ingredient of Biogas) & landfills (contains organic waste)Can be produced during anaerobic digestion sewage treatment Can connect directly to a grid or CHP station, travels through pipelinesNatural gas substituteResulting products: renewable energy & fertilizerSmall Biogas facilities are cost efficient and are used in third world countries to eliminate pollution and produce energyExamples:

Projects/Companies:Synenergy: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SrDaFEgNGm4Biogas Energy Inc.Biogas Energy Solutions - KenyaJohnson Controls (US)Biogas EuropeGE Power and Water Distributed PowerAMERSCO And many more

A little taste:In 2011 there were approximately 180 operational biogas systems on American livestock farms which were able to produce enough electricity for 47 000 homes.