Rosalie Forest Eco Lodge

ECOFEST 2009
Introduction to Biogas, May 4th,
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.
Design and Construction of a Biodigester
NativeSun NRG & Bellairs Research Institute

Obtained biogas experience in Barbados during the Fall of 2007

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
(journeytoforever.org/biofuel_library/)

By-products are then broken down by

methane-producing bacteria

Biogas: Green Energy

50-70% methane;
30-40% carbon dioxide;
Insignificant amounts of oxygen and hydrogen
sulfide (H2S).
Biogas burns without soot or ash being
produced
Methane is a combustible gas
(plascoenergygroup)

Biogas will be used to generate energy for the

cooking needs here at Rosalie Forest Eco Lodge

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 (10th
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

Digesters Around the World (contd)

KVIC Digester (used in India and China)

Work log of what we did

Prototype

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 / m3 reactor

How much money did we just save?

Methane production estimated at XXX m3/day (equivalent to XXX kg
of propane/day)
Economic gain of about XXX $/year if fully used
Low Cost of construction: ~250 $EC

Obstacles

Problem Solving

Economic: Keeping it
inexpensive

Recycled materials

Time
Equipment: Limited
Weather: When it rains, it
pours!

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!

Resources

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

Thank You!
Questions?