BIOGAS PRODUCTION BY
FERMENTATION OF ORGANIC MATTERS

 

 

Definitions:

BIOGAS:

Mixture of methane (CH4) and carbon dioxide (CO2) produced by micro-organisms (methanogenic archea) in absence of air.
MCV (Minimum Calorific Value) 21 500 kJ/m3 flame velocity 25,4 cm/sec, autoignites around 600 C 1m3 containing 70% methane CH4 = 0,75 l fuel, 0,25 m3 propane; 0,2 m3 butane; 0,85 kg coal.

FERMENTATION:

Process by which organic matter is transformed by micro-organisms into endproducts.

 

ORGANIC MATTER
waste, manure, substrate
-->

joint activities of several microorganism
= METHANOGENESIS -->

BIOGAS =
CH4 + CO2
+ water + compost

 

ORGANIC MATTER:

Consisting of compounds, always containing Carbon atoms usually in chain.

 

PRODUCTION of
BIOGAS:

Through a (technological) processing from organic matter (100%) a non toxic energy potential BIOGAS (Methane CH4 (50%-80%), Carbondioxid CO2 (15%-45%) and treated water and compost (5%) and minor constituents are produced.

 

COMPOST:

Organic matter after microbial decomposition, composed of slow degradable matter (fibres) and mineral fertilizing matter.



REQUIRED TECHNICAL CONDITIONS:

 

Temperature:                      mesophilic zone (30-35 Celsius) or thermophilic zone (50-60 Celsius)

                                           

physical:                             anaerobic condition; Redox potential below 250mV; pH: 6,8-8


                                           carbon from organic matter;

nutrient bal.:                       nitrogen from organic or external matter (optimum rate16C/1N)
                                           phosphorus from organic or external matter (optimum rate16C/1P)

                                          

micro nutr.:                        trace inorganic elements like: molybdenium, iron, nickel, cobalt, selenium)

                                           Heavy metal toxicity is avoided by little H2S