Biogas production enhancement by soya sludge amendment in cattle dung digesters

Biogas energy production from cattle dung is an economically feasible and eco-friendly in nature. But dependence only on cattle dung is a limiting factor. Rich nitrogen containing substrate addition to extra carbohydrate digester like cattle dung could improve the biogas production. Detailed performance of the digesters at different ratios of cattle dung and soya sludge has been discussed in this paper considering the cold countries climate. Soya sludge substrate not only has high nitrogen content of 4.0–4.8% but it also has high percentage of volatile solids content in the range of 97.8–98.8%. Soya sludge addition also improved the manurial value of the digested slurry and also improved the dewater-ability of the sludge. Results indicated an increment of 27.0% gas production at 25.0% amendment of soya sludge in non-homogenized cattle dung (NCD) digester. The amount of gas production increased to 46.4% in case of homogenized cattle dung (HCD) with respect to NCD feed at the same amendment.     

户用沼气池对农村家庭能源消费的影响--以江苏省涟水县为例

户用沼气池建设不但改变了农村家庭能源消费结构，还带动了农村养殖业、种植业的发展。通过对江苏省涟水县农村家庭能源消费和沼气池使用等相关问题的入户调查，定量研究了户用沼气池建设所产生的影响。证明户用沼气池的使用能提高家庭能源利用效率，减少能源消费量和化肥的使用量，有利于农作物秸秆的还田，提高农户的生活质量。     

Dry anaerobic fermentation of agricultural residues

The dry anaerobic fermentation plays an important role in the field of bioengineering, especially in the production of energy (biogas) and organic fertilizer. Meanwhile the pollution effect of the solid wastes are decreased. Dry anaerobic fermentations of different organic solid wastes were studied. These included cotton stalks, treated cotton stalks, corn stalks, rice straw, and water hyacinth. The effect of the initial solid concentration, temperature, starter, and buffer additives on dry anaerobic fermentation on biogas production rate and yield has been studied.     

Evaluating benefits of low-cost household digesters for rural Andean communities

Low-cost household digesters are a promising appropriate technology which can help reducing the pressure on the environment due to deforestation and greenhouse gases emissions. The biogas and biofertilizer produced can alleviate poverty, by improving health conditions, increasing crops productivity and saving working time and burden for women and children. The aim of this study is to evaluate low-cost digesters technical, environmental and socio-economic impacts in rural communities of the Peruvian Andes, where a pilot project was developed during the last 3 years. Although the benefits are restricted by the performance of anaerobic digestion at high altitude, the results show that the digesters improve household living conditions and economy, while reducing environmental impacts. Biogas production covers around 60% of fuel needs for cooking, leading to 50-60% decrease in firewood consumption (i.e. deforestation) and greenhouse gases emissions; the annual income is increased by 3-5.5% due to fertilizer savings and potato sales. These values could be improved by enhancing digesters performance and the sustainability of the technology.     

Biomass energy utilization in rural areas may contribute to alleviating energy crisis and global warming: A case study in a typical agro-village of Shandong,China

A biomass energy exploration experiment was conducted in Jiangjiazhuang, a typical agro-village in Shandong, China from 2005 to 2009. The route of this study was designed as an agricultural circulation as: crops → crop residues → “Bread” forage → cattle → cattle dung → biogas digester → biogas/digester residues → green fertilizers → crops. About 738.8 tons of crop residues are produced in this village each year. In 2005, only two cattle were fed in this village and 1.1% of the crop residues were used as forage. About 38.5% crop residues were used for livelihood energy, 24.5% were discarded and 29.7% were directly burned in the field. Not more than three biogas digesters were built and merely 2250 m³ biogas was produced a year relative to saving 1.6 tons standard coal and equivalent to reducing 4.3 tons CO₂ emission. A total of US$ 4491 profits were obtained from cattle benefit, reducing fossil energies/chemical fertilizer application and increasing crop yield. After 5 years experiment, cattle capita had raised gradually up to 146 and some 62.3% crop residues were used as forage. The percentages used as livelihood energy, discarded and burned in the field decreased to 16.3%, 9.2% and 9.8%, respectively. Biogas digesters increased to 123 and 92,250 m³ biogas was fermented equal to saving 65.9 tons standard coal and reducing 177.9 tons CO₂ emission. In total US$ 60,710 profits were obtained in 2009. In addition, about 989.9 tons green fertilizers were produced from biogas digesters and applied in croplands. The results suggested that livestock and biogas projects were promising strategies to consume the redundant agricultural residues, offer livelihood energy and increase the villagers’ incomes. Biogas production and utilization could effectively alleviate energy crisis and CO₂ emission, which might be a great contribution to reach the affirmatory carbon emission goal of the Chinese government on Climate Conference in Copenhagen in 2009.     

一株纤维素降解菌的筛选及其在沼气应用中的研究

利用实验室保存的细菌、真菌和从牛粪、猪粪中分离出来的多株菌株,对秸秆纤维素进行降解试验,从而筛选出了能够降解秸秆纤维素(降解率为43.75%)的优势菌株.用几株降解效果较理想的菌株处理秸秆,对处理后的秸秆进行沼气发酵,通过高效气相色谱仪对沼气成分进行分析,发现从牛粪中筛选出的N2菌株效果较好,发酵2周后,其产气中甲烷含量为62.48%(体积分数,下同),二氧化碳含量为31.83%,氮气含量为2.11%.通过生理生化鉴定,初步鉴定N2菌株为枯草杆菌(Bacillus subtilis).     

Prospective application of farm cattle manure for bioenergy production in Portugal

Biogas is a promising renewable fuel, which can be produced from a variety of organic raw materials and used for various energetic purposes, such as heat, combined heat and power or as a vehicle fuel. Biogas systems implementation are, therefore, subjected to several support measures but also to several constraints, related with policy measures on energy, waste treatment and agriculture. In this work, different policies and policy instruments, as well as other factors, which influence a potential expansion of Portuguese biogas systems are identified and evaluated. The result of this analysis shows that the use of the cattle manure for biogas production is still far from its potential. The main reason is the reduced dimension of the Portuguese farms, which makes biogas production unfeasible. Various options are suggested to increase or improve biogas production such as co-digestion, centralized plants and modular plants. Horizontal digesters are the most suitable for the typical Portuguese plant size and have the advantage of being also suitable for co-digestion due to the very good mixing conditions. Mesophilic anaerobic digestion due to a more robustness, stability and lower energy consumption should be the choice. The recent increase in the feed-in tariffs for the electricity production based on anaerobic digestion biogas is seen as a political push to this sector.     

Simultaneously improving pretreatment and anaerobic acidification effects on corn stalk by low concentration of FeCl2 solution

Considering the whole process optimization of biogas production, low concentration of FeCl₂ solution was studied as a catalyst for corn stalk pretreatment and hydrolysis liquid was inspected for anaerobic acidification fermentation. Optimum pretreatment conditions were found where the corn stalk was pretreated with 1 mg/L FeCl₂ at 200°C for 20 min. Through comparative study with distilled water in the anaerobic fermentation stage, the result showed that FeCl₂ could speed up anaerobic acidification digesting process. The study provided a novel idea to evaluate the role of iron in the whole process from pretreatment to fermentation.     

The effect of waste paper on the kinetics of biogas yield from the co-digestion of cow dung and water hyacinth

The effect of waste paper on biogas yield produced by co-digesting fixed amount of cow dung and water hyacinth in five digesters A-E was studied at room temperature. Waste paper was observed to improve biogas yield in digesters B-E with digester A acting as the control. However, as the amount of waste paper increased the biogas yield was observed to decrease. Kinetic model based on first order kinetic was derived to estimate the maximum, ultimate, biogas yield and also the ultimate methane yield from these biomass mixtures. The maximum biogas yield estimated using this model for digesters B-E were 0.282, 0.262, 0.233, and 0.217 lg⁻¹ VS fed with goodness of fit (R²) of 0.995, 0.99, 0.889, and 0.925 respectively, which were obtained by fitting the experimental biogas yield (y_t) against (exp(kt)−1)/exp(kt). The ultimate biogas and methane yield at very low batch solid load were extrapolated to be 0.34 and 0.204 lg⁻¹ VS fed respectively. In essence, the addition of waste paper in the co-digestion of cow dung and water hyacinth can be a feasible means of improving biogas yield and also alternative means of recycling waste paper. Furthermore, the kinetic model developed can compliment other models used in anaerobic digestion of agricultural and solid waste.     

Can biogas digesters help to reduce deforestation in Africa?

Biogas digesters could help to reduce deforestation in Sub-Saharan Africa by providing a source of energy that would otherwise be provided by woodfuel. However, the link between deforestation and use of woodfuel at global level is weak because fuel is often obtained from fallen wood or from sources felled for construction or land clearance. This paper examines the link between deforestation and use of woodfuel, and evaluates whether biogas digesters are likely to help reduce deforestation in Africa. Woodfuel production and consumption in Africa are increasing over time. Of the deforestation observed in 2010, we estimated that 70(±42)% can be attributed to woodfuel demand. Uncertainties in this figure arise from uncertainty in efficiency of energy use in different designs of wood-burning stoves, and the percentage of energy obtained from woodfuel in rural and urban populations. The contribution of woodfuel demand to deforestation is predicted to increase by 2030 to up to 83(±50)%. This is due to an increasing population requiring more woodfuel and so contributing to a higher proportion of total deforestation. Biogas production has the potential to reduce deforestation due to woodfuel demand by between 6 and 36% in 2010 and between 4 and 26% in 2030. This is equivalent to 10–40% of total deforestation in 2010, and 9–35% of total deforestation in 2030. The highest contribution to biogas production is likely to be from cattle manure, and the uncertainty in the potential of biogas to reduce deforestation is mainly associated with uncertainties in the amount of biogas produced per animal.     

Modeling of coupling gasification and anaerobic digestion processes for maize bioenergy conversion

This work estimates the advantages of using maize as fuel in a power plant composed of an anaerobic digester, a gasifier and an Internal Combustion (IC) engine. The digester is fed with maize grains, while, the remaining part of the plant, the stover, is gasified. Then biogas and syngas streams are both used as fuel into the engine. The performance of this plant was evaluated coupling gasification and anaerobic digestion mathematical models. Results of the proposed solution are compared with the performance of a 100 kW biogas power plant fed with the whole crop silaged. Results show that the overall energy yield of the improved solution is 39% higher than the conventional one fed with maize silage. This method will lead to the design of small and cheap digesters as a result of the increased conversion rate. In fact, the solution proposed fully converts the high cellulose-fiber parts of the maize plant that were tough to degrade in anaerobic digesters.     

Hydrogen production from organic waste

The extraction of pure hydrogen from the fermentation of household waste by a mixed anaerobic bacterial flora is demonstrated. Simulated household waste (600 g) was fermented in a bioreactor, which was continuously sparged with nitrogen (30 ml/min) fed in from the bottom. The gas stream from the biorector passes through a sulphide trap (ZnO) and then through a heated palladium–silver membrane reactor to separate hydrogen from the gas stream. In this way, waste remediation and biological hydrogen production is combined in a process where a large proportion of the hydrogen produced can be collected, free of other gaseous species from the fermentation.     

Comparison of the effectivities of two-phase and single-phase anaerobic sequencing batch reactors during dairy wastewater treatment

The performances of anaerobic sequencing batch reactors fed with two different substrates were studied. The substrates were raw acid whey and acid whey fermented with Kluyveromyces lactis in order to investigate the suitability of ethanol for biogas production. The organic loading rates (OLRs) during the experiment ranged from 1.6 to 12.8 g COD dm⁻³ d⁻¹ and the corresponding decreasing hydraulic retention times from 40 to 5 days for both reactor systems. The efficiency of each system depended on the OLR: the highest COD removal rate was observed at the lowest OLR applied (about 100% in both systems), and at maximum OLR the COD removal efficiency was 68% for the reactors fed with the raw whey and 80% for those fed with the pre-fermented whey. Under the same high OLR conditions the methane yield was 0.122 dm⁻³ CH₄ g⁻¹ COD_degraded for the anaerobic digesters fed with the untreated whey, and 0.197 dm⁻³ CH₄ g⁻¹ COD_degraded for those fed with the pre-fermented whey. The digesters functioned without pH control. At the maximum OLR the pH in the reactors fed with the raw acid whey was 5.1, while in those fed with the pre-fermented whey it was 7.15.The results demonstrate that the use of the pre-fermented acid whey as substrate for anaerobic digestion without pH control is feasible, especially at high OLR levels. This substrate is preferable to the raw acid whey, because of the ethanol formed as a non-acidic fermentation product of the yeast.     

When does decentralized production of biogas and centralized upgrading and injection into the natural gas grid make sense?

The production of biogas through anaerobic digestion is one of the technological solutions to convert biomass into a readily usable fuel. Biogas can replace natural gas, if the biogas is upgraded to green gas. To contribute to the EU-target to reduce Green House Gases emissions, the installed biogas production capacity and the amount of farm-based biomass, as a feedstock, has to be increased. A model was developed to describe a green gas production chain that consists of several digesters connected by a biogas grid to an upgrading and injection facility. The model calculates costs and energy use for 1 m³ of green gas. The number of digesters in the chain can be varied to find results for different configurations. Results are presented for a chain with decentralized production of biogas, i.e. a configuration with several digesters, and a centralized green gas production chain using a single digester. The model showed that no energy advantage per produced m³ green gas can be created using a biogas grid and decentralized digesters instead of one large-scale digester. Production costs using a centralized digester are lower, in the range of 5 €ct to 13 €ct per m³, than in a configuration of decentralized digesters. The model calculations also showed the financial benefit for an operator of a small-scale digester wishing to produce green gas in the cooperation with nearby other producers. E.g. subsidies and legislation based on environmental arguments could encourage the use of decentralized digesters in a biogas grid.     

Assessment of biogas potential hazards

Biogas produced from anaerobic fermentation of organic substances represents an alternative renewable energy source. Its utilization would contribute to substantial reduction of the solid waste volume in land-filling and incineration. Biogas so produced could be utilized on site or it could be injected into the natural gas distribution network. Microbiological and chemical compositions of different biogas types were determined in order to conduct qualitative and quantitative risk assessments of the potential health hazards associated with biogas use for cooking. Biogas types that could be allowed for injection in the natural gas pipelines were listed with recommendations, while outlining the European biogas injection policy. Results indicated that the injection of the processed biogas in the distribution network did not present any additional chemical or microbiological risk to consumers when compared to natural gas, provided that the biogas resulted from the fermentation of non-dangerous waste. However, since this study did not examine the microbiological and chemical composition of biogas originating from wastewater sludges and/or industrial wastes, the injection of this type of biogas into the gas distribution network should not be allowed unless a similar risk evaluation study is conducted for each case.     

牛粪高浓度发酵微氧脱硫过程中的含硫物质研究

针对牛粪沼气发酵进行了微氧法原位脱硫研究。对照组进行严格厌氧发酵,试验组每隔一段时间通入微量空气。试验采用两个容积7 L的发酵罐,各加入纯牛粪4 kg,牛粪的TS为14.96%,发酵温度为40℃,试验组每日通入空气量为18 mL。为分析微氧脱硫法对牛粪高浓度发酵的适用性,重点针对发酵前后发酵液中的含硫物质进行研究。试验结果表明:通入微量空气对纯牛粪发酵进行原位脱硫的平均脱硫率能够达到89.5%。在发酵过程中,含硫物质的转化是硫酸盐还原菌(SRB)和硫化物氧化菌(SOB)的综合作用,当通入空气量与发酵液内的菌群不匹配时,沼气中的硫化氢含量会发生周期性的波动。对发酵前后的发酵物进行硫平衡分析显示,微氧法脱硫后沼液中可计量的含硫物质量明显高于厌氧发酵,说明微氧法脱硫的脱硫效果较好。     

Biogas production and its application in compressed gas

Nowadays, the world is facing critical problem of energy deficit, global warming, and deterioration of the environment. Under the current scenario, the biogas energy source is the most challenging one to cope up with the scarcity of energy. Biogas is a renewable energy source which can be obtained by fermentation of organic matter also known as biomass. The biomass includes livestock waste (cow dung, manure, and uneaten food), food waste, and residues from meat, fish and dairy processing. The present study is to explore the potential of biogas production from cow dung and its usage through compressed form in a cylinder. This stored biogas can be put in use to the extent where it is required and it also reduces transportation costs, which is a major hurdle in the biogas usage. This paper summarizes an idea that can be carried out for effective biogas production, scrubbing, compression, and bottling process.     

Isolation of hydrogen generating microflora from cow dung for seeding anaerobic digester

The effectiveness of using cow dung as a source for isolating hydrogen generating microflora was investigated under varying isolating conditions based on viz.: pH adjustment and pH adjustment coupled with heat treatment. The viability of the isolated microflora was tested in an anaerobic jar with respect to biogas generation, hydrogen content and pH. The results showed that for pH adjusted microflora isolated from cow dung with solids content at 10% resulted in a cumulative biogas generation of 1494, 2404 and 3327 ml, whereas the corresponding cumulative hydrogen generation was found to be 424, 701 and 47 ml during the anaerobic fermentation for 120 h at a pH of 4, 5 and 6, respectively. The biogas was free from methane when operated at pH 4 and 5, whereas at pH 6 methane generation was observed. In the case of microflora isolated from cow dung with 10% solids, by subjecting to pH adjustment coupled with heat treatment resulted in biogas free from methane content during the fermentation at pH 4, 5 and 6, respectively. At the end of 120 h of fermentation for a reactor pH at 4, 5 and 6 the cumulative biogas generation was 1685, 2610 and 2353 ml, whereas the cumulative hydrogen generation was 509, 1198 and 1165 ml, respectively. A maximum of 41% and 62% hydrogen was obtained at pH 5 for microflora isolated based on pH adjustment and pH adjustment coupled with heat treatment. The effect of initial solids content of the cow dung on the isolating efficiency of hydrogen generating microflora was also investigated at pH 5 and 6 coupled with heat treatment. The results revealed that with the increase in initial solids content of the cow dung the optimum heat treatment period also increased as the pH increased from 5 to 6.     

稻壳与玉米秆高温厌氧发酵制备生物燃气潜力研究

研究了玉米秆和稻壳在固体浓度为6%时的高温（50℃）发酵性能,并分析了发酵过程中氨氮浓度、碱度及挥发性脂肪酸等参数的变化情况。结果表明,玉米秆和稻壳的挥发性物质产甲烷率接近,分别为（157.67 ± 3.00）mL/g VS和（155.83 ± 6.25）mL/g VS,挥发性物质去除率分别为（53.38 ± 0.81）% 和（42.67 ± 0.3）%。但稻壳相比于玉米秆无需粉碎,降低了输入能耗。发酵过程中氨氮浓度及挥发性脂肪酸数值低于抑制浓度,且碱度对发酵系统酸浓度变化具有很好的缓冲能力,可见玉米秆和稻壳适宜作为沼气工程的原料,并可在6%的固体浓度及高温条件下稳定发酵。     

Socio-economic hurdles to widespread adoption of small-scale biogas digesters in Sub-Saharan Africa: A review

The unsustainable use of fossil fuels has led to increased awareness and widespread research on the accessibility of renewable energy resources such as biogas. Biogas is a methane rich gas that is produced by anaerobic fermentation of organic material. Despite its potential to replace biomass in Africa, where over 70% of the households use wood fuel and agricultural waste for cooking, biogas technology has not been adopted by Sub-Saharan African countries compared to their Asian counterparts. This paper examines the socioeconomic constraints to adoption of biogas in Sub-Saharan Africa and explores factors that could enhance adoption of the technology. These include standardization and quality control, as well as an approach of integrated farming using biogas and slurry. The article recommends mobilization of local and external funds to promote biogas, use of ready to use funds such as the Clean Development Mechanisms in overcoming the initial construction costs of biogas units, and formation of user and disseminator associations to reduce costs by joint procurement and linkage to finance. It further advocates the promotion of multiple uses of biogas for purposes other than cooking and lighting. It is expected that widespread adoption of the technology could lead to self-sufficiency in household energy provision for cooking. This would facilitate environmental management and economic development in Sub-Saharan Africa.