From the SelectedWorks of Wiji Senadeera

PhD
February 2005
Anaerobic digestion- Institute of Sustainable
Systems and Technologies
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Implementation and
Implementation and
optimisation
optimisation
of
of
anaerobic digestion to South
anaerobic digestion to South
Australian Climatic Conditions
Australian Climatic Conditions
Wijitha Senadeera
Saiful Bari
Andrew Burge
Institute for Sustainable Systems and
Technologies Initiative
Paul Harris
University of Adelaide
Objectives of the project
Objectives of the project
Characterization and quantification of the
different wastes in the SA region
Evaluation of Anaerobic Digestion
Technologies available
Evaluation of economic environmental
benefits associated with anaerobic digestion
Possible applications of biogas in SA
Design and construct small scale trial
facility to suit south Australian conditions
What is Anaerobic Digestion ?
What is Anaerobic Digestion ?
A biological process that decomposes organic waste to
produce biogas (CH
4
and CO
2
) and fertilizer under airless
conditions
Environmentally and economically favourable way to
process organic waste
A waste management strategy designed to close the loop
for organic waste;
Generating renewable energy from biogas
Returning organics back to the soil structure
Polymers substrates
(carbohydrates , fats, proteins)
Fragments and soluble polymers
H
2
CO
2
organic acids acetic acid alcohols
Acetic acids
Methane
1. Hydrolysis Phase
2. Acidogenesis Phase
3. Acetogenesis Phase
4. Methanogenesis Phase
The concept of anaerobic treatment
Parameters in anaerobic digestion
Parameters in anaerobic digestion
pH value
Temperature
Loading rate
Retention time (HRT/SRT)
Toxicity of the trace elements
Anaerobic Digestion
Thermophilic ~ 60
Mesophilic ~ 35
80
40
10 100
Digestion Time (hrs)
Anaerobic Digestion Benefits
Anaerobic Digestion Benefits
Reduce volume of waste going to land fill
Reduce greenhouse gas emissions
Methane from landfill
Carbon dioxide from electricity generation
Treatment of waste reduces odour, pathogens,
applied in places and times for better nutrient
uptake
Reduce BOD of waste water
Manage environmental risks
Reduction in global warming
Digestion Process
Digestion Process






BIO GAS
SOLIDS
LIQUOR
FOOD/FARM
WASTES
DIGESTION
Some Industries Identified as
Some Industries Identified as
suitable for Anaerobic
suitable for Anaerobic
digestion in South Australia
digestion in South Australia
Agricultural waste Agro-industrial waste Municipal waste
Dairy
Farm
Beef cattle
Pig
Chicken
Horse
Sheep
Dairy Processing
Fish processing
Meat processing
Vegetable processing
Wine processing
Olive processing
Breweries
Sewage sludge
Municipal solid waste
Green/botanical waste




Estimated biogas production in
Estimated biogas production in
SA based on 2004 statistics of
SA based on 2004 statistics of
some waste material
some waste material

Waste
material
Average biogas
yield per day (m
3
)
Yearly estimate biogas production in
SA (million m
3
)
Cattle 0.37 20 (0.07 PJ)
Pig 0.18 30 (0.11 PJ)
Poultry 0.011 15 (0.05 PJ)
Olive waste 3.5 (0.01PJ)
(values given in the brackets are primary energy production calculated based on gas volumes)
Properties of Biogas
Properties of Biogas
1m
3
of biogas
Generates 1.5 KWh
Equals 1 lb of LPG
Equals 0.54 l of Petrol
Equals 0.52 l of Diesel
Calorific value ~ 24 MJ/m
3
Contains 65% CH
4
& 35% CO
2
Source: Horst, W. D. (2000)
Laboratory Testing Facility is
Laboratory Testing Facility is
under construction
under construction
Determination of biogas yield with respect
to :
different Total solids and Volatile solids for
different waste types
At different temperatures
Composition of biogas
Mass and energy balance of the conversion
Commonly available AD
Commonly available AD
Technologies
Technologies
Standard digester
Anaerobic contact process
Anaerobic filter
Upflow anaerobic sludge blanket
Hybrid reactors
Standard digester
Standard digester
Anaerobic Digestion
Methane (CH
4
) Production
Active Mixing
Zone
Fresh sludge
Gas Produced
Sludge
Liquid
Lagoon type digester
Lagoon type digester
Digester at Adelaide University
Digester at Adelaide University
Anaerobic contact process
Anaerobic contact process
Anaerobic filter
Anaerobic filter
Upflow
Upflow
anaerobic sludge
anaerobic sludge
blanket
blanket
Hybrid reactors
Hybrid reactors
Combination of AF and UASB
Sludge bed at the bottom
Packing at the top
High biomass accumulation possible
Possible applications
Possible applications
Heating
Mechanical power
Electricity generation
Co-generation (CHP)
Micro turbine
Evaluation of environmental
Evaluation of environmental
benefits
benefits
Emission benefits
Land use
Reduction in green house gas potential
Research at UNISA (ISST)
Research at UNISA (ISST)
A detailed evaluation and quantification of wastes
in South Australian region suitable for anaerobic
digestion
Design and construction of a suitable small scale
facility for testing different wastes and treatment
methods
Detailed evaluation and quantification of
environmental benefits
Flow diagrams and preliminary facilities depicting
the conceptual layout of possible pilot plants
Acknowledgements
Acknowledgements
Director/Agricultural Machinery Research and
Design Centre for providing me a place to stay
and carryout this study
Directors/Institute for Sustainable Systems and
Technologies Initiative, for provision of the grant
Director/Sustainable Energy Centre for making
me enthusiastic on this Bio-energy area
THANK YOU
THANK YOU