Difference between revisions of "Balloon Digester for Biogas Plants"

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= Overview<br/> =
 
= Overview<br/> =
  
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*[[Fixed-dome Biogas Plants|Fixed-dome Plants]]
 
*[[Fixed-dome Biogas Plants|Fixed-dome Plants]]
 
*[[Floating Drum Biogas Plants|Floating-drum Plants]]
 
*[[Floating Drum Biogas Plants|Floating-drum Plants]]
*[[Low-Cost Polyethylen Tube Digester|Low-Cost Polyethylen Tube Digester]]
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*[[Low-Cost Polyethylene Tube Digester|Low-Cost Polyethylen Tube Digester]]
 
*Balloon Plants
 
*Balloon Plants
  
 
<br/>The table below gives a first comparison of the different types.<br/>
 
<br/>The table below gives a first comparison of the different types.<br/>
  
{| cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" border="0" style="width:100%;"
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{| cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" border="0" style="width:100%"
 
|-
 
|-
! style="width: 126px;" scope="col" | <p style="text-align: center">Factors</p>
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! scope="col" style="width: 126px" | <p style="text-align: center">Factors</p>
! style="width: 126px;" scope="col" | <p style="text-align: center">Fixed dome</p>
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! scope="col" style="width: 126px" | <p style="text-align: center">Fixed dome</p>
! style="width: 126px;" scope="col" | <p style="text-align: center">Floating drum</p>
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! scope="col" style="width: 126px" | <p style="text-align: center">Floating drum</p>
! style="width: 126px;" scope="col" | <p style="text-align: center">Tubular design</p>
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! scope="col" style="width: 126px" | <p style="text-align: center">Tubular design</p>
! style="width: 126px;" scope="col" | <p style="text-align: center">Plastic containers</p>
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! scope="col" style="width: 126px" | <p style="text-align: center">Plastic containers</p>
 
|-
 
|-
| style="width:126px" | <p style="text-align: center;">Gas storage</p>
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| style="width:126px" | <p style="text-align: center">Gas storage</p>
| style="width:126px" | <p style="text-align: center;">Internal Gas storage up to 20 m³ (large)</p>
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| style="width:126px" | <p style="text-align: center">Internal Gas storage up to 20 m³ (large)</p>
| style="width:126px" | <p style="text-align: center;">Internal Gas storage drum size (small)</p>
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| style="width:126px" | <p style="text-align: center">Internal Gas storage drum size (small)</p>
| style="width:126px" | <p style="text-align: center;">Internal eventually external plastic bags</p>
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| style="width:126px" | <p style="text-align: center">Internal eventually external plastic bags</p>
| style="width:126px" | <p style="text-align: center;">Internal Gas storage drum sizes (small)</p>
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| style="width:126px" | <p style="text-align: center">Internal Gas storage drum sizes (small)</p>
 
|-
 
|-
| style="width:126px" | <p style="text-align: center;">Gas pressure</p>
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| style="width:126px" | <p style="text-align: center">Gas pressure</p>
| style="width:126px" | <p style="text-align: center;">Between 60 and 120 mbar</p>
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| style="width:126px" | <p style="text-align: center">Between 60 and 120 mbar</p>
| style="width:126px" | <p style="text-align: center;">Upto 20 mbar</p>
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| style="width:126px" | <p style="text-align: center">Upto 20 mbar</p>
| style="width:126px" | <p style="text-align: center;">Low, around 2 mbar</p>
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| style="width:126px" | <p style="text-align: center">Low, around 2 mbar</p>
| style="width:126px" | <p style="text-align: center;">Low around 2mbar</p>
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| style="width:126px" | <p style="text-align: center">Low around 2mbar</p>
 
|-
 
|-
| style="width:126px" | <p style="text-align: center;">Skills of contractor</p>
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| style="width:126px" | <p style="text-align: center">Skills of contractor</p>
| style="width:126px" | <p style="text-align: center;">High; masonry, plumbing</p>
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| style="width:126px" | <p style="text-align: center">High; masonry, plumbing</p>
| style="width:126px" | <p style="text-align: center;">High; masonry, plumbing, welding</p>
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| style="width:126px" | <p style="text-align: center">High; masonry, plumbing, welding</p>
| style="width:126px" | <p style="text-align: center;">Medium; plumbing</p>
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| style="width:126px" | <p style="text-align: center">Medium; plumbing</p>
| style="width:126px" | <p style="text-align: center;">Low; plumbing</p>
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| style="width:126px" | <p style="text-align: center">Low; plumbing</p>
 
|-
 
|-
| style="width:126px" | <p style="text-align: center;">Availability of Material</p>
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| style="width:126px" | <p style="text-align: center">Availability of Material</p>
| style="width:126px" | <p style="text-align: center;">yes</p>
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| style="width:126px" | <p style="text-align: center">yes</p>
| style="width:126px" | <p style="text-align: center;">yes</p>
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| style="width:126px" | <p style="text-align: center">yes</p>
| style="width:126px" | <p style="text-align: center;">yes</p>
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| style="width:126px" | <p style="text-align: center">yes</p>
| style="width:126px" | <p style="text-align: center;">yes</p>
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| style="width:126px" | <p style="text-align: center">yes</p>
 
|-
 
|-
| style="width:126px" | <p style="text-align: center;">Durability</p>
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| style="width:126px" | <p style="text-align: center">Durability</p>
| style="width:126px" | <p style="text-align: center;">Very high >20 years</p>
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| style="width:126px" | <p style="text-align: center">Very high >20 years</p>
| style="width:126px" | <p style="text-align: center;">High; drum is weakness</p>
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| style="width:126px" | <p style="text-align: center">High; drum is weakness</p>
| style="width:126px" | <p style="text-align: center;">Medium; Depending on chosen liner</p>
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| style="width:126px" | <p style="text-align: center">Medium; Depending on chosen liner</p>
| style="width:126px" | <p style="text-align: center;">Medium</p>
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| style="width:126px" | <p style="text-align: center">Medium</p>
 
|-
 
|-
| style="width:126px" | <p style="text-align: center;">Agitation</p>
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| style="width:126px" | <p style="text-align: center">Agitation</p>
| style="width:126px" | <p style="text-align: center;">Self agitated by Biogas pressure</p>
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| style="width:126px" | <p style="text-align: center">Self agitated by Biogas pressure</p>
| style="width:126px" | <p style="text-align: center;">Manual steering</p>
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| style="width:126px" | <p style="text-align: center">Manual steering</p>
| style="width:126px" | <p style="text-align: center;">Not possible; plug flow type</p>
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| style="width:126px" | <p style="text-align: center">Not possible; plug flow type</p>
| style="width:126px" | <p style="text-align: center;">Evtl Manual steering</p>
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| style="width:126px" | <p style="text-align: center">Evtl Manual steering</p>
 
|-
 
|-
| style="width:126px" | <p style="text-align: center;">Sizing</p>
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| style="width:126px" | <p style="text-align: center">Sizing</p>
| style="width:126px" | <p style="text-align: center;">6 to 124 m³ digester vol</p>
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| style="width:126px" | <p style="text-align: center">6 to 124 m³ digester vol</p>
| style="width:126px" | <p style="text-align: center;">Up to 20 m³</p>
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| style="width:126px" | <p style="text-align: center">Up to 20 m³</p>
| style="width:126px" | <p style="text-align: center;">Combination possible</p>
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| style="width:126px" | <p style="text-align: center">Combination possible</p>
| style="width:126px" | <p style="text-align: center;">Up to 6 m³ digester vol<br/></p>
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| style="width:126px" | <p style="text-align: center">Up to 6 m³ digester vol<br/></p>
 
|-
 
|-
| style="width:126px" | <p style="text-align: center;">Methane emission</p>
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| style="width:126px" | <p style="text-align: center">Methane emission</p>
| style="width:126px" | <p style="text-align: center;">High</p>
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| style="width:126px" | <p style="text-align: center">High</p>
| style="width:126px" | <p style="text-align: center;">Medium</p>
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| style="width:126px" | <p style="text-align: center">Medium</p>
| style="width:126px" | <p style="text-align: center;">Low</p>
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| style="width:126px" | <p style="text-align: center">Low</p>
| style="width:126px" | <p style="text-align: center;">Medium<br/></p>
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| style="width:126px" | <p style="text-align: center">Medium<br/></p>
 
|}
 
|}
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<br/>
  
 
= Balloon Plants =
 
= Balloon Plants =
  
A balloon plant consists of a heat-sealed plastic or rubber bag (balloon), combining digester and gas-holder. The gas is stored in the upper part of the balloon. The inlet and outlet are attached directly to the skin of the balloon. Gas pressure can be increased by placing weights on the balloon. If the gas pressure exceeds a limit that the balloon can withstand, it may damage the skin. Therefore, safety valves are required. If higher gas pressures are needed, a gas pump is required. Since the material has to be weather- and UV resistant, specially stabilized, reinforced plastic or synthetic <span data-scayt_word="caoutchouc" data-scaytid="10">caoutchouc</span> is given preference. Other materials which have been used successfully include <span data-scayt_word="RMP" data-scaytid="11">RMP</span> (red mud plastic), <span data-scayt_word="Trevira" data-scaytid="12">Trevira</span> and butyl. The useful life-span does usually not exceed 2-5 years.<br/>'''Advantages''': Standardized prefabrication at low cost, low construction sophistication, ease of transportation, shallow installation suitable for use in areas with a high groundwater table; high digester temperatures in warm climates; uncomplicated cleaning, emptying and maintenance; difficult substrates like water hyacinths can be used. Balloon <span data-scayt_word="biogas" data-scaytid="15">biogas</span> plants are recommended, if local repair is or can be made possible and the cost advantage is substantial.<br/>'''Disadvantages''': Low gas pressure may require gas pumps; scum cannot be removed during operation; the plastic balloon has a relatively short useful life-span and is susceptible to mechanical damage and usually not available locally. In addition, local craftsmen are rarely in a position to repair a damaged balloon. There is only little scope for the creation of local employment and, therefore, limited self-help potential.<br/>'''Variations:''' A variation of the balloon plant is the channel-type digester, which is usually covered with plastic sheeting and a sunshade (fig.1-E). Balloon plants can be recommended wherever the balloon skin is not likely to be damaged and where the temperature is even and high.<br/>
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A balloon plant consists of a heat-sealed plastic or rubber bag (balloon), combining digester and gas-holder. The gas is stored in the upper part of the balloon. The inlet and outlet are attached directly to the skin of the balloon. Gas pressure can be increased by placing weights on the balloon. If the gas pressure exceeds a limit that the balloon can withstand, it may damage the skin. Therefore, safety valves are required. If higher gas pressures are needed, a gas pump is required. Since the material has to be weather- and UV resistant, specially stabilized, reinforced plastic or synthetic <span data-scaytid="10" data-scayt_word="caoutchouc">caoutchouc</span> is given preference. Other materials which have been used successfully include <span data-scaytid="11" data-scayt_word="RMP">RMP</span> (red mud plastic), <span data-scaytid="12" data-scayt_word="Trevira">Trevira</span> and butyl. The useful life-span does usually not exceed 2-5 years.<br/>
 +
 
 +
<br/>'''Advantages''':<br/>
 +
 
 +
*Standardized prefabrication at low cost,<br/>
 +
*low construction sophistication,<br/>
 +
*ease of transportation,<br/>
 +
*shallow installation suitable for use in areas with a high groundwater table;<br/>
 +
*high temperature digesters in warm climates;<br/>
 +
*uncomplicated cleaning,<br/>
 +
*emptying and maintenance;<br/>
 +
*difficult substrates like water hyacinths can be used
 +
 
 +
Balloon biogas plants are recommended, if local repair is or can be made possible and the cost advantage is substantial.
 +
 
 +
<br/>
 +
 
 +
'''Disadvantages''':<br/>
 +
 
 +
*Low gas pressure may require gas pumps;<br/>
 +
*scum cannot be removed during operation;<br/>
 +
*the plastic balloon has a relatively short useful life-span and is susceptible to mechanical damage and usually not available locally. In addition, local craftsmen are rarely in a position to repair a damaged balloon. There is only little scope for the creation of local employment and, therefore, limited self-help potential.
 +
 
 +
<br/>
  
{| cellpadding="10" border="0" class="IMGright FCK__ShowTableBorders" style="width: 100%"
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'''Variations:''' A variation of the balloon plant is the channel-type digester, which is usually covered with plastic sheeting and a sunshade (fig.1-E). Balloon plants can be recommended wherever the balloon skin is not likely to be damaged and where the temperature is even and high.<br/>
 +
 
 +
{| cellpadding="10" border="0" style="width: 100%" class="IMGright FCK__ShowTableBorders"
 
|-
 
|-
 
|  
 
|  
[[File:Foilplant.jpg|thumb|left|250pxpx|Foil Plant]]
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[[File:Foilplant.jpg|thumb|left|250px|Foil Plant]]
  
 
|  
 
|  
[[File:Plant-types s.gif|thumb|right|300pxpx|Plant types]]
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[[File:Plant-types s.gif|thumb|right|300px|Plant types]]
  
 
|}
 
|}
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[[#toc|►Go to Top]]<br/>
 +
 +
= Further Information =
 +
 +
*[[Portal:Biogas|Biogas portal on energypedia]]
  
 
<br/>
 
<br/>
  
[[Fixed-dome_Biogas_Plants#toc|►Go to Top]]<br/>
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= References =
 +
 
 +
*GTZ: [[:File:Biogas gate volume 2.pdf|Biogas Digest Volume II: Biogas - Application and Product Development]]
 +
 
 +
*This article is a continuation of the article, '''[[Types of Biogas Digesters and Plants|Types of Biogas Digesters and Plants]]'''. For questions regarding the article, please contact the authors of the article, '''[[Types of Biogas Digesters and Plants|Types of Biogas Digesters and Plants]].'''
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<br/><references /><br/>
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 +
[[Category:Biogas]]

Latest revision as of 12:57, 25 January 2016

Overview

There are different types of small scale biogas digesters. Some of the biogas digesters are summarized below:


The table below gives a first comparison of the different types.

Factors

Fixed dome

Floating drum

Tubular design

Plastic containers

Gas storage

Internal Gas storage up to 20 m³ (large)

Internal Gas storage drum size (small)

Internal eventually external plastic bags

Internal Gas storage drum sizes (small)

Gas pressure

Between 60 and 120 mbar

Upto 20 mbar

Low, around 2 mbar

Low around 2mbar

Skills of contractor

High; masonry, plumbing

High; masonry, plumbing, welding

Medium; plumbing

Low; plumbing

Availability of Material

yes

yes

yes

yes

Durability

Very high >20 years

High; drum is weakness

Medium; Depending on chosen liner

Medium

Agitation

Self agitated by Biogas pressure

Manual steering

Not possible; plug flow type

Evtl Manual steering

Sizing

6 to 124 m³ digester vol

Up to 20 m³

Combination possible

Up to 6 m³ digester vol

Methane emission

High

Medium

Low

Medium


Balloon Plants

A balloon plant consists of a heat-sealed plastic or rubber bag (balloon), combining digester and gas-holder. The gas is stored in the upper part of the balloon. The inlet and outlet are attached directly to the skin of the balloon. Gas pressure can be increased by placing weights on the balloon. If the gas pressure exceeds a limit that the balloon can withstand, it may damage the skin. Therefore, safety valves are required. If higher gas pressures are needed, a gas pump is required. Since the material has to be weather- and UV resistant, specially stabilized, reinforced plastic or synthetic caoutchouc is given preference. Other materials which have been used successfully include RMP (red mud plastic), Trevira and butyl. The useful life-span does usually not exceed 2-5 years.


Advantages:

  • Standardized prefabrication at low cost,
  • low construction sophistication,
  • ease of transportation,
  • shallow installation suitable for use in areas with a high groundwater table;
  • high temperature digesters in warm climates;
  • uncomplicated cleaning,
  • emptying and maintenance;
  • difficult substrates like water hyacinths can be used

Balloon biogas plants are recommended, if local repair is or can be made possible and the cost advantage is substantial.


Disadvantages:

  • Low gas pressure may require gas pumps;
  • scum cannot be removed during operation;
  • the plastic balloon has a relatively short useful life-span and is susceptible to mechanical damage and usually not available locally. In addition, local craftsmen are rarely in a position to repair a damaged balloon. There is only little scope for the creation of local employment and, therefore, limited self-help potential.


Variations: A variation of the balloon plant is the channel-type digester, which is usually covered with plastic sheeting and a sunshade (fig.1-E). Balloon plants can be recommended wherever the balloon skin is not likely to be damaged and where the temperature is even and high.

Foil Plant
Plant types

►Go to Top

Further Information


References