Types of Gasholders for Biogas Plants

Overview

Depending on the need and the capacity, different types of biogas plants have different gasholders. Major types of the gasholders are summarized in this article.

Floating-drum Gasholders

Most floating-drum gas-holders are made of 2-4 mm thick sheet steel, with the sides made of thicker material than the top in order to compensate for the higher degree of corrosive attack. Structural stability is provided by L-bar bracing that also serves to break up surface scum when the drum is rotated. A guide frame stabilizes the gas drum and prevents it from tilting and rubbing against the masonry. The two equally suitable and most frequently used types are:

• an internal rod & pipe guide with a fixed (concrete-embedded) cross pole (an advantageous configuration in connection with an internal gas outlet);
• external guide frame supported on three wooden or steel legs.
  

For either design, substantial force can be necessary to rotate the drum, especially if it is stuck in a heavy layer of floating scum. Any gas-holder with a volume exceeding 5 m³ should be equipped with a double guide (internal and external). All grades of steel normally used for gas-holders are susceptible to moisture-induced rusting both in- and outside. Consequently, a long service life requires proper surface protection, including:

• thorough de-rusting and de-soiling
• primer coat of minimum 2 layers
• 2 or 3 cover coats of plastic or bituminous paint.
  

The cover coats should be reapplied annually. A well-kept metal gas-holder can be expected to last between 3 and 5 years in humid, salty air or 8-12 years in a dry climate. Materials regarded as suitable alternatives to standard grades of steel are galvanized sheet metal, plastics (glass-fiber reinforced plastic (GRP), plastic sheeting) and ferro-cement with a gas-tight lining. The gas-holders of water-jacket plants have a longer average service life, particularly when a film of used oil is poured on the water seal to provide impregnation.

Fixed-dome Gasholders

A fixed-dome gas-holder can be either the upper part of a hemispherical digester (CAMARTEC design) or a conical top of a cylindrical digester (e.g. Chinese fixed-dome plant). In a fixed-dome plant the gas collecting in the upper part of the dome displaces a corresponding volume of digested slurry.

The following aspects must be considered with regard to design and operation:

• An overflow into and out of the compensation tank must be provided to avoid over-filling of the plant.
• The gas outlet must be located about 10 cm higher than the overflow level to avoid plugging up of the gas pipe.
• A gas pressure of 1 m WC or more can develop inside the gas space. Consequently, the plant must be covered sufficiently with soil to provide an adequate counter-pressure.
• Special care must be taken to properly close the man hole, which may require to weigh down the lid with 100 kg or more. The safest method is to secure the lid with clamps.
  

The following structural measures are recommended to avoid cracks in the gas-holder:

• The foot of the dome (gas-holder) should be stabilized by letting the foundation slab project out enough to allow for an outer ring of mortar.
• A rated break/pivot ring should be provided at a point located between 1/2 and 2/3 of the minimum slurry level. This in order to limit the occurrence or propagation of cracks in the vicinity of the dome foot and to displace forces through its stiffening/articulating effect such that tensile forces are reduced around the gas space. Alternatively, the lowest point of the gas-holder should be reinforced by a steel ring or the whole gas-holder be reinforced with chicken mesh wire.
  

Normally, masonry, mortar and concrete are not gas-tight, with or without mortar additives. Gas-tightness can only be achieved through good, careful workmanship and special coatings. The main precondition is that masonry and plaster are strong and free of cracks. Cracked and sandy rendering must be removed. In most cases, a plant with cracked masonry must be dismantled, because not even the best seal coating can render cracks permanently gas-tight. Some tried and proven seal coats and plasters:

• multi-layer bitumen, applied cold (hot application poses the danger of injury by burns and smoke-poisoning; solvents cause dangerous/explosive vapors). Two to four thick coats required;
• bitumen with aluminum foil, thin sheets of overlapping aluminum foil applied to the still-sticky bitumen, followed by the next coat of bitumen;
• plastics, e.g. epoxy resin or acrylic paint; very good but expensive;
• paraffin, diluted with 2-5% kerosene, heated up to 100°C and applied to the preheated masonry, thus providing an effective (deep) seal. Use kerosene/gas torch to heat masonry.
• multi-layer cement plaster with water-proof elements

In any case, a pressure test must be carried out before the plant is put in service.

Plastic Gasholders

Gas-holders made of plastic sheeting serve as integrated gas-holders, as separate balloon/bag-type gas-holders and as integrated gas-transport/storage elements. For plastic (sheet) gas-holders, the structural details are of less immediate interest than the question of which materials can be used.

Separate Gasholders

Differentiation is made between:

• low-pressure, wet and dry gas-holders (10-50 mbar). Basically, these gas-holders are identical to integrated and/or plastic (sheet) gas-holders. Separate gas-holders cost more and are only worthwhile in case of substantial distances (at least 50-100 m) or to allow repair of a leaky fixed-dome plant. This type of separate gas-holder is also used to buffer extreme differences between gas-production and gas-use patterns.
• medium- or high-pressure gas-holders (8-10 bar / 200 bar)

Biogas plant with seperate gasholder in Nicaragua

Neither system can be considered for use in small-scale biogas plants. Even for large-scale plants, they cannot be recommended under the conditions in most developing countries. High-pressure gas storage in steel cylinders (as fuel for vehicles) is presently under discussion. While that approach is possible in theory, it would be complicated and, except in special cases, prohibitively expensive. It would also require the establishment of stringent safety regulations.

Further Information

• Biogas Portal on energypedia

References

This article is based on the publication GTZ: Biogas Digest Volume II: Biogas - Application and Product Development