A device for detecting the anaerobic biodegradability of plastics
By combining a degradation reaction unit, a reflux condenser, and a gas analysis unit, the problems of inaccurate gas measurement and uneven reaction in high-temperature anaerobic biodegradation are solved, achieving efficient and accurate biogas volume measurement and stable gas production efficiency.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- NANO & ADVANCED MATERIALS INST
- Filing Date
- 2025-07-25
- Publication Date
- 2026-07-31
AI Technical Summary
During high-temperature anaerobic biodegradation, the increased water vapor content in the gaseous products leads to inaccurate biogas volume measurement, and excessive evaporation of moisture from the reactant surface affects reaction uniformity and gas production efficiency.
The device employs a combination of a degradation reaction unit, a reflux condenser, and a gas analysis unit. By condensing the gaseous products of the reaction and refluxing the liquid water back into the reactants, it ensures that no water is lost during the water cycle. Combined with a gas metering unit, it performs accurate measurements.
It enables stable anaerobic biodegradation reactions at medium or high temperatures for extended periods, ensuring accurate biogas volume measurement, preventing changes in reactant viscosity, and promoting uniformity and efficient gas production in microbial reactions.
Smart Images

Figure CN224581550U_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This utility model relates to a biodegradability testing device, specifically a device for testing the anaerobic biodegradability of plastics. Background Technology
[0002] The degree of biodegradation of traditional or biodegradable plastics under anaerobic conditions is an important indicator for assessing the biodegradability of plastics. Organic materials such as plastics are degraded by microorganisms under anaerobic conditions, generating biogas (mainly composed of methane and carbon dioxide). The method for determining anaerobic biodegradability involves accurately measuring the volume of biogas generated during the degradation process using a gas measuring device. The theoretical biogas production is then calculated using the measured total volume of biogas and the theoretical carbon content of the plastic, thus determining the degree of biodegradability of the test material.
[0003] Temperature is one of the main factors affecting the performance and efficiency of anaerobic biodegradation. Most industrial applications utilize mesophilic (30-40°C) anaerobic biodegradation, while hyperthermic (50-60°C) anaerobic biodegradation has received increasing attention in recent years. Hyperthermic anaerobic biodegradation offers higher biomethane yields, faster reaction rates, higher organic matter reduction rates, and shorter retention times. However, as the reaction temperature increases, the water vapor content in the gaseous products also increases, potentially leading to inaccurate biogas volume measurements. Furthermore, excessive evaporation of surface moisture from the reactants can cause uneven microbial degradation, excessively high reactant viscosity, and even hardening of the reactants, all of which negatively impact biogas production efficiency. Utility Model Content
[0004] To address the aforementioned problems, this invention provides a device for detecting the anaerobic biodegradation performance of plastics. This device not only has the advantages of simple operation, good stability, and high accuracy in biogas volume measurement, but also ensures that the moisture contained in the reactants is continuously circulated without loss, enabling the anaerobic biodegradation reaction to proceed for a long time at medium or high temperatures.
[0005] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention adopts the following technical solution:
[0006] This utility model provides a device for detecting the anaerobic biodegradability of plastics, comprising: A degradation reaction unit is used to contain reactants, carry out anaerobic biodegradation, and generate the first gaseous product; A reflux condenser is used to collect and condense the first gaseous product generated by the degradation reaction unit. The condensed first gaseous product is separated into a liquid water and a second gaseous product. The liquid water is refluxed back into the reactants of the degradation reaction unit to prevent the loss of moisture from the reactants. A gas analysis unit, connected to the reflux condenser, is used to collect and measure the individual components and content of the second gaseous product; and A gas metering unit, connected to the gas analysis unit, is used to collect and measure the gas volume of the second gas product.
[0007] In a preferred embodiment, the degradation reaction unit includes at least one anaerobic reactor and at least one thermostat, wherein the thermostat is used to control the anaerobic reactor to carry out the anaerobic biodegradation reaction within a specific temperature range.
[0008] A preferred embodiment is that the thermostat includes a water bath, a water circulator, or a convection furnace.
[0009] A preferred embodiment is that the anaerobic reactor comprises: an entity; A top cover, which is hermetically connected to the main body, has a first opening for connecting to the reflux condenser. The first gaseous product generated by the degradation reaction unit is transported to the reflux condenser through the first opening. A jacket covers the outside of the main body and is connected to a constant temperature controller.
[0010] A preferred embodiment is that the top cover has a second opening for housing a top stirrer suitable for an airtight system. The top stirrer has stirring blades suitable for reactants with high solids content to release gaseous products trapped in the reactants and prevent insufficient measurement volume of gaseous products.
[0011] A preferred embodiment is that the top cover has a third opening for connecting a pressure relief valve to prevent excessive gaseous products from causing excessive pressure inside the anaerobic reactor.
[0012] In a preferred embodiment, the gas inlet of the gas analysis unit is connected to the reflux condenser via a pipeline; and the gas inlet of the gas metering unit is connected to the gas analysis unit via a pipeline.
[0013] In a preferred embodiment, the outlet of the gas metering unit is connected to a gas collection bag or a vacuum pump via a pipeline.
[0014] A preferred embodiment is that the water content of the second gaseous product is less than the water content of the first gaseous product.
[0015] The beneficial effects of this utility model are as follows:
[0016] This invention, through the coordinated use of a degradation reaction unit, a reflux condenser, a gas analysis unit, and a gas metering unit, removes water vapor from the degradation reaction gaseous products, thus achieving accurate measurement of biogas volume. Furthermore, the condensed liquid water is returned to the reactants in the degradation reaction unit, preventing excessive evaporation of surface moisture, reducing reactant viscosity to decrease energy consumption by the stirrer, promoting uniform microbial degradation, and stabilizing long-term gas production efficiency. This invention not only boasts advantages such as simple operation, high stability, and accurate biogas volume measurement, but also ensures continuous circulation of moisture in the reactants without loss, enabling anaerobic biodegradation reactions to proceed for extended periods at mesophilic or hyperthermic temperatures. Attached Figure Description
[0017] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of an embodiment of the present utility model.
[0018] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram showing the detailed structure of the anaerobic reactor and the connection of other components according to an embodiment of the present invention. Detailed Implementation
[0019] Various exemplary embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that, unless otherwise specifically stated, the relative arrangement, numerical expressions, and values of the components and steps set forth in these embodiments do not limit the scope of the present invention.
[0020] The following description of at least one exemplary embodiment is merely illustrative and is in no way intended to limit the invention or its application or use.
[0021] Technologies and equipment known to those skilled in the art may not be discussed in detail, but where appropriate, such technologies and equipment should be considered part of the specification.
[0022] In all the examples shown and discussed herein, any specific values should be interpreted as merely exemplary and not as limitations. Therefore, other examples of exemplary embodiments may have different values.
[0023] It should be noted that similar labels and letters in the following figures indicate similar items; therefore, once an item is defined in one figure, it does not need to be discussed further in subsequent figures.
[0024] This invention provides a device for detecting the anaerobic biodegradability of plastics, such as... Figure 1As shown, the device for detecting the anaerobic biodegradation performance of plastics specifically includes a degradation reaction unit, a reflux condenser 2, a gas analysis unit 3, and a gas metering unit 4 connected in sequence. The degradation reaction unit is used to contain reactants, perform anaerobic biodegradation, and generate a first vapor product. The reflux condenser 2 is used to collect and condense the first vapor product generated by the degradation reaction unit. The condensed first vapor product is separated into a liquid water and a second vapor product, wherein the liquid water is returned to the reactants in the degradation reaction unit to prevent moisture loss from the reactants. The gas analysis unit 3 is connected to the reflux condenser 2 and is used to collect and measure the individual components and content of the second vapor product; the gas metering unit 4 is connected to the gas analysis unit 3 and is used to collect and measure the gas volume of the second vapor product. In a preferred embodiment, the water content of the second vapor product is less than the water content of the first vapor product.
[0025] In one specific embodiment, such as Figure 1 As shown, the degradation reaction unit includes at least one anaerobic reactor 1 and at least one thermostat (not shown), wherein the thermostat is used to control the anaerobic reactor to carry out the anaerobic biodegradation reaction within a specific temperature range. The thermostat can be a water bath, a water circulator, or a convection furnace.
[0026] In one specific embodiment, in conjunction with the appendix Figure 1 and 2 As shown, the anaerobic reactor 1 includes: a top cover 11, a body 12, and a jacket 13. The top cover 11 and the body 12 are airtightly connected. The top cover 11 has a first opening 111 for connecting to the reflux condenser 2. The first gaseous product generated by the degradation reaction unit is transported to the reflux condenser 2 through the first opening 111. The jacket 13 covers the exterior of the body 12 and is connected to a thermostat. In a preferred embodiment, the outlet of the anaerobic reactor 1 is directly connected to the inlet of the reflux condenser 2 through the first opening 111, without a pipeline connection. The reflux condenser 2 is directly mounted on top of the anaerobic reactor 1, using gravity to guide the condensed liquid water back to the reactants in the anaerobic reactor 1. Gravity reflux is simple to operate, eliminates the need for a reflux pump, and thus saves power consumption.
[0027] Furthermore, the top cover 11 has a second opening 112 for housing a top stirrer 7 suitable for an airtight system. The top stirrer 7 has stirring blades suitable for reactants with high solids content to release trapped gaseous products in the reactants and prevent undermeasurement of gaseous products. Even further, the top cover has a third opening 113 for connecting a pressure relief valve 8 to prevent excessive generation of gaseous products from causing excessive pressure inside the anaerobic reactor 1.
[0028] In one specific embodiment, the gas inlet of the gas analysis unit 3 is connected to the reflux condenser 2 via a first pipe 61; the gas inlet of the gas metering unit 4 is connected to the gas analysis unit 3 via a second pipe 62; and the gas outlet of the gas metering unit 4 is connected to the gas collection bag 5 or a vacuum pump via a third pipe 63.
[0029] Obviously, the above embodiments of this utility model are merely examples for clearly illustrating this utility model, and are not intended to limit the implementation of this utility model. For those skilled in the art, other variations or modifications can be made based on the above description. It is impossible to exhaustively list all the implementation methods here. All obvious variations or modifications derived from the technical solutions of this utility model are still within the protection scope of this utility model.
Claims
1. An apparatus for detecting the anaerobic biodegradability of plastics, comprising: A degradation reaction unit is used to contain reactants, carry out anaerobic biodegradation, and generate the first gaseous product; A reflux condenser is used to collect and condense the first gaseous product generated by the degradation reaction unit. The condensed first gaseous product is separated into a liquid water and a second gaseous product. The liquid water is refluxed back into the reactants of the degradation reaction unit to prevent the loss of moisture from the reactants. A gas analysis unit, connected to the reflux condenser, is used to collect and measure the individual components and content of the second gaseous product; and A gas metering unit, connected to the gas analysis unit, is used to collect and measure the gas volume of the second gas product.
2. The device for detecting the anaerobic biodegradability of plastics as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The degradation reaction unit includes at least one anaerobic reactor and at least one thermostat, wherein the thermostat is used to control the anaerobic reactor to carry out the anaerobic biodegradation reaction within a specific temperature range.
3. The device for detecting the anaerobic biodegradability of plastics as described in claim 2, characterized in that, The thermostat includes a water bath, a water circulator, or a convection furnace.
4. The device for detecting the anaerobic biodegradability of plastics as described in claim 2, characterized in that, The anaerobic reactor includes: an entity; A top cover, which is hermetically connected to the main body, has a first opening for connecting to the reflux condenser. The first gaseous product generated by the degradation reaction unit is transported to the reflux condenser through the first opening. A jacket covers the outside of the body and is connected to the temperature controller.
5. The apparatus for detecting the anaerobic biodegradability of plastics as described in claim 4, characterized in that, The top cover has a second opening for housing a top stirrer suitable for an airtight system. The top stirrer has stirring blades suitable for reactants with high solids content to release trapped gaseous products in the reactants and prevent insufficient measurement volume of gaseous products.
6. The apparatus for detecting the anaerobic biodegradability of plastics as described in claim 4, characterized in that, The top cover has a third opening for connecting a pressure relief valve to prevent excessive gaseous products from causing excessive pressure inside the anaerobic reactor.
7. The apparatus for detecting the anaerobic biodegradability of plastics as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The gas inlet of the gas analysis unit is connected to the reflux condenser via a pipeline; the gas inlet of the gas metering unit is connected to the gas analysis unit via a pipeline.
8. The apparatus for detecting the anaerobic biodegradability of plastics as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The outlet of the gas metering unit is connected to a gas collection bag or a vacuum pump via a pipeline.
9. The apparatus for detecting the anaerobic biodegradability of plastics as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The water content of the second gaseous product is less than that of the first gaseous product.