Biogas plant for the production of biogas and digestate

Abstract

The invention relates to a biogas plant for the production of biogas and digestate. The biogas plant comprises a reservoir for producing digestate. The reservoir includes a comminution unit designed for comminuting material fed into the reservoir and a water supply interface designed for supplying water to the reservoir, thus enabling hydrolysis of the comminution material within the reservoir.

Description

[0001] The present disclosure generally relates to the field of biogas plants for producing biogas, in particular for supplying energy to, for example, a household. It particularly relates to a device and a method for producing biogas.

[0002] Biomass, especially organic waste, has an energy potential that is usually fully utilized in centralized recycling facilities. For this purpose, the organic waste is disposed of, for example, in a bio-waste bin, the contents of which are emptied by public or private waste disposal companies and transported to a central recycling facility, where the organic waste is used to generate energy, particularly gas.

[0003] Such central recycling plants are technically complex and designed for a throughput of at least 200 tons of organic waste per year.

[0004] Decentralized / small-scale biogas plants designed for a lower throughput of, say, less than or equal to 20 tons per year typically require significant operating effort and extensive knowledge of the fermentation process. Therefore, the current decentralized biogas plants are not suitable for mass production and are not suitable for use in private households.

[0005] An example of a small-scale biogas plant is disclosed in DE 10 2008 038 040 A1. The biogas plant is a complex, controlled system comprising a multitude of chambers and sensors. These sensors, together with a conversion process control system, enable control of the plant, particularly with regard to the parameters temperature, pressure, electrical conductivity, pH value, and gas evolution.

[0006] It has been shown that for mass application, a biogas plant with a simple structure that offers automated and safe operation is desirable.

[0007] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a compact biogas plant and a method for producing biogas and fermentation product that improves or even eliminates one or more of the aforementioned disadvantages. In particular, it is an object of the present invention to provide a compact biogas plant that can preferably be operated automatically and connected to an existing energy supply, for example, a household.

[0008] According to a first aspect, a biogas plant for producing biogas and fermentation product is provided. The biogas plant comprises a reservoir for producing a fermentation substrate. The reservoir comprises a comminution unit configured to comminute material supplied to the reservoir and a water line interface configured to provide a water supply to the reservoir, thus enabling hydrolysis of the comminuted material within the reservoir.

[0009] Hydrolysis within the reservoir enables a particularly compact design of the biogas plant.

[0010] The supplied material can comprise biomass, in particular organic waste such as grass clippings, leaves, and food scraps. The reservoir can comprise a lock designed to receive the material to be supplied and discharge it into the reservoir. The shredding unit can be designed to shut off automatically when the lock is opened for filling with material. Alternatively, the lock can comprise an automatic closure unit linked to the shredding unit such that the lock can only be opened when the shredding unit is switched off and / or the shredding unit can only be started when the lock is closed. Thus, the lock can ensure a safe supply of material to the reservoir. The lock can further comprise an exhaust air unit.The exhaust air unit can be designed to prevent gas from escaping from the reservoir, for example to reduce odor emissions when filling the biogas plant.

[0011] The water line interface can be designed to supply the water to the material optionally before, and / or during, and / or after the comminution process.

[0012] The comminution unit can further be designed to thoroughly mix the contents of the reservoir, in particular the water and the material. Through this thorough mixing, the water and the supplied material can form a particularly homogeneous fermentation substrate, such as a homogeneous mash.

[0013] The comminution unit can be designed with multiple stages. The comminution unit can comprise several comminution stages connected in series and / or in parallel. Each comminution stage can be designed for a different degree of comminution relative to the other comminution stages. Alternatively or additionally, the comminution unit can comprise or be at least one of a cutting unit, a friction unit, a pressure unit, and an impact unit. The comminution unit can comprise rotating blades and / or a press. Furthermore, a combination of multi-stage and / or different units of the aforementioned can be used to reliably and uniformly comminute a variety of different materials.

[0014] The reservoir may further comprise a phase separation unit. The phase separation unit may be configured to separate water from the reservoir. Water supplied via the water line and / or water released by comminution of the material may be separated from the produced fermentation substrate. In particular, by separating water from the fermentation substrate, i.e., by phase separation of the fermentation substrate, a fermentation substrate with an optionally predetermined consistency and / or a predetermined water content may be formed. In particular, the consistency and / or water content of the fermentation substrate is determined by a mixing ratio between the comminuted material and water.

[0015] The reservoir can be designed such that, particularly during operation of the biogas plant, an ambient pressure is maintained in the reservoir. In other words, the reservoir can be operated without pressurization, i.e., without excess pressure. The reservoir can also be designed to have a volume of up to 120 liters. The reservoir can be designed to be operable at a temperature of greater than or equal to 0 degrees Celsius, preferably greater than or equal to 5 degrees Celsius, during operation of the biogas plant.

[0016] The biogas plant can further comprise a reactor connected to the reservoir via a fermentation substrate line. The reactor can be gas-tight, so that the contents of the reactor are anaerobic, particularly during operation of the biogas plant. The reactor can be heatable. In particular, an operating temperature of the reactor can be selectively adjustable via heating. The reactor can comprise a heating device for heating. The heating device of the reactor can comprise one or more electrical heating elements and / or one or more liquid heat exchangers, which can be connected to an existing heating circuit. Preferably, when heating via hot water, biogas generated by the biogas plant itself can be used as the energy source to generate the hot water. The reactor can comprise at least partial, in particular complete, insulation, which is preferably designed for thermal insulation of the reactor.

[0017] The reactor can further comprise a volume of 100 liters to 1000 liters, preferably 750 liters. Alternatively or additionally, the reactor can comprise several reactor modules. The modules can be detachably connected to one another, in particular to allow the reactor capacity to be adjusted as needed. The reactor can further be designed to operate at a temperature between 20 and 60 degrees Celsius, in particular between 25 and 40 degrees Celsius, in the reactor during operation of the biogas plant.

[0018] The reactor may further comprise a reactor maintenance outlet. The reactor maintenance outlet may be configured to remove sediment from the reactor. The sediment may, for example, be removed from the reactor automatically or manually through the reactor maintenance outlet. In particular, the sediment may be removed from the reactor at regular intervals or based on a fill level signal. In particular, the sediment may be washed out. Alternatively or additionally, the reactor maintenance outlet may comprise a lock. The lock may be configured to sweep out the sediment.

[0019] Furthermore, the biogas plant can comprise a conveying unit. The conveying unit can be designed to convey the fermentation substrate, in particular in an automated manner, from the reservoir via the fermentation substrate line to the reactor. The conveying unit can further comprise one or more heating elements designed to heat the fermentation substrate.

[0020] Additionally or alternatively, the fermentation substrate line can be designed to be heatable. In particular, the fermentation substrate temperature can be adjusted to a temperature prevailing in the reactor by the conveying unit and / or the fermentation substrate line.

[0021] The conveying unit can further be designed to mix the contents of the reservoir and / or the reactor, in particular the fermentation substrate.

[0022] Additionally or alternatively, the reactor may comprise a mixing unit for mixing its contents, in particular the fermentation substrate conveyed by the conveying unit. The mixing unit may comprise an air lift pump and / or a gas line.

[0023] The fermentation substrate line can further be arranged such that an inlet of the fermentation substrate line is located at a minimum height above a bottom of the reservoir. The minimum height can be between 5 cm and 50 cm, preferably between 10 cm and 20 cm, in particular 15 cm.

[0024] The minimum height can, for example, prevent the introduction of sediment into the digestate line and thus at least reduce the further transfer of sediment into the reactor. The sediment can, for example, be uncomminuted residues of the material fed into the reservoir. In particular, the material can include stones or other substances that cannot be converted into biogas and can settle in the reservoir.

[0025] The reservoir may further comprise a reservoir maintenance outlet. The reservoir maintenance outlet may be configured analogously to the reactor maintenance outlet as previously described.

[0026] The biogas plant may further comprise a gas storage device connected to the reactor. The gas storage device may be operable in a low-pressure range during operation of the biogas plant. The low-pressure range may comprise a pressure range typically used for gas lines, preferably up to an overpressure of 100 mbar relative to ambient pressure, particularly preferably up to an overpressure of 30 mbar relative to ambient pressure. Furthermore, the overpressure may be at least 20 mbar above ambient pressure during operation of the biogas plant. The gas storage device may comprise, for example, a gas bladder and / or a wet gasometer. The gas storage device may be equipped with a fill level sensor and / or a pressure sensor.

[0027] The gas storage can be designed to have a volume of up to 3000 liters.

[0028] In one variant, the gas storage device can further be designed to store the gas under higher pressure, in particular up to 10 bar. The biogas plant can further comprise a gas pump designed to compress the gas generated in the reactor and / or to transport the generated gas from the reactor into the gas storage device. Alternatively or additionally, at least one further gas storage device can be detachably connected to the reactor or the existing gas storage device. Thus, the possible storage capacity of the biogas plant can be adapted as required. The at least one further gas storage device can be designed for operation in the same pressure range as the existing gas storage device.Alternatively, the at least one further gas storage device can be designed for operation in a pressure range that differs from the pressure range of the already existing gas storage device; in particular, the at least one further gas storage device can be a pressure vessel that is designed for operation up to 800 bar.

[0029] During operation of the biogas plant, the reactor pressure within the reactor can be equal to the gas storage pressure. At the same pressure, the biogas can flow automatically from the reactor into the gas storage, for example, due to the relative spatial position of the gas storage to the reactor. For example, the gas storage can be located above the reactor.

[0030] The biogas plant may further comprise a gas line connecting the reactor to the gas storage tank, which is configured to rise at least in sections from the reactor to the gas storage tank. In other words, the gas line may comprise at least one non-horizontal section with two ends, with the end facing the gas storage tank being higher than the end facing the reactor. The line, which rises at least in sections, may be configured to return liquid, which may condense on the walls of the gas line when the gas rises, to the reactor.

[0031] In particular, the gas line can be designed for active and / or inactive cooling of a gas flowing along the gas line. Inactive / passive cooling can, for example, comprise cooling of the gas line by the ambient temperature, which can be lower than a reactor temperature. Active cooling can, for example, comprise water cooling. The cooling can promote condensation of liquid on the inner walls of the gas line.

[0032] Alternatively or additionally, the gas storage device may comprise at least one gas outlet, which may be connected to at least one condensate separator.

[0033] The at least one gas outlet can also be designed to connect the gas storage unit to an existing energy network, preferably to a household's energy network. The biogas plant can, for example, be connected to the energy network of a small household, such as a single-family home, or a large household, such as a hotel complex. The gas outlet can be connected to a gas pump.

[0034] The biogas plant may further comprise a control unit. The control unit may be configured to control the biogas plant, in particular the units comprised by the biogas plant. The control unit may be configured to control a time of gas consumption from a public energy grid and / or the gas, in particular biogas, produced by the biogas plant. The control unit may further be configured to control the heating of the reactor, in particular when the produced gas, in particular biogas, or other energy sources such as electricity from photovoltaic systems or a combination thereof, is used for heating.

[0035] The at least one gas outlet can further be connected to a purification unit. The purification unit can comprise at least one filter for processing the gas. The purification unit can, for example, comprise a gas filter for removing harmful substances such as H2S and / or a gas filter for removing further impurities from the produced gas. In particular, the purification unit can comprise at least one activated carbon filter and / or a particle filter. By using various filters, the quality of the produced gas can be increased to a predetermined degree of purity. Furthermore, the purification unit can comprise a gas volume flow meter. Alternatively, a purification unit and / or the purification unit can also be arranged between the reactor and the gas storage unit, so that already purified gas is stored in the gas storage unit.

[0036] The biogas plant may further comprise a digestate tank connected to the reactor via a digestate line for receiving the digestate from the reactor. The digestate tank may be operable at ambient pressure or in a low-pressure range during operation of the biogas plant, preferably up to an overpressure of 100 mbar relative to ambient pressure, particularly preferably up to an overpressure of 30 mbar relative to ambient pressure. In particular, the digestate tank may be designed to be operable in the same pressure range as the gas storage tank during operation of the biogas plant. The digestate tank may further be connected to the gas storage tank.

[0037] The fermentation product container can be designed to have a volume of up to 50 liters.

[0038] The fermentation product container can further be designed to be operable during operation of the biogas plant at a temperature of greater than or equal to 0 degrees Celsius, in particular 5 degrees Celsius.

[0039] An outlet of the fermentation substrate line can be arranged at a height above an outlet of the fermentation product line, in particular such that a predetermined maximum fermentation substrate level in the reactor is determined by the height of the outlet of the fermentation product line and the outlet of the fermentation substrate line is above the maximum fermentation substrate level.

[0040] Accordingly, the fermentation substrate line and the fermentation product line can be designed such that the fermentation product line runs entirely below the level of the fermentation substrate line outlet. Due to the relative arrangement of the fermentation product line and the fermentation product line outlet below the fermentation substrate line outlet, structural measures can prevent the fermentation substrate from accumulating above a maximum level and thus preventing the fermentation product from flowing back from the reactor into the fermentation substrate line outlet.

[0041] The digestate tank may further comprise a digestate outlet. The digestate outlet may comprise a drain outlet arranged at a height below the outlet of the digestate line to set a predetermined maximum digestate level in the digestate tank. In particular, a combination of this arrangement of the digestate outlet with the previously explained arrangement of the digestate line relative to the digestate substrate outlet ensures automated operation and a high level of safety during operation of the biogas plant. Furthermore, the structural measures ensure low-maintenance operation of the biogas plant.

[0042] The fermentation product outlet may further comprise a fermentation product removal outlet located at a height below the discharge outlet. The fermentation product outlet may, for example, be designed to at least partially return fermentation product to the reservoir. Recirculation can, for example, save water. Furthermore, the fermentation substrate can be inoculated by the recirculation to increase the efficiency of the fermentation.

[0043] Furthermore, the fermentation product outlet can be designed to separate the fermentation product into a solid portion and a liquid portion so that the portions can be discharged and / or removed individually.

[0044] The fermentation product tank may further comprise one or more pumps and / or a trickling basin designed to enrich the fermentation product with oxygen. In this variant, the fermentation product tank is not connected to the gas storage unit.

[0045] The fermentation product container can also be designed to be odor-tight and / or pressureless. Alternatively or additionally, the fermentation product container can include filters to suppress or at least reduce odor emissions.

[0046] The digestate line can comprise an inlet arranged at a predetermined height above a bottom of the reactor, in particular for removing low-reactivity digestate from the reactor. The biogas plant can preferably be designed to maintain a reactor fill level between two predetermined limits during operation, and particularly preferably substantially at one limit. The position of the low-reactivity product within the reactor can be determined, for example, via the reactor geometry and at least one of the predetermined limits for the reactor fill level.

[0047] The inlet of the fermentation product line can also be arranged below a height of the fermentation substrate outlet.

[0048] The biogas plant may further comprise one or more sensors for level / pressure / temperature monitoring in at least one of the reservoir, the reactor, the gas storage and the fermentation product container.

[0049] The biogas plant may further comprise an emergency flare. The biogas plant may be designed to be installed outdoors or indoors. If the biogas plant is installed indoors, the biogas plant may comprise a safety device. The safety device may be designed to ensure that no toxic gases enter the interior. To this end, the safety device may enclose the biogas plant hermetically and comprise an exhaust air unit designed to prevent the escape of toxic gases using forced ventilation and / or negative pressure measurement. In particular, the safety device may comprise a fan and / or chimney for forced ventilation.

[0050] According to a second aspect, a method for producing biogas in a previously described biogas plant is provided. The method comprises producing the fermentation substrate in the reservoir. Producing the fermentation substrate comprises feeding material into the reservoir, comminuting the supplied material, and introducing water into the reservoir, wherein the water is optionally added to the material during the comminution process. Furthermore, the method comprises conveying the produced fermentation substrate into the reactor.

[0051] The method may comprise at least one further of the following steps: preheating the fermentation substrate, heating the reactor, mixing the fermentation substrate, passing the produced biogas into a gas storage tank, cooling the gas line, passing the gas from the gas storage tank to a purification unit, feeding the produced and / or purified gas into a household energy network, passing the fermentation substrate from the reactor into a fermentation substrate tank, removing the fermentation product from the fermentation product tank, at least partially returning the fermentation product to the reservoir, treating the fermentation product with oxygen, at least partially removing the fermentation product, removing / removing a sediment in the reservoir.

[0052] Features of the biogas plant according to the first aspect can be implemented as process features of the process according to the second aspect and vice versa.

[0053] According to a third aspect, a computer program product is provided, comprising instructions that cause the biogas plant according to the first aspect to execute the method steps according to the second aspect. In particular, the control unit can be configured to control the biogas plant and / or the units comprised by the biogas plant in order to execute the method according to the second aspect.

[0054] Further advantages, details, and features of the solution described here will become apparent from the following detailed description of exemplary embodiments and the figures. They show: Fig. 1 shows a schematic embodiment of a biogas plant according to the invention, which is connected to an existing energy network of a consumer; Fig. 2 shows a further schematic embodiment of a biogas plant according to the invention; and Fig. Figure 3 shows a flow diagram schematically illustrating the process according to the invention for producing biogas and fermentation product.

[0055] Fig. 1 shows a schematic embodiment of a biogas plant 100 according to the invention. The biogas plant 100 comprises a reservoir 110. Material 112, in particular organic waste 112, from which biogas is to be generated, is fed to the reservoir 110. The material 112 is comminuted in the reservoir 110 via a multi-stage comminution unit with the comminution stages Z1 and Z2. The comminution stages Z1, Z2 in the example shown are designed in parallel. Alternatively, the comminution stages Z1, Z2 can also be designed in series. Alternatively, a combination of comminution stages arranged in series and in parallel can also be arranged in the reservoir 110. The comminuted material 112 is mixed with water to form a fermentation substrate, also known as mash. Sediments can be removed from the reservoir 110 via the reservoir maintenance outlet 111, for example by washing out the sediments.

[0056] The fermentation substrate is conveyed by means of a conveying unit 120, which comprises a substrate pump SP, via a fermentation substrate line 130 into a reactor 140 of the biogas plant 100. The fermentation substrate line 130 has an inlet in the reservoir 110 and an outlet in the reactor 140. The inlet is arranged lower than the outlet, so that the maximum fermentation substrate level in the reactor 140 is in particular above the fermentation substrate level in the reservoir 110. In a further variant, the inlet of the fermentation substrate line 130 can be arranged above the outlet of the fermentation substrate, in particular the reservoir can be arranged above the reactor (not in Fig. 1). To transport the fermentation substrate, the substrate pump SP must overcome the pressure Δp1 + Δp2, which depends at least on the height difference between the inlet and outlet of the fermentation substrate line 130, Δp1, as well as the pressure difference between the ambient pressure and the pressure in the reactor 140, Δp2. Other parameters for transporting the fermentation substrate, such as line and / or flow losses, can also be taken into account.

[0057] The fermentation substrate can be heated to a reactor temperature of preferably 25 to 40 degrees Celsius during transport into the reactor 140. Alternatively or additionally, the reactor 140 comprises a heating device designed to heat the reactor to the predetermined reactor temperature of preferably 25 to 40 degrees Celsius (not included in Fig. 1). The fermentation substrate reacts in reactor 140, producing both biogas and fermentation product as reaction products. Any sediment that has entered reactor 140 can be manually removed and / or automatically discharged via a reactor maintenance outlet 142.

[0058] The resulting biogas is transported via a gas line 150 to a gas storage unit 160. The produced biogas is then transported from the gas storage unit 160 to a purification unit 170. The purification unit 170 preferably comprises at least one of a particle filter, a gas pump, a condensate separator, an activated carbon filter, and a gas meter. From the purification unit 170, the purified biogas is fed into the consumer's energy grid for use.

[0059] The resulting fermentation product in the reactor 140 is conveyed via a fermentation product line 180 with a solids filter FF into a fermentation product container 190. In the solids filter FF, the fermentation product is separated into a solids portion and a liquid portion. The solids portion can be removed manually or automatically separately from the liquid portion. The fermentation product line 180 comprises an inlet arranged at a predetermined height above a floor of the reactor 140. As already explained above, such an arrangement of the inlet allows for the targeted removal of a low-reactive fermentation product from the reactor 140. In particular, the fermentation product has layers of varying reactivity, the positions of which in the reactor are determined based on the reactor dimensions and optional mixing by, for example, the conveying unit 120 or an air-lift pump.

[0060] The fermentation product container 190 comprises an outlet with a drain outlet 192. The drain outlet 192 is at a height Δh A from the bottom of the fermentation product container 190 and leads, for example, into a sewer. The height Δh A is less than the height at which an outlet of the fermentation product line 180 is arranged in the fermentation product container 190. Furthermore, the outlet of the fermentation product line 180 in the fermentation product container 190 is arranged at a height that corresponds at most to the height at which an outlet of the fermentation substrate line 130 is arranged in the reactor 140. Due to these relative height arrangements, a maximum fermentation substrate level in the reactor 140 is structurally determined. This ensures safe and automatic operation of the reactor 140.

[0061] The Fig. The outlet of the fermentation product container 190 shown in Figure 1 further comprises a fermentation product removal outlet 194. From the fermentation product removal outlet 194, for example, the liquid portion of the fermentation product can be removed and / or at least partially returned to the reservoir 110. The fermentation product removal outlet 194 is at a height Δh D which is less than the height Δh A of the drain outlet 192.

[0062] In a preferred embodiment, the reservoir 110, the reactor 140, and the fermentation product container 190 are arranged horizontally next to one another, with the bottoms of the respective containers preferably arranged at the same height h0. The gas storage container 160 is preferably arranged at a height above the reactor 140. Alternatively, the bottoms can also be arranged at different heights. For example, the reservoir 110 can be arranged entirely above the reactor 140.

[0063] Fig. 2 shows a further biogas plant 100 according to the invention. The biogas plant 100 comprises several subsystems 210, 220, 230, 240, 250.

[0064] The first subsystem 210 comprises a reservoir 110, a comminution unit, and a conveying unit 120. The reservoir 110 can optionally comprise a lock 212. The lock 212 enables a safe supply of material 112 into the reservoir 110. For example, the comminution unit can be automatically shut off when the lock 212 is opened to fill it with material 112.

[0065] At least material, in particular organic waste, and water are fed to the first subsystem 210. The first subsystem 210 produces a fermentation substrate, in particular a mash, from the supplied material and water and transports the fermentation substrate to the second subsystem 220. The density and consistency of the fermentation product can be controlled, for example, by separating water using a phase separation unit.

[0066] The second subsystem 220 comprises a plurality of reactor modules 140, wherein the number of reactor modules 140 after the first module 140 is variable and can be detachably integrated into the biogas plant, for example, to adapt to a required reactor size. The illustrated reactor modules 140 are connected in series to one another and each to a gas storage tank 160. The first and third reactor modules 140 are further connected to a fermentation product tank 190. The connections shown for the individual reactor modules are exemplary. The biogas plant 100 can be designed in various variants, including a wide variety of connection variants between the reactor modules 140, the gas storage tank 160, and the fermentation product tank 190. For example, all reactor modules 140 are arranged in series, and only the last reactor module 140 arranged in series is connected to the gas storage tank 160 and the fermentation product tank 190.Alternatively, the reactor modules 140 can be arranged in parallel. Each of the reactor modules 140 can be connected to the gas storage 160 and the digestate container 190. The second subsystem 220 is designed to convert the fermentation substrate into biogas and digestate. The biogas and digestate are actively or passively transported to the other subsystems.

[0067] The Fig. The biogas plant 100 shown in Figure 2 differs from the one shown in Fig. 1 further comprises a dosing unit 230. The dosing unit 230 is designed to supply nutrient solution to at least one of the reactor modules 140. Supplying nutrient solution improves the conversion of the fermentation substrate in at least one of the reactor modules 140. In the variant shown, the nutrient solution is automatically supplied to one of the reactor modules 140 by the dosing unit 230. The dosing unit 230 is optional. Alternatively, the conversion can also be carried out without nutrient solution, or the nutrient solution can be supplied manually.

[0068] The third subsystem 240 comprises at least one / the gas storage device 160, 242. The third subsystem 240 can comprise a low-pressure gas storage device 160, such as a gas bladder. Alternatively or additionally, the third subsystem 240 can comprise a high-pressure gas storage device 242. The low-pressure gas storage device 160 and the high-pressure gas storage device 242 can be connected to each other via a gas pump. At least one of the gas storage devices 160, 242 can further be connected to a consumer's energy network. In particular, the gas storage device 160 and / or the gas storage device 242 can be connected to a water heater, a boiler, a cooktop, a heater, and / or to gas cartridges of the consumer.

[0069] The fourth subsystem 250 of the Fig. The biogas plant 100 shown in Figure 2 comprises a control unit 252. The control unit 252 is designed to control the use of the generated biogas in coordination with an existing energy grid to which the biogas plant is connected. In other words, the control unit 252 is responsible for resource management of the biogas plant and the energy grid, in particular gas management and / or water management and / or electricity management. The control unit 252 can be designed to coordinate the operation of the biogas plant 100 with other electricity generators, such as a photovoltaic system and / or energy generators, such as a solar thermal system. Furthermore, the control unit 252 can be designed to coordinate the operation of the biogas plant 100 with an existing gas circuit and / or water circuit.In particular, the control unit 252 can be configured to control heating of at least one reactor module 140 and / or the conveyor unit 120. For automatic control, the control unit 252 can be connected to one or more sensors for level / pressure / temperature monitoring in at least one of the reservoir 110, at least one of the reactor modules 140, one of the gas storage units 160, 242, and the fermentation product container 190.

[0070] The fifth subsystem 260 comprises at least one / the fermentation product tank 190. The fermentation product can be at least partially returned to the reservoir 110. Alternatively or additionally, the fermentation product can be at least partially discharged into a sewer system or discharged for use on agricultural land. The fermentation product tank 190 can optionally be connected to a post-treatment facility in which the fermentation product can be processed before further use and / or disposal.

[0071] Fig. Figure 3 shows a flow diagram schematically illustrating the method 300 according to the invention for producing biogas and fermentation product. The method 300 comprises, in particular, a first step 310 for producing the fermentation substrate within the reservoir 110 and a second step 320 for conveying the fermentation substrate from the reservoir 110 into the reactor 140. The production 310 of the fermentation substrate comprises feeding material 112 into the reservoir 110, comminuting the supplied material 112, and introducing water into the reservoir 110. The water can optionally be added to the material 112 during the comminution process.

[0072] The method 300 may further comprise all processing steps associated with the Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 are described. REFERENCE SYMBOL 100 biogas plants 110 Reservoir 111 Reservoir maintenance outlet 112 organic waste 120 conveyor unit 130 Fermentation substrate line 140 reactor / reactor module 142 Reactor maintenance outlet 150 gas pipeline 160 gas storage facilities 170 cleaning unit 180 fermentation product line 190 fermentation product containers 192 Drain outlet 194 Digestate outlet 210 Subsystem 1, TS1 212 Lock 220 Subsystem 2, TS2 230 Dosing Unit 240 Subsystem 3, TS3 242 high-pressure gas storage facilities 250 Subsystem 4, TS4 252 Control unit 260 Subsystem 5, TS5 300 processes for biogas production 310 Creating a fermentation substrate in the reservoir 320 Transferring the fermentation substrate from the reservoir to the reactor QUOTES CONTAINED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents submitted by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the convenience of the reader. This list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] DE 10 2008 038 040 A1

[0005]

Claims

[1] Biogas plant (100) for producing biogas and fermentation product, comprising: - a reservoir (110) for producing a fermentation substrate, the reservoir (110) comprising: - a comminution unit designed to comminute material supplied to the reservoir (110); - a water line interface configured to provide a water supply into the reservoir (110) so as to enable hydrolysis of the comminuted material within the reservoir (110). [2] Biogas plant (100) according to claim 1, wherein the comminution unit is further configured to mix a content of the reservoir (110). [3] Biogas plant (100) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the comminution unit is designed in several stages; and / or comprises at least one of a cutting unit, a friction unit, a pressure unit and an impact unit. [4] Biogas plant (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the reservoir (110) further comprises a phase separation unit configured to separate water from the reservoir (110). [5] Biogas plant (100) according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising: - a reactor (140) connected to the reservoir (110) via a fermentation substrate line (130); and - a conveying unit (120) which is designed to convey the fermentation substrate, in particular in an automated manner, from the reservoir (110) via the fermentation substrate line (130) to the reactor (140). [6] Biogas plant (100) according to claim 5, wherein an inlet of the fermentation substrate line (130) is arranged at a minimum height above a bottom of the reservoir (110) in order to avoid introduction of sediments into the fermentation substrate line (130). [7] Biogas plant (100) according to claim 5 or 6, further comprising: - a gas storage device (160) connected to the reactor (140), wherein the gas storage device can be operated in a low-pressure range during operation of the biogas plant (100), preferably up to an overpressure of 100 mbar compared to ambient pressure, particularly preferably up to an overpressure of 30 mbar compared to ambient pressure. [8] Biogas plant (100) according to one of claims 5 to 7, wherein the reactor comprises insulation and / or a heating device, wherein the heating device optionally comprises at least one electrical heating element and / or at least one liquid heat exchanger. [9] Biogas plant (100) according to claim 7 or 8, further comprising: - a gas line (150) connecting the reactor (140) to the gas storage (160), which is designed to rise at least in sections from the reactor (140) to the gas storage (160). [10] Biogas plant (100) according to claim 9, wherein the gas line (150) is designed for active and / or inactive cooling of a gas flowing along the gas line (150). [11] Biogas plant (100) according to one of claims 7 to 10, further comprising: - at least one gas outlet for connecting the gas storage unit to an existing energy network, preferably to a household energy network, wherein, optionally, the gas outlet is connected to a gas pump. [12] Biogas plant (100) according to one of claims 5 to 11, further comprising: - a fermentation product container (190) connected to the reactor (140) via a fermentation product line (180) for receiving the fermentation product from the reactor (140), wherein the fermentation product container (190) can be operated at an ambient pressure or in a low-pressure range during operation of the biogas plant (100), preferably up to an overpressure of 100 mbar compared to an ambient pressure, particularly preferably up to an overpressure of 30 mbar compared to the ambient pressure. [13] Biogas plant (100) according to claim 12, wherein an outlet of the fermentation substrate line (130) is arranged at a height above an outlet of the fermentation product line (180), in particular such that a predetermined maximum fermentation substrate level in the reactor (140) is determined by the height of the outlet of the fermentation product line (180) and the outlet of the fermentation substrate line (130) is above the maximum fermentation substrate level. [14] Biogas plant (100) according to claim 12 or 13, wherein the fermentation product container (190) comprises a fermentation product outlet, and wherein the fermentation product outlet comprises: - a drain outlet (192) arranged at a height below the outlet of the fermentation product line (180) for setting a predetermined maximum fermentation product level in the fermentation product container (190); and, optionally, - a fermentation product removal outlet (194) arranged at a height below the discharge outlet (192). [15] Biogas plant (100) according to one of claims 12 to 14, wherein the fermentation product line (180) comprises an inlet arranged at a predetermined height above a bottom of the reactor (140), in particular in such a way as to discharge low-reactive fermentation product from the reactor (140). [16] Method (300) for producing biogas and fermentation product in a biogas plant (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the method (300) comprises: - producing (310) the fermentation substrate in the reservoir (110), comprising: - feeding material into the reservoir (110); - Crushing the supplied material; - introducing water into the reservoir (110), wherein the water is optionally added to the material during the comminution process; - Transporting (320) the produced fermentation substrate into the reactor (140). [17] Computer program product comprising instructions causing the biogas plant (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 15 to carry out the method steps according to claim 16.

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