Variable-Volume Biogas Buffering for Stable On-Demand Utilization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for biogas production and utilization from organic waste are inefficient and lack environmental sustainability, leading to waste management challenges and resource inefficiencies.
Innovation Solution
A biogas production and buffered utilization system comprising an anaerobic digestor, feeder sub-assembly, utilization module, and intermittent gas accumulation module, utilizing a variable volume gas reservoir and controlled biogas delivery to gas consumer elements, with a controller managing the process to optimize biogas use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a fixed-volume biogas storage tank is used, then the storage capacity is stable and predictable, but the system cannot adapt to variable biogas production rates and demand, leading to energy loss or insufficient supply
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a dynamic storage system where the gas reservoir's volume changes in response to biogas production. The flexible membrane and adjustable piston allow the storage capacity to dynamically adapt to variable biogas generation rates, resolving the contradiction between adaptability and system complexity by using simple mechanical components rather than complex control systems
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the volume parameter of the storage reservoir dynamically. By allowing the reservoir volume to vary based on biogas production levels, the system achieves adaptability without requiring complex electronic controls, thus maintaining simplicity while improving versatility
2Quantity of substance
If biogas is stored at high pressure to increase energy density, then the storage efficiency improves, but the safety risks and energy loss from leakage increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system utilizes the compressibility of gas phase biogas to achieve high storage density without the extreme pressures required for liquid storage. The flexible reservoir allows gradual compression while maintaining safety, and the phase transition capability enables the system to handle pressure variations without catastrophic failure
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible membrane acts as an intermediary between the biogas and the external environment, allowing controlled pressure management. This intermediary layer enables high storage density while preventing direct high-pressure contact with the surroundings, thus reducing leakage risks and safety hazards
3Duration of action of moving object
If continuous biogas utilization is implemented, then the energy supply is uninterrupted, but the system cannot handle production fluctuations, leading to waste or shortage
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary storage of biogas in the flexible reservoir before utilization occurs. This preliminary accumulation allows the system to buffer production fluctuations and ensure continuous supply, as the stored biogas can be drawn upon when production is low or demand is high
Solution Approach 2:
The dynamic volume adjustment of the reservoir allows the system to continuously adapt to fluctuating production rates. The flexible membrane and piston mechanism enable real-time volume changes, ensuring that the storage capacity matches current production levels, thereby maintaining both continuous supply and reliability
4Productivity
If a simple storage tank is used, then the device complexity is low, but the utilization efficiency and environmental sustainability are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The system integrates multiple functions into a single unified structure: storage, pressure regulation, and controlled delivery. The flexible reservoir with piston mechanism simultaneously performs volume adjustment and pressure management, achieving high utilization efficiency without proportionally increasing complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates feedback mechanisms where the biogas pressure and volume automatically regulate the reservoir expansion and contraction. This self-regulating feedback loop improves utilization efficiency by ensuring optimal pressure delivery without requiring complex external control systems
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system enhances biogas production efficiency and sustainability by optimizing biogas storage and utilization, reducing waste volume, and promoting environmentally friendly energy use.
Implementation Method 1
an intermittent gas accumulation module including: a variable volume gas reservoir, including an elongated pliant accordion shaped container, the variable volume gas reservoir is configured to assume an erected configuration, in which the variable volume gas reservoir is essentially filled with the biogas, and a collapsed configuration, in which variable volume gas reservoir is essentially depleted of the biogas
Implementation Method 2
a weight disposed on top of the variable volume gas reservoir, configured to exert a predetermined gravitational force onto the variable volume gas reservoir, thereby forming a substantially constant pressure
Implementation Method 3
an anaerobic digestor including: an essentially cylindrically shaped firm encasement, an inlet disposed at a bottom portion of the encasement, a gas outlet disposed at a top portion of the encasement, configured to duct a biogas, produced by essentially anaerobic digest processes in the digestor
Implementation Method 4
a grinder, operationally connected to the sink and to the inlet, configured to receive the organic waste from sink, to grind the organic waste and to feed ground organic waste into the inlet
Implementation Method 5
a utilization module operationally connected to the gas outlet, configured to receive the biogas from the gas outlet and to burn it upon demand, including: a controllable igniter, a gas consumer element, actuatable by the controllable igniter
Data Source
AI summary
An environmentally sustainable biogas production and buffered utilization system is described; a respective environmentally sustainable method of biogas production and buffered utilization is further described; the system comprises: an anaerobic digestor, a feeder sub-assembly operationally connected to the inlet, a utilization module operationally connected to the gas outlet, an intermittent gas accumulation module and a controller; the method comprises: providing a biogas production and buffered utilization system, filling the anaerobic digestor with liquids, buffering a produced biogas in the intermittent gas accumulation module, detecting by the sensor the variable volume gas reservoir in the erected configuration and controllably igniting the gas consumer element by the igniter.