Biogas Pressure Regulation via Intermediate Chamber Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing biogas plants face challenges in regulating gas pressures across connected gas storage tanks, leading to inefficient gas flow and quality, particularly due to the need for manual intervention and coarse pressure adjustments, which limits flexibility and precision in managing gas storage and transport.

Innovation Solution

A device and method that utilize gas accumulators with intermediate spaces, pressure measuring devices, and a control system to automatically regulate gas pressure by controlling gas supply and compressor output, ensuring pressures remain within predetermined limits and allowing for precise adjustments across multiple tanks.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If manual intervention with vent valves is used to adjust gas pressures, then pressure regulation is possible, but operational complexity and time consumption increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepressure regulation operationVSAvoidtime for pressure adjustment
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses automatic control devices that self-regulate gas pressures in storage tanks without requiring manual operator intervention. The control devices continuously monitor and adjust vent valve positions based on pressure sensor feedback, enabling the system to maintain optimal pressures autonomously.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

Pressure sensors continuously measure gas pressure in storage tanks and feed this information to control devices. The control devices use this feedback to automatically adjust vent valves, creating a closed-loop control system that responds dynamically to pressure changes without manual intervention.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Measurement precision

If weights are used to regulate vent flap pressure, then pressure control is achieved, but adjustment precision is insufficient for small differential pressures

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepressure adjustment precisionVSAvoidpressure control mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical weight-based pressure control with electronic control systems. Electronic actuators and control devices provide precise, adjustable pressure control through electrical signals rather than mechanical weights, enabling fine adjustments of vent valve positions for small differential pressures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The control system dynamically adjusts vent valve positions based on real-time pressure measurements and changing operating conditions. This dynamic control allows precise adaptation to small pressure differences and changing gas production rates, unlike static weight-based systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Stability of the object's composition

If the support air blower operates continuously to maintain dimensional stability of the weatherproofing membrane, then membrane stability is ensured, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveweatherproofing membrane stabilityVSAvoidsupport air blower energy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The support air blower operates periodically rather than continuously, turning on only when pressure drops below a threshold and turning off when pressure reaches the upper threshold. This periodic operation maintains membrane stability while significantly reducing energy consumption compared to continuous operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

Pressure sensors provide continuous feedback on the pressure within the weatherproofing membrane enclosure. This feedback enables the control system to activate the support air blower only when needed to maintain pressure within the optimal range, avoiding unnecessary continuous operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

4Volume of stationary object

If gas storage tanks are connected in series to increase storage capacity, then storage volume increases, but pressure regulation becomes more complex and gas flow control becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegas storage volumeVSAvoidpressure regulation system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of stationary objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system divides the gas storage into multiple independent tanks, each equipped with its own pressure control device. This segmentation allows each tank to be controlled independently, simplifying the overall pressure regulation system while enabling flexible gas flow management across the cascade of tanks.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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

This solution enables flexible, precise, and automatic gas pressure management, improving gas quality and allowing for efficient gas storage and transport, even in large cascade systems, with reduced energy consumption and enhanced maintenance capabilities.

Implementation Method 1

the gas storage film and the weatherproofing film are connected to the top of the digester in a gas-tight and force-fit manner. It is known to introduce air into the space between the gas storage film and the weatherproofing film using a support air blower. This ensures the dimensional stability of the weatherproofing membrane... Beneath the dimensionally stable weatherproofing membrane, the gas storage membrane can move freely up and down, thereby providing the gas storage volume

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGas pressure differential: Pressure Gradient

Implementation Method 2

introduce air into the space between the gas storage film and the weatherproofing film using a support air blower. This ensures the dimensional stability of the weatherproofing membrane... Weights are applied to the damper to regulate the back pressure of the outlet, thus generating the system pressure for the respective gas storage tank

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGas compression: Compression

Implementation Method 3

Thiobacilli convert H2S aerobically to sulfuric acid and elemental sulfur. The reaction equations are shown below: 1) H2S + 1⁄2 O2 → S + H2O 2) H2S + 2 O2 → H2SO4

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAerobic oxidation: Oxidation

Implementation Method 4

The fermentation pressure above the fermenting substance can be influenced by controlling the pressure in the space between the gas storage film and the weatherproofing film, with the gas storage film acting as a membrane

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGas pressure control: Pressure Gradient

Data Source

PatentEP2346982B2Device and method for regulating the gas supply or the gas transport in a gas storage system
Publication Date: 2019.03.13 MT ENERGIE SERVICE GMBH
  • EP2346982B2 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2346982B2 patent drawingFigure 2~3

AI summary

The invention relates to a device for regulating the gas supply in a gas storage system of a biogas plant, wherein the gas storage system has at least two gas stores which are connected in series in a cascaded fashion and which have in each case one intermediate chamber between a gas store diaphragm and a protective cover. The device comprises gas supply devices, intermediate chamber pressure measuring devices and at least one regulating device, wherein each gas store is assigned in each case at least one gas supply device, by means of which gas can be supplied to the intermediate chamber of the respective gas store, wherein each gas store is assigned in each case at least one intermediate chamber pressure measuring device, by means of which the gas pressure in the intermediate chamber of the respective gas store can be measured, and wherein the measured values of the intermediate chamber pressure measuring devices are transmitted to the at least one regulating device, and wherein the at least one regulating device is designed to regulate the gas pressure in the intermediate chambers of the gas stores, by actuating the gas supply devices assigned in each case to the gas stores, on the basis of the measured values of the intermediate chamber pressure measuring devices. The invention also relates to a corresponding method.