Collapsible Biogas Digester with Modular Scaffolding

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for recycling organic waste into biogas and fertilizer are not efficient in terms of space usage and product utilization, as they often require separate systems and lack portable, easy-to-deploy solutions for household or institutional applications.

Innovation Solution

A compact, assemblable system utilizing anaerobic digestion processes to convert organic waste into biogas and liquid fertilizer, featuring a pliable collapsible digester and structural scaffolding for easy deployment and maintenance, capable of producing both biogas and fertilizer in a standalone unit.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If traditional biogas production systems are used, then biogas and fertilizer can be produced from organic waste, but the systems are heavy, complex, and difficult to transport or relocate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of deployment and relocationVSAvoidweight of the system

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSWeight of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The system is divided into separate modular components including a collapsible digester made of flexible material, separate structural scaffolding, and independent gas storage containers. This segmentation allows each component to be lightweight and easily transportable while maintaining functional integrity when assembled.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The digester is designed with flexible, collapsible walls made of pliable material that can be compressed for transport and expanded for operation. The structural scaffolding can be disassembled and reconfigured, enabling the system to transition between static operational state and dynamic transport state.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Productivity

If separate systems are used for biogas production and fertilizer management, then each function can be optimized, but space requirements increase and system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespace utilization efficiencyVSAvoidsystem integration complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system combines biogas production and fertilizer management into a single integrated unit. The digester simultaneously produces biogas and generates liquid fertilizer as byproducts, which are collected in the same operational space. The structural scaffolding supports both functions, eliminating the need for separate systems and reducing overall space requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The digester structure serves multiple functions: it contains the anaerobic digestion process, collects biogas, and manages liquid fertilizer output. The structural scaffolding provides both mechanical support and serves as a framework for gas collection and liquid drainage systems, making the system multi-functional and reducing complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Reliability

If rigid, permanent structures are used for the digester, then structural integrity is maintained, but the system cannot be easily relocated or stored in compact form

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural integrity during operationVSAvoidportability and compact storage

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The digester is constructed from flexible, pliable material that forms a collapsible shell structure. This flexible material maintains structural integrity during operation through internal pressure from biogas production, but can be easily compressed and folded for transport or storage, eliminating the need for rigid permanent structures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The digester structure dynamically transitions between an expanded operational state where it maintains structural integrity through internal gas pressure, and a collapsed transport state where the flexible material is compressed to a compact form. This dynamic capability allows the system to satisfy both reliability and portability requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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 effectively recycles organic waste into usable biogas and fertilizer, reducing waste management needs and providing a sustainable, environmentally friendly solution for both domestic and institutional use, while being lightweight and easy to assemble/disassemble for transportation.

Implementation Method 1

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAnaerobic digestion: Anaerobic Digestion

Implementation Method 2

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS9688585B2Lightweight assemblable appliance and respective method for production of biogas and liquid fertilizer

Publication Date: 2017.06.27 HOMEBIOGAS LTD

AI summary

A system and method of recycling organic waste into biogas, implementing an anaerobic digestion processes, is disclosed. The system includes structural scaffolding and a pliable collapsible anaerobic digester. The aerobic digester includes at least one suspension tab, rendering the anaerobic digester suspendable from the structural scaffolding. A respective kit-of-parts is disclosed for assembling the aforementioned system.