Covered Anaerobic Digester with Sealed Membrane and Weighted Corners

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Solution Overview

Problem

Anaerobic digestion systems face challenges in operation and monitoring due to exposure to natural elements, leading to inefficiencies and increased greenhouse gas emissions, particularly from open-slurry lagoons which result in fugitive methane emissions and energy loss during aerobic composting of biomass.

Innovation Solution

A covered anaerobic digester system with a biomass storage container, a sealed cover, and weighted pleated corners to prevent flapping, integrated with thermal management, gas processing, and energy recovery systems, along with sensors for monitoring and water collection to minimize rainwater entry and detect leaks, while using semi-permeable membranes to manage methane and CO2.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If anaerobic digestion systems are exposed to natural elements (outdoors), then installation flexibility is improved, but operation and monitoring become difficult and methane emissions increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinstallation flexibilityVSAvoidoperation and monitoring capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a flexible membrane cover that can be deployed over existing slurry lagoons without requiring rigid structural infrastructure. This thin film barrier provides weather protection and enables remote monitoring capabilities while maintaining installation flexibility, resolving the contradiction between adaptability and reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

2Ease of manufacture

If open-slurry lagoons are used, then ease of construction is improved, but fugitive methane emissions and energy loss increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of constructionVSAvoidfugitive methane emissions

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The flexible membrane cover creates a sealed environment over the slurry lagoon, preventing methane escape while maintaining construction simplicity. The ease of deployment is preserved because the system requires no complex rigid structure installation, yet effectively captures and directs biogas for energy recovery.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The system converts the harmful fugitive methane emissions into a beneficial resource by capturing the biogas and directing it to heating elements that warm the slurry, improving digestion efficiency. This transforms the harmful emission problem into an energy recovery opportunity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

3Use of energy by moving object

If aerobic composting occurs naturally, then no additional energy input is needed, but energy loss and nitrogen loss increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy input requirementVSAvoidenergy loss during composting

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The system captures biogas that would otherwise be lost during natural aerobic composting and uses it as a heating source to maintain optimal slurry temperature for anaerobic digestion. This converts the energy loss into a useful heating function, eliminating the need for external energy input while preventing nitrogen loss through controlled anaerobic conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

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 the anaerobic digestion process, reduces fugitive methane emissions, increases energy recovery, and provides a concentrated digestate, minimizing nitrogen loss and greenhouse gas emissions, while allowing for remote monitoring and efficient energy utilization.

Implementation Method 1

the cover is sealed at an outer edge of the anaerobic digester to form a water (e.g., rainwater) collection region

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGravity: Gravitation

Implementation Method 2

membranes, such as an additional intermediate membrane, is selectively permeable between methane and CO2

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSelective permeability: Semipermeable Membrane

Implementation Method 3

Anaerobic digestion is a process that can be used to convert a wide range of biomass materials into useable gas, such as a gas comprising mostly methane and carbon dioxide (CO2)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAnaerobic digestion: Anaerobic Digestion

Data Source

PatentUS20230250374A1Systems and methods for anaerobic digestion

Publication Date: 2023.08.10 BENNAMANN SERVICES LTD

AI summary

An anaerobic digestion system is provided. The system includes a biomass storage container and a cover positioned over the biomass storage container, where the cover is sealed at an outer edge of the anaerobic digester. Weights may be arranged on the surface of the cover, and the sealed edges may form a water collection region. Additional systems, including thermal management, gas processing, energy storage and recovery, and sensing can also be included.