Digestate Demethanization via Aerobic Microbial Reactors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for managing methane digestate from agricultural wastes are inefficient in removing methane due to the small particle size of digestate solids, leading to continued methane emissions and environmental toxicity, and require costly and labor-intensive cleaning processes.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a reactor with agricultural commodities and microbial additives that react with the digestate to demethanize it, followed by separation into solids and liquids using sloped screen separators and screw presses, allowing for the production of usable products like dry animal feed and soil amendments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If conventional separators with screens are used to remove solids from digestate, then larger solids can be removed, but smaller particles slip through and continue to contain methane
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by transitioning from mechanical separation alone to a biochemical process that changes the chemical state of methane in digestate. Aerobic microorganisms convert methane into other compounds, fundamentally changing the parameter of methane concentration and form in the digestate, thereby resolving the issue of methane emissions from fine particles that pass through screens.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical separation system with a biochemical treatment system. Instead of relying on physical screens to separate particles, the invention uses aerobic microorganisms to biochemically transform and remove methane from the digestate, effectively substituting mechanical action with biological action to achieve methane removal.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If sinks are cleaned frequently to remove accumulated solids, then methane emissions are reduced, but labor costs and operational complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service by enabling the digestate to treat itself through in-situ aerobic digestion. The system introduces air and aerobic microorganisms directly into the digestate storage, allowing the digestate to spontaneously decompose and remove its own methane content without requiring external mechanical intervention or manual cleaning operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary action by treating the digestate with aerobic microorganisms before it accumulates significant methane or requires cleaning. The continuous aeration and biochemical treatment prevent methane buildup in advance, eliminating the need for subsequent cleaning operations.
3Manufacturing precision
If more screen separators are added to improve separation, then solid removal efficiency increases, but device complexity and maintenance requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical separator systems with a simpler biochemical treatment system. By using aerobic microorganisms to digest and remove methane from digestate, the invention eliminates the need for multiple screen separators and their associated complexity, while achieving effective solid and methane removal through biological processes.
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
Effectively reduces methane emissions, converts anaerobic liquid waste into valuable dry and liquid commodities, and reduces storage volume and labor costs by producing high-quality bedding and fertilizers from agricultural waste.
Implementation Method 1
aerobic microorganisms to remove methane from the digestate
Implementation Method 2
sloped screen separators
Implementation Method 3
separators include at least one screen capable of separating the demethanized digestate
Implementation Method 4
screw presses
Implementation Method 5
screw presses
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention generally relates to systems and methods for the separation and removal of methane from an agricultural methane digestate, for example, agricultural waste. The systems and methods include an extraction system that exposes the methane digestate to agricultural commodities and a microbial additives resulting in products that can be recycled.